News Release
GULFSTREAM ADVANCES ‘CENTER OF EXCELLENCE’ FOR
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF
NEXT GENERATION VISION SYSTEMS
Gulfstream’s Savannah Aircraft Manufacturing
Facility Hosts NASA and Honeywell R&D Teams
Exploring New Vision System Concepts
SAVANNAH, Ga., July 19, 2004 – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (GD: NYSE), recently hosted two research and development teams, one from NASA and the other from Honeywell International, both of which are developing and evaluating concepts for next generation pilot vision systems.
Gulfstream's Savannah business-jet manufacturing facility is the ideal place to evaluate technologically advanced vision system concepts, according to Pres Henne, Gulfstream's senior vice president, programs, engineering and test.
"We are clearly becoming the center of excellence for advanced vision systems," Henne said. "It was here in Savannah where we developed, flight-tested and certified the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System, which was a huge technological leap in the field of vision-enhancing systems."
Gulfstream EVS was certified by the FAA on Sept. 14, 2001, following 7-1/2 years of research, development and testing. The first of its type to be so certified, the Gulfstream EVS enables pilots to see terrain, runways and approaches that otherwise are undetectable by unaided sight. Today, more than 100 EVS have been installed on six models of Gulfstream business-jet aircraft. EVS is standard equipment on the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550; an option on the G400, G300 and a retrofit on the GV, GIV and GIV-SP models. When Gulfstream begins customer deliveries of its newest long-range aircraft, the large-cabin G450 in the second quarter of 2005, Gulfstream EVS will be a standard option on that aircraft as well.
"The experience we gained during the development and testing phases of the EVS program provided us a comprehensive and systematic way in which to evaluate the effectiveness of new technological advancements in the cockpit," added Henne. "We are pleased to partner with both NASA and Honeywell in their efforts to develop safer aircraft operations."
NASA selected the Gulfstream GV business jet as the platform in which to evaluate its experimental Synthetic Vision System (SVS) and Runway Incursion Prevention System (RIPS). Both SVS and RIPS are part of NASA's Aviation Safety and Security Program, which researches and evaluates new onboard systems that improve a pilot's situational awareness, resulting in reduced incidents of controlled fight into terrain (CFIT) and runway incursions. NASA and Gulfstream began the seven-week flight-test program in June.
Also in June, Honeywell presented its company-proprietary vision system concept to Savannah to solicit feedback from Gulfstream pilots and engineers.
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, mid-range Gulfstream G350™; 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 68,400 people worldwide and anticipates 2004 revenue of $19 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.
