Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), officially dedicated its second Research and Development Center today at the facility's Laboratory Building.

Federal, state and local dignitaries joined Nicholas D. Chabraja, chairman and chief executive officer, General Dynamics, Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream, to unveil a plaque honoring those Gulfstream employees who have contributed to the company's research and development efforts over the past 50 years.

The plaque, located in the Laboratory Building's main lobby, reads: "In recognition and admiration of all those whose efforts in Research and Development have assured the leadership position of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in the business aviation community unveiled this 22nd day of August, 2008, in the 50th anniversary year of Gulfstream flight."

The new research center consists of two buildings: the 108,750-square-foot office building and the 80,500-square-foot Laboratory Building. The office building will accommodate 550 employees from Engineering and its supporting groups as well as employees of the Accounting and Publications departments. In addition to research- and development-related equipment, the Laboratory Building will house some 150 engineering and support employees. "This is a significant moment in the history of Gulfstream," Lombardo said. "The addition of these two buildings to our growing campus will allow us to maintain our competitive edge in research and development. Our engineers, using the many technologically advanced laboratories located here, will continue to change the future trajectory of business aviation."

The second Research and Development Center complements the first, which opened in March 2006 and accommodates some 750 technical and engineering employees. Kern-Coleman & Co. of Savannah served as the engineer and architect of both Research and Development centers and Evans General Contractors of Alpharetta, Ga., was the contractor.

Since 1958, when the first purpose-built business aircraft, the GI, took flight, Gulfstream has become a recognized technology leader in the business-aviation industry. Before the dedication ceremony, Henne presented a retrospective on the 50 years of research and development efforts that have established Gulfstream's reputation for innovation. Significant accomplishments include the first large-cabin business jet (GII); the first all-glass cockpit (GIV); the first ultra-long-range business jet (GV); the first aircraft with both FAA-approved enhanced and synthetic vision systems (G550); and the first business jet to offer in-flight wireless Internet connectivity.