GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE UNVEILS FIRST PRODUCTION GV-SP
Newest Business Jet To Display First Flight Centennial® Emblem
SAVANNAH, Ga., June 19, 2002 - Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation today unveiled its first production Gulfstream V-SP (GV-SP), serial number 5001. Everyone at the company's Savannah facility was invited to attend the unveiling. Aircraft 5001, buffed to a high gloss, was also chosen to launch the news of Gulfstream's role as an official sponsor of the First Flight Centennial® celebrations, scheduled to take place between now and Dec. 17, 2003.
"We're proud to combine the introduction of 5001, the first GV-SP, with the unveiling of our support for the 100th anniversary of flight," said Bill Boisture, president, Gulfstream Aerospace. "As Gulfstream nears its half-century mark, we continue to embody the passion for flight, leadership, innovation and excellence ignited by the Wright brothers one hundred years ago."
Gulfstream is an official sponsor of the First Flight Centennial, organized to commemorate the Wright brothers' first powered flight on Dec. 17, 1903. Proceeds from First Flight Centennial sponsors and events will help fund improvements at the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; help develop and coordinate the First Flight Centennial event at the memorial site in December 2003; and help share the story of the Wright brothers and their achievements through specific events and activities.
The Wright brothers' first flight covered 120 feet in 12 seconds, while their fourth flight that same December day covered 852 feet and lasted 59 seconds. The distance traveled in the fourth flight established a record that stood for four years.
Nearly a century after the Wright brothers' famous first flight, Gulfstream has introduced the world's most technologically advanced business jet, the GV-SP. With a cruising speed of .80 Mach, a range of 6,750 miles and altitude of 51,000 feet, the GV-SP can fly non-stop from
New York to Tokyo.
"The advances in aviation since the Wright brothers flew their airplane have been astounding. There have been changes in technology, but the spirit that was created on Dec. 17, 1903 lives on in every pilot and aviation engineer, designer, mechanic and technician," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test. "Today's celebration is a fitting tribute to the Gulfstream employees who have worked hard to ensure the GV-SP exceeds our customers' expectations."
In addition to performance, the GV-SP sets the World Standard™ in safety. The Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System™ (EVS), the first of its kind to be certified by the FAA for business jet aircraft, significantly improves pilot situational awareness during conditions of reduced visibility and at night by providing the pilot an optical image that includes runway markings, taxiways, adjacent roads and surrounding landscape. Standard on all GV-SPs and available on GVs, the Gulfstream EVS recently has been installed in a "C-37A," the U.S. Air Force designation for the GV, enhancing the safety of its VIP passengers who include military commanders in chief, presidential staff and dignitaries.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, designs, develops, manufactures, markets and services the world's most technologically advanced business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,300 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the aviation needs of its customers, Gulfstream offers a full range of aircraft products and services, including the Gulfstream 100®, Gulfstream 200®, Gulfstream IV-SP®, the ultra-long range Gulfstream V® and Gulfstream V-SP®, Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 7,800 people at eight 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 52,000 people worldwide and had 2001 revenues of $12 billion. The company has leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at www.generaldynamics.com