News Release
GULFSTREAM MARKS ENTRY-INTO-SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES FOR THE G550 AND THE GIV-SP
Aircraft Entered Service 10 Years Apart
SAVANNAH, Ga., September 17, 2008 Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), recently marked milestone entry-into-service anniversaries for the Gulfstream G550 and the Gulfstream GIV-SP. The first G550 entered service five years ago, on Sept. 17, 2003. The first GIV-SP entered service 10 years earlier, on Sept. 15, 1993.
Gulfstream introduced the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 in September 2002. The business jet received its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type and Production certificates on Aug. 14, 2003, making it the first time in Gulfstream history that both certificates were received on the same day.
The G550 features twin Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, each of which provides 15,385 pounds of thrust. The G550 has a range of 6,750 nautical miles and a maximum speed of Mach 0.885. It has established almost 40 city-pair speed records and is the most technologically advanced in-service aircraft in the Gulfstream fleet. As of June 30, 2008, the 182 G550/G500 aircraft in service had a dispatch reliability rate of 99.86 percent.
In May 2004, the G550 development team received the 2003 Collier Trophy for the technological advances and safety enhancements featured in the design of the G550. The trophy is the most prestigious aviation award in North America.
Ten years before the G550’s debut in 2002, Gulfstream introduced the GIV-SP, an enhanced version of the GIV. This “special performance” GIV aircraft featured an increased takeoff and landing weight that allowed for heavier payloads and more flexibility in outfitting. It also included an upgraded landing package with a new braking system and improved wheels and tires.
On March 3, 1993, the GIV-SP earned a place in the world record books for the first time. Crewed by Bob Kirksey, Sandi Glittenberg and Wayne Altman, the “Spirit of Savannah” flew 5,918 miles from Tokyo to Albuquerque, N.M., in 10 hours and 12 minutes at an average speed of 579.87 miles per hour. The GIV/GIV-SP has subsequently established 84 world speed and performance records, including both eastbound and westbound around-the-world speed records.
The GIV-SP features two Rolls-Royce Tay Mk611-8 engines, each of which supplies 13,850 pounds of thrust. The GIV-SP possesses a maximum range of 4,220 nautical miles and a maximum speed of Mach 0.88. It has accrued more than 3.1 million flight hours and completed more than 1.5 million landings. As of June 30, 2008, the business jet had a dispatch reliability rate of 99.89 percent.
The GIV/GIV-SP was manufactured for 16 years, with the last of the 535 GIV/GIV-SP family entering service on Sept. 13, 2003. Gulfstream fashioned two of its current in-production business-jet aircraft – the long-range G450 and the mid-range G350 – after the GIV/GIV-SP design. The GIV/GIV-SP remains the best-selling large-cabin, long-range business jet in its class.
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 some 1,800 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 large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range 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 Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 9,700 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, Va., employs approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of approximately $29.5 billion. 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.
