GULFSTREAM G650 CLOSING IN ON CERTIFICATION

Test Fleet Has Completed Aircraft-Level Testing

SAVANNAH, Ga., August 15, 2012 — Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilots have completed all the scheduled flying required for the certification program for Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650. In addition, the European Aviation Safety Agency test team finished the flight testing required for its validation of the FAA’s type certification.
                                                                  
The G650 received a provisional type certificate from the FAA on Nov. 18, 2011, and is in the process of completing the final certification tests with the FAA to support entry-into-service later this year. As of July, the test fleet had flown more than 3,800 hours during more than 1,160 flights.

The final certification tests included completing the field performance tests, evaluating the aircraft’s performance in natural icing conditions and conducting function and reliability testing.

“These aircraft are accumulating considerable flight time and are returning with minimum aircraft issues,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “The maturity of this program gives us the assurance that the aircraft we deliver to our customers will be of the highest quality standards expected from a Gulfstream.”

The aircraft already has set two city-pair speed records. It flew from Burbank, Calif., to Savannah in just 3 hours and 26 minutes. The aircraft accomplished this at speeds between Mach 0.91 and 0.92, with a brief segment at the aircraft’s maximum operating Mach number of 0.925. Its average ground speed was more than 550 knots. Its maximum ground speed en route was more than 660 knots.

The second city-pair record came when the aircraft made its first trans-Atlantic crossing, flying from Washington, D.C., to Geneva at speeds from Mach 0.90 to Mach 0.92. The aircraft made the journey in 6 hours and 55 minutes.

 

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 2,000 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 new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G280®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream 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 Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 12,500 people at 12 major locations. We invite you to visit our website for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 93,500 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 the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.