News Release
GULFSTREAM ASSISTS NASA WITH PREVENTION OF FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE
Gulfstream's Exemplary Safety Reputation Attracts Attention of U.S. Space Agency
SAVANNAH, Ga., Dec. 18, 2003 --Gulfstream Aerospace recently hosted a team comprising of representatives from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United Space Alliance (USA) - NASA's prime contractor for the Space Shuttle processing contract - to share its safety practices and experience in protecting aircraft from foreign object damage (FOD).
Based at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., the NASA and USA joint team spent a day last month at Gulfstream's Savannah, Ga. aircraft manufacturing facility to benchmark the business jet manufacturer's safety practices with focus on FOD prevention.
Following the visit, discussions were under way for a team of 8-10 Gulfstream employees, well versed in FOD prevention, to visit the space center early next year. There, NASA and USA representatives can share with the Gulfstream employees the best practices of their FOD prevention program as well. The U.S. Government's three Space Shuttles - Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavor - are prepared, launched and maintained at the Kennedy Space Center.
"We are honored to support our country's space program by sharing our best practices, which were developed to prevent damage to customer aircraft during the initial and final phases of production," said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream. "Even though safety is ingrained in every aspect of our business, we continually seek to do better personally and as an organization. It's gratifying to know that NASA and other entities recognize our efforts."
Based on injury statistics collected at the U.S. Bureau of Labor, Gulfstream has had the best safety record in the "Aircraft Manufacturing" category for the past four years.
Gulfstream's 1.3 million square-foot manufacturing facility in Savannah, Ga., produces five models of business jet aircraft - the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 and G500; the large-cabin, long-range G450 and G400; and the large-cabin, mid-range G300. All of these aircraft models are built at the Savannah site, but the interior outfitting is performed at Savannah and three other Gulfstream facilities in Long Beach, Ca., Appleton, Wis. and Brunswick, Ga.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world's most technologically advanced business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,400 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100™; the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G300™; the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G400™; the large-cabin, long-range G450™; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500™ and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550™. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 6,750 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 66,900 people worldwide and estimates 2003 revenues of $16.1 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission-critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at www.generaldynamics.com.
