News Release

GULFSTREAM G450 PROGRAM ON TRACK FOR FAA TYPE CERTIFICATION NEXT YEAR
Gulfstream's Most Ambitious Flight-Test Program Employs Four Test Aircraft

Editor's Note: For a digital photo of the G450, please email your request to julie.mccoy@gulfstream.com

SAVANNAH, Ga., Dec. 8, 2003 -- In its most ambitious aircraft flight-test program ever, Gulfstream Aerospace has logged more than 400 hours of flight-testing in just six months as it continues to develop its newest business jet, the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450. Gulfstream began the G450 development program under a blanket of secrecy in 2001 while it was still developing the recently certified large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 business jet.

The G450 prototype aircraft completed its first test flight April 30, 2003. Since then, the G450 flight-test program has added three more test aircraft, allowing Gulfstream to evaluate multiple aspects of the aircraft simultaneously. Effective Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, the four G450 test aircraft have completed 117 flights, testing aerodynamic performance and handling characteristics, engine and APU operations, and systems performance.

"We're extremely pleased with the tremendous progress we've made so far," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test. "By overlapping the development with the G550, we were able to take full advantage of our lessons learned and avoid any potential setbacks. We're focused. We're on schedule and are working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Joint Aviation Authorities/European Aviation Safety Agency to obtain approval on schedule."

In tests conducted so far, Gulfstream test pilots have surpassed the G450's published specifications in a number of areas. The test aircraft reached an altitude of 49,100 feet - 4,100 feet higher than the G450's listed maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet. The aircraft has been flown out to 0.95 Mach, exceeding the maximum dive speed of 0.93 Mach. At 396 knots or 0.95 Mach, the G450 test aircraft flew far beyond the listed maximum operating airspeed of 340 knots or 0.88 Mach. Finally, in evaluating handling qualities, the aircraft has been operated at extreme forward and aft center of gravity (CG) limits. Gulfstream has already completed a number of FAA demonstrations, including flutter and engine testing.

Each of the four test aircraft is assigned specific areas of the development and test program. The first aircraft is dedicated to range and field performance and engine testing, including Part 36 Fly-Over Noise testing. The second aircraft is instrumented to evaluate new APU and numerous system enhancements. The third aircraft is assigned the validation of the PlaneView™ flight deck systems while the fourth is scheduled to conduct testing for Function and Reliability and Cold Weather.

Introduced in early October at the National Business Aviation Association's Annual Meeting and Convention, the G450 is well on its way receiving Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification in the third quarter of 2004 and European Aviation Safety Authority validation in the fourth quarter of 2004. Gulfstream expects to begin G450 customer deliveries during the second quarter of 2005.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

(i). The Gulfstream G450
The G450 was designed for optimal performance, ease of operation, safety, passenger and crew comfort and reliability.

Compared to its predecessor the Gulfstream IV-SP, the G450, with its newly improved Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8C engine, has increased operating margins, increased thrust for improved takeoff and climb performance and improved fuel efficiency. In addition to improved performance, the new engines have extended maintenance intervals - 6,000 hours midlife and 12,000 hours for full overhaul.

In addition to improved performance, the G450 was designed to reduce pilot workload while increasing passenger and crew safety. The revolutionary PlaneView flight deck has supplanted the "dials and steam gauges" technology that has dominated the business jet cockpit for the past 20 years. PlaneView incorporates the most advanced computer software, hardware and display technologies available, married with the latest in infrared technology and resulting in a cockpit where all flight information-navigation, aircraft systems, communication and pilot situational awareness - is just a cursor click away.

Designed by pilots for pilots, PlaneView is unique in its blending of state-of-the-art technology and its simplicity in its presentation of information. PlaneView features four large, liquid crystal displays - the largest display area available in a business jet, Honeywell's Head-Up Display and Primus Epic® avionics suite, the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS) and Gulfstream's signature Cursor Control Device. Employing cutting-edge engineering and design to gather, input, organize and display flight essential information, PlaneView is unlike other computer-based flight decks that can bombard pilots with too much information. Gulfstream pilots purposely designed PlaneView to display only the information that is most useful to them during specific phases of flight, thus minimizing their workload in the cockpit and allowing them to focus totally on the task at hand.

Standard on the G450 is the Gulfstream EVS, which provides pilots unparalleled level of situational awareness in reduced visibility conditions. Developed in cooperation with Kollsman Inc., the system was certified by the FAA in December 2001 for use on a Gulfstream business jet and addresses many of the issues raised in the FAA's Safer Skies Agenda. EVS enables the flight crew to see runway markings, taxiways, adjacent roads and surrounding areas in conditions of limited visibility. The system also helps crews avoid runway incursion and hazards that would otherwise not be easily visible.

Also important in the development of the G450 was the comfort of the passengers and crew. With the PlaneView flight deck came smaller avionics components that took up less space. One foot longer than the GIV/G400/G300 cockpit, the G450 cockpit has the increased comfort and usable workspace of Gulfstream's larger aircraft. Additionally, Gulfstream relocated avionics equipment forward of the cabin door to improve access to the cabin and create more usable space for passengers. With three distinct living areas, the G450 provides seating for up to 14 passengers and comes fully appointed.

The G450 was developed with reliability in mind. By addressing and upgrading those GIV/G400/G300 systems that historically have required the most attention in the service hangar, Gulfstream expects the G450 will surpass the GIV's impressive 99.7 percent dispatch reliability rate. The G450 system upgrades include the electrical power system, auxiliary power unit, environmental control system, cabin pressurization system, passive door seal, flight controls, brakes and nose wheel steering.

Additionally, the G450 pilot type rating is expected to be the same as the G550 pilot type rating with a minimal amount of additional training on the different engine models.

(ii). 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, 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.

(iii). General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 66,900 people worldwide and estimates 2003 revenues of $16.1 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission-critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at www.generaldynamics.com.