Gulfstream Aerospace continues to eye the end of 2023 for FAA certification of its new G700 ultra-long range business jet, the company said Dec. 20.

On the other end of its product line-up, the company is monitoring the situation in Israel, where its G280 midsize jet is built by Israel Aerospace Industries  (IAI).

Gulfstream officials reiterated in November that its goal was to certify and begin deliveries of the G700 before the end of 2023. At the time, five aircraft had logged 5,000 hr. in the flight test program, four of which had finished their part of the flying. The final aircraft was beginning functional reliability testing, testing in which the FAA flies with Gulfstream pilots to carry out normal missions.

As of Dec. 12, besides the prototypes, seven additional G700s have flown, according to Aviation Week Network data. A number of unfinished G700s, minus the engines, are at Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, with serial numbers into the high 30s, the data shows.

Gulfstream has increased the G700’s range to 7,750 nm at Mach .85. At Mach .9, it can fly 6,600 and has a maximum speed of Mach .935.

Certification has stretched longer than expected, largely due to accidents involving Boeing’s 737 MAX, which resulted in the FAA changing its certification requirements.

In Israel, which is in a war with Hamas, Gulfstream remains in touch with Israeli-based Israel Aerospace Industries, a Gulfstream spokesperson said in a statement. There, G280 facilities remain open, and production continues.

“The safety of our employees, partners and customers is our greatest priority,” Gulfstream said in a statement. “Production continues to advance, and aircraft have departed from IAI’s site in Tel Aviv to our Dallas Completions Center.”

Since October after the conflict began, five G280s have left the factory for completion in Dallas, according to Aviation Week Network data. As of mid-December, Gulfstream has delivered 21 G280s during 2023.