The scenario was echoed in a recent U.S. Air Force commercial that showed a missile obliterating a satellite -- a commercial that the Center for Defense Information, a Washington-based think tank that researches space weapons, said was not factually correct. The think tank described the ad as a "blatant exploitation of people's concerns about space."

The Air Force eventually admitted that a single missile shooting down one satellite would not send the United States back to the 19th century, and pulled the commercial, conceding that it was "misleading."

Most modern communication satellites that handle bank transactions, GPS and cell phone calls orbit at 12,000 miles above Earth's surface. Satellites that beam television signals are in geostationary orbit, which is at 22,500 miles. No current anti-satellite weapon -- at least those that are not classified -- has been tested past low-Earth orbit, which is roughly 100 to 1,200 miles high, the Center for Defense Information said.

"The Aerospace Industries Association is being unnecessarily histrionic about the threat to satellites," said Victoria Samson, a senior analyst for the Center for Defense Information. "The GPS constellation was [also] built so that missing one satellite wouldn't bring down the whole system."

What is notable about the Aerospace Industries Association's claim is how it is being used as part of a stepped-up campaign to convince politicians, voters and aerospace employees that "America's future depends on maintaining space leadership." It is a broad statement encompassing several aspects of the U.S. space industry, such as educating the aerospace workforce of the future. But some experts say it also means the U.S. needs to somehow find a way to protect its 400-plus satellites -- an undertaking that could result in billions for aerospace industry defense contractors.

A powerful lobby in Washington, the aerospace industry accounted for more than 650,000 jobs and $184 billion in sales in 2006.

The Aerospace Industries Association's president and CEO, Marion Blakey, was a former head of the Federal Aviation Administration. Her predecessor, John Douglass, is a former assistant secretary of the Navy, and was named one of Washington's top lobbyists last year by "The Hill," an influential congressional newspaper.

Patrick McCartan, the Aerospace Industries Association's director for legislative affairs, is a former aide to Maine Senator Olympia Snowe. He, too, was ranked a "top rainmaker" by The Hill.

With election season in full swing, the Aerospace Industries Association is calling for "cutting-edge defense research," along with defense spending being "no less than 4 percent of the U.S. GDP," which was $13.8 trillion for 2007, amounting to roughly $550 billion. That is near the current level, if you include the spending for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It is widely known that "Star Wars II" -- resurrected this decade by the George W. Bush administration -- has been a cash cow for Lockheed Martin and Boeing, aerospace industry giants that are the Pentagon's top two defense contractors. Together, they currently have 73 lobbying groups working on Capital Hill, according to Opensecrets.org, which tracks campaign funding and its relation to public policy.

Also telling is the campaign money that the aerospace industry has contributed during the 2008 election cycle. Historically, the industry has given more to Republicans than to Democrats -- millions more.

Yet, as of mid-summer, OpenSecrets.org reports that the aerospace industry has split its staggering total of $6.9 million down the middle: half to Democrats, and half to Republicans.

"We have met with every campaign staff for months now -- McCain, Obama and every other campaign," said Matt Grimison, the Aerospace Industries Association's communications director. "We are casting a wide net to make sure these issues are being considered by everybody."

Experts say this is because the Democratic Party currently controls Congress, as it did back in 1994. In both the Senate and the House, two Democrats chair each branch's Defense Appropriations committees: Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii and Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania hold the keys to billions for future projects.

"The industry is realizing it needs more access to Democrats," said Massie Ritsch, communications director for the Center of Responsive Politics, which also runs Opensecrets.org. "The Democrats control Congress, and therefore defense policy. This election is the [aerospace industry's] most Democratic since 1994."

Democratic candidate Barack Obama has promised to not weaponize space, unlike his challenger, Sen. John McCain. Obama has also vowed to cut unnecessary missile defense funding.

However, the strategy of focusing on Congress could pay off, considering both Sen. Inouye and Rep. Murtha are considered "space hawks" by peace activists.

Over the last 10 years, Sen. Inouye has allowed the Pentagon to flood the Hawaiian Islands with billions in funding for dozens of projects related to blowing things up in space, said Kyle Kajihiro, program director for DMZ Hawaii, based in Honolulu. During the same time, the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, the successor to the "Star Wars" program, has conducted high-profile tests around the islands.

The agency's largest trophy so far was the shootdown of a disabled satellite in February. The test utilized Pearl Harbor's USS Lake Erie, a guided-missile cruiser equipped with the Aegis system, which allows the ship to take out targets in low-Earth-orbit. The USS Erie is arguably Earth's first "space battleship" and its transformation came about after Sen. Inouye in 2000 loudly called for a sea-based missile-defense system to counter North Korea and China, Kajihiro said.

"Sen. Inouye says it's about defending Hawaii," he said. "Our stance is the increasing missile defense tests are a destabilizing factor. The tests are provoking an arms race in the region between nuclear powers."

Opensecrets.org shows that from 2001 to 2008, employees of Lockheed Martin and Boeing have consistently ranked in Sen. Inouye's top-five corporate contributors for re-election efforts.

