Stork Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures composite tail and bonded fuselage panels for the all new Gulfstream 650

 Papendrecht, 13th March 2008

 Fokker Aerostructures will participate in the development and production of the Gulfstream 650 program, the new business jet program, launched today in Savannah by US aircraft builder Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). This business jet will be the new top-end model of the very successful Gulfstream business jet family. With its ultra large cabin and ultra-long range, the G650 establishes a new price and performance point for business-jet aircraft.

 Fokker Aerostructures is responsible for the innovative design and manufacturing of the complete empennage and the manufacturing of the fuselage panels. The engineering teams of both companies collaborated closely together in Savannah, Papendrecht and Hoogeveen to incorporate the application of a new generation of composite materials in the design of the tail section. The empennage will feature advanced lightweight composite solutions involving Fokker Aerostructures strategic partners for certain parts of the work package. Fokker Aerostructures will also apply the latest state-of-the-art thermoplastics know-how. For the manufacturing of the fuselage panels Fokker Aerostructures will rely on its proven metal bonding experience.

 As already announced in the earlier press release dated October 9th 2007, depending on the sales success of the airplane, revenues could total approximately US $ 600 million. The order requires non-recurring investments of around US $ 56 million. First revenues are expected in 5 years after the start of the design of the required parts. An annual turnover for Fokker Aerostructures of US $ 60 million is expected.

 Fokker Aerostructures Executive Vice President Henk Valk said: “This order means a substantial and high-value flow of work as well as pushing the technological boundaries, with all its associated spin-off benefits. This participation also means a prolongation of the good collaboration with Gulfstream which we have already enjoyed for over a decade”

 Since 1993 Fokker participates in the very successful GV program of Gulfstream. The GV series from Gulfstream comprises three aircraft types, the original GV, the G500 and the G550. For all types Fokker Aerostructures is responsible for the tail section. The 1st GV tail was delivered in 1995, almost 400 tails have been delivered since. The A/C types are market leaders in the large-cabin, ultra-long-range business jet aircraft. Gulfstream is the undisputed leader in this market segment. Its customers include large multinational corporations, government and government agencies, fractional ownership companies and high-worth individuals.

 Fokker Aerostructures is a part of Fokker Aerospace Group. Fokker Aerospace Group develops and produces advanced structures and electrical systems for the aviation and aerospace industry, and supplies integrated services and products to aircraft owners and operators. The group achieved a turnover of € 553 million in 2007 with 3,636 employees.

 

 

 

Press information:

Fokker Aerospace Group:
Marianne Mulder
Communications
Tel.:     +31 (0)78 6419848
Cell.:   +31 (0)6  51311217