GULFSTREAM ANNOUNCES EVEN MORE CAPABLE G450

Payload And Range Improvement Will Be Standard

SAVANNAH, Ga., October 18, 2010 - Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced today it has improved the payload-carrying capability and performance of its large-cabin, long-range G450. 

By increasing the aircraft’s maximum takeoff (MTOW) and maximum ramp weight (MRW), a 700-pound (318 kg) weight increase in the payload with full fuel - from 1,800 (816 kg) to 2,500 pounds (1,134 kg) - is possible.  The MTOW is now 74,600 pounds (33,838 kg), while the MRW is 75,000 (34,019 kg).  The benefit of this enhancement is the G450’s ability to now carry 12 passengers with a maximum fuel load.

For a payload of 12 passengers traveling at the long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.80, the G450’s range is 4,270 nautical miles (7,908 km), up from 4,170 (7,723 km).  The aircraft’s range with eight passengers traveling at Mach 0.80 remains at 4,350 nautical miles (8,061 km).

"The extra weight gives the aircraft more flexibility and addresses the need of operators to carry more passengers and baggage," said Pres Henne, Gulfstream senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test.  "Additional range at higher payloads is always beneficial. These enhancements make an excellent airplane even better."

Gulfstream will incorporate the modification in production aircraft beginning in the first quarter of 2011.  In-service aircraft can be modified through an aircraft service change (ASC).

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay Mk 611-8C engines, the G450 can fly eight passengers 4,350 nautical miles (8,061 km) nonstop at speeds of up to Mach 0.80. From Atlanta, the G450 can fly nonstop to Anchorage, Sao Paulo, Dakar, Geneva or Helsinki. One of the most dependable aircraft in its class, the G450 has a dispatch reliability rate of 99.89 percent. The G450 features PlaneView ®, the most advanced flight deck in its class, and the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS) as standard equipment.

 

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 1,900 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 new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250®; 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 Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 9,000 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our website for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,000 people worldwide. 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 General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.