Gulfstream Introduces the All-New Gulfstream G650

Business Wire, March 13, 2008

Flagship Jet Is The Largest, Most Technologically Advanced Aircraft In Gulfstream Fleet

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), today announced the introduction of an all-new business jet: the Gulfstream G650. With its ultra-large cabin and ultra-long range, the G650 establishes a new price and performance point for business-jet aircraft.

The G650 offers the longest range, fastest speed, largest cabin and the most-advanced cockpit in the Gulfstream fleet. It is capable of traveling 7,000 nautical miles at 0.85 Mach or 5,000 nautical miles at 0.90 Mach. Using an advanced aerodynamic design, the G650 has a maximum operating speed of 0.925 Mach, which will make it the fastest civil aircraft flying. It can climb to a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet, allowing it to avoid airline-traffic congestion and adverse weather.

"This is an exciting time in Gulfstream's history," said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream Aerospace. "For 50 years, our company has been on the forefront of business-jet aviation. I can think of no better way to celebrate our golden anniversary than to introduce the Gulfstream G650. Created with significant input from customers who participate in our Advanced Technology Customer Advisory Team, a subset of our Customer Advisory Board, the G650 offers the most advanced flight deck and the widest array of cabin comforts. Its performance and aesthetics are unprecedented."

Gulfstream expects to begin G650 customer deliveries in 2012. Based on the aircraft development schedule, the company projects it will receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification and validation by the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) in 2011. First flight of the aircraft is scheduled for the second half of 2009.

Enhanced Cabin Environment

Comfort figures prominently into the G650. The unfinished aircraft cabin measures 102 inches wide and 77 inches high, making it the largest business-jet cabin. The extra space allows for a longer living area, more seat recline, expanded leg room and increased stateroom capabilities as well as larger galleys, lavatories, storage and crew rest areas. An 84-inch-wide floor provides for larger seats, wider aisles and the ability to seat three across.

The G650 provides the most comfortable and productive cabin environment. A cabin altitude of 4,850 feet at FL510 and 2,800 feet at FL410 reduces fatigue, increases mental alertness and enhances productivity, while a quieter cabin provides a more comfortable environment for conversation or relaxation. The aircraft's advanced environmental control system features quieter air distribution and independently vented lavatories. The G650's new 16 cabin windows, measuring 28 inches by 20.5 inches, are the largest in the industry, providing for even more natural light and visually expanding the aircraft's already spacious interior.

Gulfstream's Cabin Essential[R] design philosophy means all of the G650's major cabin systems have been designed with redundancy so a single-point failure will not result in the loss of cabin functionality. That means a toilet always flushes; water is always available; and an entertainment source always works.

The PlaneView[R] Cockpit

The G650 features the most technologically advanced PlaneView[R] II cockpit with a number of enhancements including: four 14-inch, adaptive, liquid-crystal displays; three standard PlaneBook[R] computer tablets; a smaller pedestal; a standby multifunction controller that combines current display controller functionality with standby flight instruments; and a fully automatic, three-dimensional scanning weather radar with an integral terrain database for efficient ground-clutter elimination.

In addition, the G650 uses state-of-the-art vision systems to improve both pilot situational awareness and flight safety. These standard systems include the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS II), the Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD) system and Head-Up Display (HUD II). Gulfstream is the first Part 25 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to provide its customers with both enhanced and synthetic vision systems. Kollsman (EVS II), Honeywell (SV-PFD) and Rockwell Collins (HUD II) are major suppliers to Gulfstream on these three systems.

Working in concert, the EVS II and SV-PFD provide pilots with a superior view of the terrain, obstacles and approaches, regardless of the weather conditions outside the cockpit. EVS uses a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera to capture real-world images and project them on the pilot's all-digital HUD II, while the SV-PFD uses three-dimensional, color terrain images that are derived from data stored in the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS).

"The Gulfstream G650 uses state-of-the-art avionics to give operators a visual edge," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. "But the G650's advances extend beyond the cockpit. Every element of this aircraft was designed with safety, reliability, comfort, productivity and performance in mind."