Enhanced Vision System Flight Tests to Begin On the Gulfstream V.

SAVANNAH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 1999--

System Offers Major Advancement in Pilot Situational Awareness 

and Flight Safety

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (NYSE:GAC) announced today that proof of concept flight tests on the Gulfstream V Enhanced Vision System (EVS) will begin in July with final certification expected by the spring of 2000.

EVS is an infrared thermal imaging processing system that exactly overlays the real world, greatly improving the visual cues available to the pilot at night and in low visibility conditions. It is the first major breakthrough in precision approach and landing systems in nearly eighty years. The price is expected to be under $500,000 per system, with first availability spring 2000.

"Gulfstream's Enhanced Vision System is the most important advancement in aviation safety and airplane capability since the jet engine," said Gary Freeman, senior experimental test pilot and EVS program pilot of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. "It will significantly improve situational awareness in taxi and flight operations. The net result is increased overall safety."

The Gulfstream EVS produces an infrared image displayed on the Honeywell Head Up Display (HUD 2020). The Kollsman EVS camera uses the latest Indium Antimonide (InSb) sensor to see the runway lights through poor weather at the minimum approach altitude of 60 meters. The single sensor staring array camera observes IR radiation. The runway lights are observed through the fog and the background scene is observed and displayed on the Head Up or Head Down display.

In situations where airport visibility is greater than 220 meters, EVS will allow Gulfstream aircraft to realize effective Category II minimums (30meters) at Category I , II and III airports. Phase II of the program will allow approaches to as low as 15 meters at Category I, II and III fields provided the EVS detects the runway lights/environment at the normal minimum approach altitude.

Gulfstream is developing EVS for the Gulfstream V in cooperation with Maryland Advanced Development Laboratories (MADL) based in Baltimore, Maryland. In May, Gulfstream successfully completed developmental testing of the EVS on a test bed aircraft.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is the leading designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of the world's most technologically advanced intercontinental business jet aircraft. The company has produced more than 1,000 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. Gulfstream offers a full range of aircraft products and services to meet the aviation needs of its customers, including the Gulfstream IV-SP(R), the ultra-long-range Gulfstream V(R), Gulfstream Shares(R), Gulfstream Financial Services, Gulfstream Lease(SM), Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales(tm), Gulfstream Charter Services(SM), Gulfstream Management Services(SM)and Gulfstream ServiceCare(SM). In 1998, Gulfstream reported revenues of $2.4 billion. The company employs approximately 7,800 people at eight locations.