"The market in India is very important for Gulfstream, and we are seeing increased interest in the region."

Gulfstream has delivered 200+ special missions aircraft to support governments and militaries in more than 40 countries. It's also the leader in business jet segments having most advanced fleet meeting the requirements of its clients. In an exclusive interview, Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. shares his thoughts with Vishal Kashyap, Managing Editor, Aviation World on special mission aircraft and its market size, the business jet segments, sustainability, thoughts for India and many more interesting issues. Excerpts of the interview:

- - Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.

What are the portfolios that Gulfstream Special Mission Aircraft caters to?

More than 200 Gulfstream special missions aircraft have been delivered to over 40 countries, including all branches of the U.S. military. A record number of deliveries and projects are currently underway in aeromedical transport, airborne research, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and airborne early warning.

What's the market size for special mission aircraft and where does Gulfstream position itself?

We see strong demand for Gulfstream's special missions business, and opportunities for growth exist across our product line. Gulfstream aircraft are ideal for special missions for the following reasons:

Gulfstream-modified aircraft help create an aircraft architecture that can easily accommodate shifting technologies and integrate the latest communications systems and command and control systems

Gulfstream's fleet offers compelling combinations of size and speed ideal for special missions Gulfstream also has the unique ability to manage aircraft modifications in-house with a dedicated team of engineers and professionals at our special missions facilities. Such modifications executed by Gulfstream include significant aircraft adaptations to support and accommodate specialized equipment necessary to address mission-critical needs.

Who are the potential customers for special mission aircraft and which segment of its operation is the most preferred one?