News Release

Gulfstream G550 Receives Federal Aviation Administration Provisional Type Certificate
G550's PlaneView™ Cockpit Features Industry-Exclusive Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System

Savannah, Ga., Dec 11, 2002 - Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE; GD) today announced that its flagship large-cabin, ultra-long-range business jet, the Gulfstream G550, has received a Provisional Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Provisional Type Certificate is subject to certain operational limitations that will be removed during the coming months, well in advance of the first Gulfstream G550 entering customer service. The G550 features the most advanced flight deck in corporate aviation. The PlaneView™ cockpit is an integrated avionics suite featuring four large liquid crystal displays that improves the readability of terrain maps, navigational and weather information, and primary flight data and also helps reduce crew workload and enhance efficiency and pilot situational awareness to further improve safety of flight. The PlaneView™ cockpit includes Gulfstream's Signature Cursor Control Devices.

The Gulfstream G550 standard equipment also includes the revolutionary Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System. The Gulfstream EVS, which is the first system of its kind to be certified by the FAA, significantly improves pilot situational awareness during conditions of reduced visibility, both in flight and on the ground.

"Introducing innovative technology requires that we work closely with the FAA to meet the new criteria for evaluation and certification," said Bill Boisture, president, Gulfstream. "The G550 Program Team has worked hard to meet each milestone, some of them even ahead of schedule. The efforts of the team are evident, the aircraft's performance is exceptional," continued Boisture.

"This marks the first certification of the revolutionary Honeywell Primus Epic architecture and puts Gulfstream and Honeywell in a strong leadership position," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream.

Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, each producing more than 15,000 pounds of thrust, the G550 can fly eight passengers and four crewmembers 6,750 nautical miles - the longest range available in a business jet. The G550 will fly non-stop from New York to Tokyo in 14 and one-half hours at altitudes up to 51,000 feet (15,545 meters), high above commercial air traffic, weather and adverse winds and permitting even more direct air traffic routing.

The comprehensive industry-exclusive Gulfstream 5-year Maintenance and Training Package and the competitive warranty program are just two of the many standard features offered with the G550. Owners of the Gulfstream G550 can choose from multiple cabin layouts and several customer-preferred option packages. The standard equipment and option packages combined with the proven reliability, safety, comfort and performance offer an exceptional combination of features that serve to enhance the customer's ability to tailor the aircraft to meet their individual mission needs. Customization packages are also available on the G550.

"We listened to our customers and developed the Gulfstream G550 to meet their demanding intercontinental transportation requirements," said Boisture. "The Gulfstream G550 is the ultimate business tool to support competitive world-wide business strategies."

The first production Gulfstream G550 rolled out in June, 2002 and successfully completed its first flight, a Gulfstream record breaking five-hour and one-minute test flight, in July, 2002. Designed and manufactured in Savannah, the Gulfstream G550 is the next generation aircraft to the highly successful Gulfstream V. The Gulfstream V achieved sales of almost 200 aircraft in the past five years and established more than 70 world and national aviation records during the same period.

 

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 1,300 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, long-range Gulfstream G400®; 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 7,800 people at eight 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 54,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2002 revenues of $14 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.