Will Gulfstream G650 overtake Citation X as world's fastest civil aircraft?

Gulfstream officials claim its new Gulfstream 650 business jet will be the world’s fastest civil aircraft. During a test flight Sunday, the plane flew shy of the sound barrier at Mach. 0.925, or 704 miles per hour.

Cessna Aircraft has long said its Citation X business jet is currently the fastest civil aircraft flying at Mach .92, or 700 miles per hour.

Gulfstream announced the G650 program in March 2008. Spirit AeroSystems builds the wings for the aircraft.

This story was originally published May 3, 2010 at 10:43 AM with the headline "Will Gulfstream G650 overtake Citation X as world's fastest civil aircraft?."