Gulfstream Aerospace unveiled plans for its most ambitious private business jet to date at its factory in Savannah, Georgia on 13 March – the Gulfstream 650. With a top speed of 704 miles an hour (or approximately 315 m/s), the G650 with a range of 7,000 nautical miles, just missed the sound barrier. But it will still whisk you from New York to London non-stop in a matter of a few hours.

The spacious G650 cabin seats 18, has a full kitchen and bar, individual entertainment, satellite phone service and wireless Internet access. The best part is, the plane offers 28-inch wide "panoramic" windows, though this raised initial concerns over the dangers of the windows shattering when the plane flies at an altitude of 51,000 feet (or more than 15,500 meters).

The G650 will be powered by two Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, which according to a Gulfstream spokesperson, are purportedly more powerful than their predecessors, the BR710, and yet cut fuel consumption and emissions.

The G650 has been listed at US$58.5 million, but taking into account a pre-payment arrangement, the total cost could rise to almost US$65 million. Though this is unlikely to deter some billionaire sheikh from the oil-rich Gulf states from reaching for their chequebooks, the scheduled delivery time of 2012 will take some patience.

via www.nysun.com