News Release

GULFSTREAM GV BUSINESS JET FLIES WITH NASA’s SYNTHETIC VISION SYSTEM
NASA Chooses Gulfstream GV Business Jet as Platform to Evaluate Advanced Vision Systems

SAVANNAH, Ga., June 29, 2004 – A Gulfstream GV business jet recently flew with pilots controlling the aircraft with NASA’s experimental Synthetic Vision System (SVS). Using a combination of Head-up (HUD) and Head-down displays, an advanced multi-scan weather radar, advanced sensors, a voice-recognition system and cockpit displays with computer-generated images of the terrain, pilots flew approaches solely using SVS.

In addition to NASA’s SVS, a Runway Incursion Prevention System (RIPS) also is being tested and evaluated aboard the GV. Both experimental programs are part of NASA’s Aviation Safety and Security Program, which researches and evaluates new onboard systems that improve a pilot’s situational awareness, resulting in reduced incidents of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) and runway incursions.

Gulfstream, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), provided the GV aircraft as the platform to NASA, which is evaluating the benefits and issues surrounding synthetic vision as well as the effectiveness of various synthetic vision presentations to the pilot. NASA’s findings will assist the aviation industry with the creation of new advanced vision products.

Serving as an airborne laboratory, the modified large-cabin, ultra-long-range GV took off from the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Virginia at approximately 11 a.m., June 22. Gulfstream Senior Production Test Pilot Chip King served as the pilot-in-command and flew with NASA-designated pilot Mike Norman who evaluated the SVS. With his side of the cockpit windshield intentionally veiled, Norman flew approaches to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility using the computer-generated graphical information displayed on an LCD monitor and on the HUD. During this critical part of the flight, King kept watch over the flight path, relying on visual sight and traditional instrumentation to ensure flight safety. The GV flew for a few hours, landing at around 1 p.m.

Also onboard the aircraft were six NASA researchers and a Gulfstream flight-test engineer. From workstations set up in the cabin, they monitored the multiple systems to determine the accuracy of the terrain database, the responsiveness of the pilots to the information displayed and the sensitivity level of the sensors and radars used to detect obstructions not present within the database.

“We are proud to take part in this advanced vision system development program,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “Like NASA, we’re very concerned with improving pilot situational awareness, as evidenced by our development of the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS).”

Gulfstream spent 7-1/2 years, from research to field, developing EVS, which in September, 2001, was the first of its type certified by the FAA. Its value as a safety system, which enables pilots to see terrain, runways and approaches that otherwise are undetectable by the naked eye, was validated by the FAA earlier this year when it amended FAR Part 91. The rule-change allows pilots to use EVS and similar vision systems to operate aircraft below decision height, decision altitude or minimum descent altitude to determine flight visibility.

NASA’s current flight-test program mirrors that of Gulfstream’s flight-test program when the business-jet manufacturer was developing its EVS.

“NASA’s selection of Gulfstream to assist with this flight-test program was based on both our people and our aircraft,” said Henne. “The GV is a high-performing and robust aircraft, with industry-leading dispatch reliability. Our test pilots and flight-test engineers have spent thousands of hours in the air analyzing, assessing and reporting the functionality of new aircraft systems. We appreciate NASA’s demonstrated recognition of our expertise in this area and we look forward to supporting their efforts in the weeks ahead.”

The GV will continue flight-testing at Wallops through the beginning of July. During this phase of the flight testing program, NASA will fine-tune the RIPS and SVS in preparation for the second phase, which begins in mid-July in Reno, Nev. During the second phase, the GV will fly with evaluation pilots in a more challenging environment that includes mountain ranges and tall buildings. NASA and Gulfstream expect to complete all flight-testing by the end of August.

Between 1996 and 2002, Gulfstream manufactured 193 GV aircraft, which collectively have logged more than 335,000 flight hours and more than 153,000 takeoffs and landings. The GV holds more than 70 world and national aviation records. In 1997, the GV won the National Aeronautics Association’s prestigious Collier Trophy.

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 1,400 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, mid-range Gulfstream G350™; the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G400™; the large-cabin, long-range G450™; 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 6,750 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, Virginia, employs approximately 68,400 people worldwide and anticipates 2004 revenue of $19 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.