A Strategic Partnership for A Noble Cause
The aircraft will fly for the Japan Coast Guard supporting surveillance and rescue missions. In a significant collaboration, Fokker Services Group (“Fokker”), a distinguished name in aircraft completions and conversions, has proudly secured the EASA Supplement Type Certificate (STC) for a special mission project. This project, a joint effort with Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. (“Gulfstream”) and Marubeni Aerospace Corporation (“Marubeni”), serves the Japan Coast Guard’s noble cause. The partnership focuses on the full transformation of a Gulfstream G550 aircraft into a state-of-the-art maritime surveillance platform.
Technical Excellence and Long-standing Relationships
Under the umbrella of Fokker’s Aircraft Completion & Conversion business unit, the Gulfstream G550 has been meticulously converted to support the Japanese coastal authority’s surveillance and search & rescue missions, including environmental risk monitoring. This conversion leverages Fokker’s proven expertise and its rich history of excellence in aircraft modification. Gulfstream, delivering the aircraft from its global headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, USA, alongside the project partners, has equipped the aircraft with advanced surveillance technology, enhancing its long-distance rescue capabilities. The collaboration between Gulfstream, Fokker, and the Japan Coast Guard, which began over two decades ago with the Gulfstream GV, underscores the depth of this partnership.
Robert Koolen, Sales Director of Aircraft Completion and Conversions at Fokker Services Group, emphasized the complexity of integrating onboard detection equipment and sensors, a task made feasible by Fokker’s extensive expertise and comprehensive capabilities. Roland van Dijk, CEO of Fokker Services Group, highlighted the pride and challenge in being chosen for this prestigious project, underlining the critical balance of engineering, structural modifications, and certification in collaboration with various stakeholders. The successful issuance of an EASA approved STC for a Special Mission G550 marks a milestone for Fokker, contributing significantly to the Japan Coast Guard’s mission.
