SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced today that it has delivered its first super mid-sized G280 aircraft. The fully outfitted business jet went to a U.S.-based manufacturer with a worldwide presence spanning 190 countries.

The best-in-class G280 aircraft earned type certificates from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel on Aug. 30.

"Gulfstream is excited to deliver this aircraft to a dedicated customer who has worked so closely with us on the G280 program," said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Gulfstream. "In preparation for our first deliveries of this aircraft, we took a G280 to several fixed base operators around the United States, so their employees could familiarize themselves with the handling requirements for the G280. That was just one of several efforts intended to ensure a smooth entry-into-service for this aircraft.

"This is an illustrious occasion that signifies the beginning of full-scale G280 manufacturing.  We congratulate the G280 design and build teams, our suppliers and our customers for their tremendous contributions to the G280 program. It won't be long before we're seeing the G280 landing and taking off at airports around the world." 

The G280, a joint effort between Gulfstream and Israel Aerospace Industries, offers the most comfortable cabin and the longest range at the fastest speed in its class.  With its fuel-efficient Honeywell HTF250G engines, the aircraft has a range of 3,600 nautical miles (6,667 km) at Mach 0.80. This makes it the only super mid-sized aircraft that can reliably fly nonstop between London and New York.

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 2,000 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 new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G280^®; the large-cabin, long-range G450^®; 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 12,500 people at 12 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 93,700 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.

SOURCE Gulfstream Corporation