So does the Aerospace Industries Association's talking point of "maintaining space leadership" mean developing and deploying weapons in space? Besides billions of Pentagon dollars being shoveled into the aerospace industry, it could be an undertaking that many experts fear would ignite this century's greatest arms race.

The Aerospace Industries Association does not specifically mention building a constellation of "killer satellites" to protect U.S. space assets, and they have no official policy on how to protect these assets. But is the writing on the proverbial cyberspace wall?

"It's hard to imagine a more dramatic wake-up call for U.S. space security efforts than China's stunning anti-satellite demonstration in January 2007," the Aerospace Industries Association said on its Web site. "A ground-based ballistic missile scored a direct hit on a defunct Chinese weather satellite, proving China's capability of destroying space-based equipment."

"Some members of Congress, however, suggest that arms control treaties are the only answer to such threats," the group added, saying that it would work through its "National Security Space Committee" to "leverage the Chinese demonstration as an opportunity to educate members of Congress not only about our ever-increasing reliance on space-based assets but also on the vulnerabilities these assets face ... [and] the need for sustained U.S. investment in national security space programs."

With a non-stop range of nearly 7,000 statute miles and a maximum cruise speed of 559 mph, the Falcon 7X offers true global reach as well as speed and comfort for domestic trips. The cabin is full of modern amenities and seats up to 11 passengers, allowing customers to maximize their time onboard - whether working or resting in luxurious comfort.

"We remain committed to providing a world-class travel experience for our customers by offering the highest quality products and services available," said Kruger. "The Falcon 7X aircraft is a natural fit."

Delta AirElite continues to strategically expand its fleet through aircraft management agreements which provide high-quality and well-maintained jets for its broad base of customers. Aircraft management agreements are an attractive option for corporations and aircraft owners who want to lower aircraft ownership costs, generate revenue and enjoy unique benefits available only through Delta AirElite. Since the beginning of the year, Delta AirElite has added several aircraft to its fleet, including most recently its second Gulfstream G550, its fourth Bombardier Learjet 45 and a Cessna Citation CJ2+.

Delta AirElite Business Jets is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, providing aircraft charter, aircraft management and its innovative Fleet Membership program. With 24 years of serving business aviation travelers, Delta AirElite is the only business jet operator owned by a major U.S. airline and has continuously held the coveted ARG/US Platinum safety rating longer than any other operator. The company operates a diverse fleet of Gulfstream, Cessna, Bombardier, and Hawker Beechcraft jets. Delta AirElite was recently voted Best Private Jet Service by readers of Executive Travel Magazine and consistently receives awards for outstanding customer service. The company has held an ARG/US Platinum Operator rating since 2001. For more information, please call 877-DAE-JETS (877-323-5387) or visit www.AirElite.com.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Delta AirElite Business Jets

Delta AirElite Business Jets
          Julie Stone
          912-898-8673
          Mobile: 912-398-0498

The G250 offers the largest cabin and the longest range at the fastest speed in its class. The G250 is capable of traveling 3,400 nautical miles at 0.80 Mach and has a maximum operating speed of 0.85 Mach. With an initial cruise altitude of 41,000 feet, the G250 can climb to a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet, where it can avoid air-traffic congestion and adverse weather.

"I'm delighted to announce the newest aircraft in the Gulfstream line," said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream. "Our customers played a definitive role in designing this business jet by participating in our Advanced Technology Customer Advisory Team. As a result, we are confident they'll appreciate the G250's state-of-the-art technology, superior performance and enhanced styling."

Gulfstream projects the G250 will be certified in 2011 and expects to begin customer deliveries of the new aircraft the same year. The first flight of the aircraft is scheduled for the second half of 2009.

"I am very proud of the advanced technology our team has incorporated into the G250. It gives this new member of the Gulfstream family increased speed and range. The all-new, advanced Gulfstream wing, the best-in-class Honeywell engines, and the PlaneView 250 cockpit from Rockwell Collins make the G250 the best-in-class aircraft," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream . "I do want to give credit to Dan Nale, vice president, Mid-Cabin Programs, and Mark Kohler, G250 program manager at Gulfstream, for all their efforts in bringing this program forward on schedule. Their team's work has resulted in the G250 leading the super mid- size category. I am equally proud of our partner G250 team at Israel Aerospace Industries for the detailed design and manufacturing of this new aircraft."

Performance

The G250 is powered by twin Honeywell HTF7250G engines, each of which provides 7,445 pounds of thrust. These fuel-efficient engines feature reduced emissions, longer maintenance intervals and decreased noise levels. They also offer excellent climb performance, propelling the G250 to FL410 in less than 20 minutes.

The G250 also has 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 take off 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.

Improved Cabin Comfort

Convenience and comfort are the hallmarks of the G250 cabin. The aircraft has the largest cabin in its class, with 17 percent to 35 percent more floor area than any other super mid-size business jet. This additional space provides for a larger lavatory, an improved galley and increased storage.

The lavatory features two large windows, a contemporary sink with a raised ledge, and a vacuum toilet system. The G250 is the only super mid-size business jet with this system, a standard feature on larger business aircraft. This system is easier to access, service and maintain.

