News Release
GULFSTREAM'S REVOLUTIONARY ENHANCED VISION SYSTEM RECEIVES FAA CERTIFICATION
STC Approves EVS for GV Ultra-Long Range Business Jet Aircraft
Savannah, Georgia - October 16, 2001 - Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration to install the revolutionary Enhanced Vision System on the Gulfstream V ultra-long range business jet aircraft.
The FAA-issued Supplemental Type Certificate allows Gulfstream to offer EVS as an option on new GV ultra-long range business jet aircraft and also to install the system as a retrofit on in-service GV aircraft.
"The EVS is a revolutionary safety enhancement for operators of Gulfstream V business jet aircraft," said Bill Boisture, Gulfstream president and chief operating officer. "Offered exclusively by Gulfstream, it significantly improves situational awareness for flight crews and provides instant access to the information needed to make safe flying decisions in adverse weather and low-visibility conditions."
Gulfstream has integrated the enhanced vision technology onboard the revolutionary Gulfstream V-SP; it is a standard component of its exclusive PlaneView® cockpit. Next month Gulfstream will begin to design and test EVS for retrofit on in-service Gulfstream IV business jet aircraft. EVS will be offered as an option on all new Gulfstream IV-SP business jet aircraft. Certification for the GIV is expected by mid-year 2002.
"EVS and the exclusive PlaneView cockpit represent two more revolutionary firsts by a company that is already known for taking the leadership role in product development," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs.
The EVS incorporates a unique sensor system based on Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology developed and manufactured by Kollsman Inc., Merrimack, NH. The EVS sensor projects an infrared, real-world conformal image on Honeywell's Head-Up
Display in the cockpit. The image enables a pilot to see through fog and darkness. In-service GVs outfitted with HUD can be retrofitted with EVS to achieve the same safety enhancements.
The FAA's Safer Skies initiative has identified several situations that cause accidents, including deteriorating weather conditions, controlled flights into terrain, runway incursions and mistakes during approaches and landings. EVS can assist with each of these volatile situations. Enhancing vision during adverse weather conditions, darkness or obstructed landings significantly reduces the margin for error.
"As part of our FAA certification flight testing last month, three pilots and an FAA flight test engineer flew 80 approaches using EVS during the day and at night in all kinds of weather conditions," said Mike Mena, program manager for the GV-SP and EVS. "The Gulfstream flight crew, pilots Ron Newton and Gary Freeman and Flight Test Engineer Bill Osborne, flew the aircraft over mountains at night to show the FAA how well EVS detects terrain. EVS met or exceeded all expectations during this testing, successfully meeting the demanding FAA certification criteria. Thanks to their expertise and knowledge, our team was able to demonstrate EVS to the fullest extent possible."
"There's a lot of demand for the EVS," Mena added. "To date, we've sold about 35 Enhanced Vision Systems for GV retrofit installation. This number does not include the systems that will be installed as standard equipment on the GV-SP business jet aircraft." Gulfstream service centers will begin EVS retrofit installations on in-service GVs in the first quarter of 2002.
NOTE TO EDITOR
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), designs, develops, manufactures and markets the world's most technologically advanced intercontinental business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,200 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the aviation needs of its customers, Gulfstream offers a full range of aircraft products and services, including the Gulfstream 100®, Gulfstream 200®, Gulfstream IV-SP®, the ultra-long range Gulfstream V® and Gulfstream V-SP®, Gulfstream Shares®, Gulfstream Financial Services®, Gulfstream Lease®, Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®, Gulfstream Charter Services®, Gulfstream Management Services® and Gulfstream ServiceCare®. The company employs more than 8,750 people at eight locations. We invite you to visit our Web site at www.gulfstream.com for photos of Gulfstream aircraft and related information.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 49,000 people and anticipates 2001 sales of approximately $11.5 billion. The company has leading market positions in business aviation, information systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and land and amphibious combat systems. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.
