News Release
GULFSTREAM RECEIVES FAA APPROVAL TO USE AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT SURVEILLANCE – CONTRACT
System Enhances Safety With Automatic Reporting Of Aircraft Position
SAVANNAH, Ga., March 27, 2009 – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) for oceanic and remote area waypoint reporting. Gulfstream is the first purpose-built business-jet manufacturer to receive such approval.
ADS-C allows an air traffic controller to initiate the tracking of an aircraft’s position from the ground using information sent at predetermined intervals from the jet’s onboard sensors. The system enhances safety by automatically reporting when an aircraft deviates from its cleared altitude and route. It also provides meteorological data from the aircraft sensors to the air traffic control system.
ADS-C is part of the Future Air Navigation System (FANS) data link application, which will also include Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC). Late last year, Gulfstream completed a full FANS flight across the Atlantic Ocean using CPDLC with ADS-C. The flight was the first of its kind for a purpose-built business jet.
ADS-C is available in the Gulfstream PlaneView® avionics system with Certifications Delta and Echo. Certification Delta is available as an upgrade for large-cabin, PlaneView-equipped Gulfstream aircraft, while Certification Echo is provided on current in-production aircraft. Additionally, ADS-C will be included with CPDLC in Certification Foxtrot, which is undergoing testing.
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 some 1,800 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 wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200®; the new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range G450®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550® and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 9,700 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, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.