The ergonomically designed G250 galley features an extra-large ice drawer with gasper-cooled storage, a sink with a slide-out work surface, and increased storage capabilities. In addition to the galley, the G250 offers storage in a forward cabin closet, the lavatory closet and the divan end cabinets. The aircraft also provides in-flight access to 120 cubic feet of usable volume in the baggage compartment.

Nineteen windows allow natural light to illuminate the cabin's interior. This reduces jet lag and enhances cabin ambiance. The cabin environment is further improved by 100 percent fresh air and a cabin altitude of 7,000 feet at FL450. Industry-leading sound levels mean the G250 cabin provides a more comfortable environment for conversation or relaxing.

The G250 adheres to Gulfstream's Cabin-Essential(R) design philosophy, which means all of its major cabin systems have been designed with redundancy so a single-point failure will not result in the loss of cabin functionality. That means cabin lighting always illuminates; water is always available; and an entertainment source always works.

The PlaneView(R) 250 Cockpit

The G250 is equipped with the most advanced flight deck in its class: the PlaneView 250 featuring Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics. This flight deck features three high-resolution, 15-inch diagonal Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) that are capable of showing multiple formats, including a navigation map with terrain; approach and airport charts; graphical flight planning, and optional synthetic and enhanced vision.

The cockpit also includes two new Standby Multi-function Controllers (SMCs). Installed in the glare shield, these first-of-their-kind SMCs incorporate a variety of features, including Standby Instrument, Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) Display Control, and Remote Information Display on a 5.3-inch LCD.

Working in concert, these elements provide flight crews with enhanced situational awareness and improved safety.

The cockpit also offers dual Flight Management Systems (FMSs), dual Gulfstream signature Cursor Control Devices (CCDs), universal worldwide graphical weather, automatic Emergency Descent Mode, MultiScan(TM) weather radar and a dual auto-throttle system.

Optional features further enhance the capabilities of PlaneView 250. These include the Rockwell Collins HGS-6250 Head-Up Display (HUD II), Gulfstream Enhanced Vision (EVS II) and Gulfstream Synthetic Vision - Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD). A Head-up Guidance System (HGS) designed by Rockwell Collins, HUD II features an all-digital LCD that combines critical flight guidance information with the infrared image from EVS II and presents it in the pilot's forward field of view. This combination of HUD II and EVS II improves touchdown precision, thereby allowing G250 pilots to proceed from Decision Height to a 100-foot altitude when using EVS for low-visibility approaches.

Gulfstream SV-PFD improves situational awareness and safety by generating a synthesized, three-dimensional image of the world outside the cockpit. It integrates data from the Rockwell Collins onboard terrain database with the aircraft's position, altitude and heading to create a synthesized picture that is projected in a perspective view on the Primary Flight Displays. This optional PlaneView 250 feature allows pilots to view major landmarks throughout the world and the aircraft's position relative to them, thereby improving terrain and obstacle awareness.

Additional options for the PlaneView 250 cockpit include predictive wind shear for weather radar, XM graphical weather, paperless cockpit, en route charts and an intercontinental package with enhanced capability and redundancy for oceanic and remote-area operations.

Reliable Systems

The G250 is the only aircraft in its class with auto braking, which provides improved safety while reducing pilot workload. Additionally, the G250 brake-by-wire system features individual antiskid, completely independent mechanical backup and a brake temperature monitoring system.

The G250's advanced flight control system consists of a fly-by-wire multifunction spoiler system, fly-by-wire rudder control, hydro-mechanical elevator control and manually operated ailerons.

The G250 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) minimizes surge-control valve operation, making the APU quieter to use. A new starter generator improves reliability on the ground or in-flight, where it can be used at altitudes up to 40,000 feet.

The G250 fuel system stores 14,600 pounds of fuel and has an improved refueling sequence that requires less than 20 minutes for fill-ups.

Manufacturing

Initial phase manufacturing for the G250 will be at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) near the Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. IAI currently builds two other Gulfstream aircraft: the G150 and the G200. Final phase manufacturing for the G250 will take place at the Gulfstream Center of Excellence completion facility for mid-cabin aircraft in Dallas. Gulfstream maintains a fully staffed office at IAI to oversee initial manufacturing. The G250 Program office is located in Savannah, Ga.

"The G250 offers an unrivaled combination of characteristics that will ensure its success in the business-aviation industry," Lombardo said. "We've made a proven product even better by boosting its range, reducing its runway requirements, bolstering its cabin size, increasing its storage and equipping it with state-of-the-art technology.

"I am excited Gulfstream is able to offer this new aircraft to our customers. And, as with all Gulfstream aircraft, the G250 is backed by Gulfstream's award-winning product-support network," he concluded.

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 some 1,800 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(R); the large cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200(R); the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350(R); the large-cabin, long-range G450(R); the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500(R); the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550(R) and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650(R). Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales(R). The company employs more than 9,700 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of approximately $29.5 billion. 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 the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com

SOURCE Gulfstream Aerospace

http://www.gulfstream.com