thanks for helping me out!
My pleasure. Note however that the Gulfstream III SRA belongs to the Aviation Research Centre of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) of the Cabinet Secretariat, and not directly to the IAF.
do Gulfstream III SRA have same capabalities just like astor?
but please also share the knowledge that when did India sign a deal for Gulfstream III SRA?
A world of difference between the two: The Gulfstream III, as it was originally developed, is primarily an executive corporate transport aircraft (in an interesting piece of trivia, it was the first of its kind to fly over both poles). It's SRA version, the sole demo of which was sold to India in before the switch to the Gulfstream IV airframe was effected in 1987. The SRA was equipped with a maritime search radar (Texas Instrument's AN/APS-134), underfuselage Synthetic Aperture radar (Loral An/UPD-8) and reconnaissance equipment (CAI KS-146 Long Range Oblique Imaging Camera). However, my sources tell me that there exists (or existed simultaneously at one point) atleast one other Gulfstream III SRA (designated K-2961) with the ARC. Evidently, one of these (most likely the VT-ENR) was lost in a hanger collapse at Charbatia in 2006 and was damaged beyond repair. The K-2961 could well be a newer replacement for the VT-ENR (assuming it was the one lost) given that there are a few external structural differences between the two (
I attach images of both for your convenience).
As for its technical comparisons with the ASTOR, and their contrasted capabilities: The Gulfstream is powered by two Rolls-Royce Spey Mark 511-8 turbofan engines generating 11,400lbs of thrust, whereas the Sentinel operates on two Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710 turbo fan engines capable of generating 14,750 lbs of thrust. The GlfIII has a max speed of 936 kmph and a max range of 6880 kms as opposed to the Sentinel with a max speed of mach 0.89 (which at 40,000 ft above sea level- it's typical service height- translates into 1062.33 kmph) and a range of 11,390 kms. Internal fuel capacities of the Sentinel R.1 are 19,664 kgs. (and capable of mid-air refueling) as opposed to the GlfIII with a capacity of 13,227 kgs. The GlfIII has a significantly better altitude climb rate however of 1326 m/min compared to the Astor which has a climb rate of 436 m/min. Service ceilings compare at 45,000 ft for the Gulfstream and 51,000 ft. for the Astor; while thrust-to-weight ratios are 0.309 for the GlfIII and 0.301 for the Astor.
External dimensions of the two compare as follows:
Gulfstream III SRA
Length: 79.92 ft (24.36m)
Width: 68.83 ft (20.98m)
Height: 24.51 ft (7.47m)
Wingspan: 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m)
Astor
Length: 99 ft 5 in (30.31m)
Width:
Height: 27 ft (8.23m)
Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.51m)
And other specifications for the for the structure of the Gulfstream III SRA:
Accommodation: [2 (Crew) + 21] Capacity
Hardpoints: 0
Wing Area: 950 ft² (88.3 m²)
Empty Weight: 36,905lbs (16,740kg)
Max take-off weight (MTOW): 65,499lbs (29,710kg)
Useful load: 31,000 lb (14,061 kg)
...and the Bombadier Global Express, which is the airframe the Astor is based upon:
Accomadation: [Crew: Two (minimum) - four (typical)] + [8-19 passengers] capacity
Hardpoints: Unknown (
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09 - 0828.html)
Wing area: 1,022 ft² (94.9 m²)
Empty weight: 49,750 lb (22,600 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 98,000 lb (44,500 kg)
Useful load: 1,775 lb (w/full fuel) (805 kg)
As well as cabin specifications for the Astor that I was able to lay my hands on:
Cabin length: 48 ft 4 in (14.73 m)
Cabin max width (centerline): 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m)
Cabin max width (floorline): 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Cabin height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Cabin floor area: 335 ft² (31.1 m²)
NB: Read more on the history of the Gulfstream here:
http://www.gulfstream.com/history/