SAVANNAH, Ga., December 11, 2009
— Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics
(NYSE: GD), today announced that its newest business jet, the
large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250, has successfully completed its
first flight. Gulfstream designed and built the super mid-size business
jet in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Tel
Aviv, Israel.

Flown by IAI chief test pilot Ronen Shapira, the G250
took off from Ben Gurion International Airport today at 8:16 a.m. local
time. During the flight, which lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes, the
pilots tested the business jet’s flight-handling qualities and
characteristics, and performed initial checks of several aircraft
systems.

The aircraft was flown to 32,000
feet and achieved a maximum speed of 253 knots. Pilot Shapira commented
that the flight was “extremely smooth with no issues.” IAI’s Flight
Telemetry System enabled IAI and Gulfstream flight-test engineers on
the ground to monitor the G250 aircraft systems in real time during the
flight, as well as record the data from the first flight test point.

“The G250 performed extremely well, just as we expected,” said Pres
Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test,
Gulfstream. “We’re looking forward to 2011 when we’ll begin delivering
this aircraft to the customers who had tremendous input in its design.”

Itzhak Nissan, president and CEO, IAI, said,
“The successful first flight of the G250 large-cabin, mid-range jet
represents the achievements of Gulfstream and IAI as the designers,
integrators and manufacturers of this advanced business jet. IAI
continues to benefit from its world-leading, strategic partnership with
Gulfstream.”

The G250 rolled out of the IAI
manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv under its own power on Oct. 6, 2009.
It remains on schedule for type certification by 2011, followed by
entry-into-service the same year.

The G250
offers the largest cabin and the longest range at the fastest speed in
its class. The cockpit features the new PlaneView 250™ system based on
Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics. Powered by twin Honeywell
HTF7250G engines, the business jet is capable of traveling 3,400
nautical miles at Mach 0.80 and has a maximum operating speed of Mach
0.85. With an initial cruise altitude of 41,000 feet, the G250 can
climb to a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet.

It
features an all-new, advanced transonic wing design that has been
optimized for high-speed cruise and improved takeoff performance. At
maximum takeoff weight, the G250 can depart from a 5,000-foot runway.
Its 3,400-nautical-mile range means the G250 can fly nonstop from New
York to London or from London to Dubai.

In
terms of passenger comfort, the G250 features the largest cabin in its
class, with 17 percent to 35 percent more floor area than any other
large-cabin, mid-range business jet. The additional space provides for
a larger lavatory, an improved galley and increased storage. The
aircraft also features 19 panoramic windows, industry-leading sound
levels, a vacuum toilet system and in-flight access to 120 cubic feet
of usable volume in the baggage compartment.