News Release

DEVELOPMENT TEST AIRCRAFT ENTERS GULFSTREAM V-SP MODIFICATION PROGRAM
GV-SP "Test Article" is on Schedule for a 4th Quarter 2001 First Flight

Avalon, Australia, Feb. 13, 2001 - The Gulfstream V-SP development schedule has reached a major milestone with the start of the flight test aircraft modification program. The test aircraft being modified will be the primary certification platform for the next-generation Gulfstream V-SP's advanced PlaneViewTM cockpit suite.

The GV-SP, a significantly updated version of the large-cabin, ultra-long-range GV business aircraft, will offer greater range, the largest cabin in its class, outfitting improvements and the most sophisticated avionics suite in the industry.

"The Gulfstream V-SP development program and associated aircraft systems have reached a level of maturity where we can begin modifying the flight test aircraft," said Pres Henne, Gulfstream's senior vice president of programs. "We are making excellent progress with the GV-SP program and we remain on schedule for a first test-article flight in the fourth quarter of 2001."

The GV-SP "test article" is one of three aircraft that will be used in the GV-SP flight test and certification program. Two modified GVs, including the test article, will incorporate some of the new systems and airframe enhancements for use in the flight test program. The third aircraft, to be completed next year, will be a full-production configured GV-SP.

Gulfstream expects Federal Aviation Administration certification followed by Joint Aviation Authorities verification of the GV-SP in the fourth quarter of 2002. The first customer delivery is planned for 2003.

The Gulfstream V-SP cockpit offers a group of advancements, named PlaneViewTM, to enhance the safety and reliability of the aircraft. The PlaneView cockpit suite is a series of integrated features that include a Honeywell visual guidance system (VGS), Gulfstream's revolutionary Enhanced Vision System (EVS), Gulfstream's signature cursor control device and Honeywell's Primus EpicTM flight instrumentation suite as standard equipment.

The four 14-inch liquid crystal displays provide an extraordinary variety of information to the pilot, including uplinked satellite weather, graphical flight planning and radio tuning, moving map displays with terrain and territorial boundaries, airport symbols, runway orientation, and departure and approach procedures. The displays are menu driven and directed by a sidemounted, cursor control device.

"The new, low-voltage displays will increase reliability by over 30 percent," said Henne. "The modular design of the avionics also will result in a significantly smaller and lighter system that helps increase usable cabin volume, affording a fourth living area in the cabin and room for two additional oval windows. Other changes allow a 25% increase in baggage area volume."

The Gulfstream V-SP will have a range of 6,750 nautical miles, a 250-mile improvement over the current GV. The range improvement provides extra margin not only on ultra-long-range flights, but also on shorter-range, higher-speed routes. The GV-SP will be capable of flying 5,000 nautical mile trips at a rapid .87 Mach - a 400-mile advantage -- and 6,000 nautical mile legs at .85 Mach - a 300-mile enhancement. Performance improvements are the result of greater efficiency of the Rolls-Royce BR-710 engines, airframe drag reduction and a reduction in the aircraft's empty weight.

The Gulfstream V-SP program represents the most successful new product launch in company history. The October 2000 sales launch resulted in orders for 27 GV-SP aircraft by the end of the year.

NOTE TO EDITOR

Gulfstream, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures and markets the world's most technologically advanced intercontinental business jet aircraft. The company has produced more than 1,200 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the aviation needs of its customers,
Gulfstream offers a full range of aircraft products and services, including the Gulfstream IV-SP®, the ultra-long range Gulfstream V®, Gulfstream Shares®, Gulfstream Financial Services, Gulfstream Lease®, Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®, Gulfstream Charter Services®, Gulfstream Management Services® and Gulfstream ServiceCare®. The company employs more than 8,300 people at eight locations. Our website at www.gulfstream.com contains photos of Gulfstream aircraft and related information.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., has leading market positions in shipbuilding and marine systems, land and amphibious combat systems, information systems, and business aviation. The corporation employs approximately 46,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2001 sales of approximately $11.5 billion. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.