News Release
ULTRA-HIGH-SPEED INTERNET NOW CERTIFIED FOR GULFSTREAM GV BUSINESS-JET AIRCRAFT
Gulfstream Receives Second Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certificate for Its Broad Band Multi-Link System
SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 15, 2004 – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has received the necessary certification to offer its exclusive ultra-high-speed Internet connection on GV business-jet aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FFA) has issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the GV, which allows the Gulfstream Broad Band Multi-Link™ (BBML) system to be installed on all 186 ultra-long-range GV aircraft that comprise the fleet. In early October, the FAA issued a similar STC for the long-range GIV business jet - Gulfstream's first aircraft model to have Gulfstream BBML installed.
"Gulfstream is the first and only purpose-built business-jet manufacturer to currently offer in-flight Internet capability at data speeds up to 3.5 megabites per second, which is faster than what you'll find in most homes," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. "For those people who need to stay connected no matter where they are, including in a plane 45,000+ feet above the nearest fiber-optic network, this is an exciting option."
Through SKYLinkSM by ARINC Direct broadband service, access to the Internet is more than 10 times faster than the most widely used in-flight, "high-speed" data services. Costs for this service are also significantly lower than other data systems operating at a fraction of the speed.
Dedicated for business aviation use only, ARINC's SKYlink Ku-band service does not compete for time slots with commercial aircraft systems. Currently available over the United States, Ku-band availability is planned over the North Atlantic, Europe and the Middle East next year and over the Pacific in 2006, expanding its coverage area to more than 95 percent of the most frequently flown routes by business-jet operators.
FAA approval to install the Broad Band Multi-Link system on G550 and G500 aircraft is expected before the end of this year. For the G450 and G350, it is expected by the first quarter of next year. Gulfstream will begin system installations on customer aircraft, including aircraft from other business-jet manufacturers, pending issuance of ARINC's final SkyLink service license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. This is expected to occur in the second quarter of next year.
The Broad Band Multi-Link system comprises a dish antenna mounted under the tail radome of the aircraft; an antenna control unit; a transceiver router and Gulfstream's exclusive advanced cabin server. In addition to large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft, the BBML system will be available for installation on other business jet manufacturers' aircraft at Gulfstream's Appleton, Wis., and Dallas facilities.
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 G350™; 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 70,000 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.
