[2] However, during the mid-2000s, the company decided to embark on designing a jet-powered light aircraft; development work was carried out in relative secrecy at Grob's Tussenhausen-Mattsies facility.

[2] Both the wings and fuselage were composed of a rugged carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite, which were combined with a highly-reinforced undercarriage.

This undercarriage was equipped with anti-lock brakes, large wheels and low-pressure tyres, aimed at making the aircraft capable of hassle-free routine operations from austere and unimproved landing strips.

[2] The avionics were designed to accept various optional items, including an enhanced vision system, auto-throttle, emergency descent mode and an electronic flight bag.

[3][8] During November 2006, Grob stated that it had received significant interest in the development of a stretched variant of the aircraft being produced, including for surveillance purposes as a cost-effective alternative to the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle.

[10] On 29 November 2006, the second prototype was destroyed by a crash that resulted in the death of chief test pilot Gérard Guillaumaud; it had been performing a demonstration flight at the time of the accident.

[17] During September 2010, DAHER subsidiary SOCATA announced that it would be evaluating the G180 SPn during the next few months, and was considering the programme's acquisition from Allied Aviation Technologies.

[19] In late 2020 it was reported that Tata Advanced Systems of India had likely bought the intellectual property rights of the aircraft[20] for the development of a military variant to be offered to the Indian army as a signals intelligence gathering and surveillance platform.