Story ID: 
Gulfstream Deliveries, Sales Continue Ascent
By: Chad Trautvetter
Caption: Last year, Gulfstream delivered 150 outfitted business jets, six above that in 2013.
Word Count: 200
Gulfstream booked more orders in last year's fourth quarter than in any other quarter in the past three years, Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of parent company General Dynamics, said yesterday during a quarterly investor conference call. Novakovic also noted that all large-cabin jets had more than a 1:1 book-to-bill ratio in the quarter.

Backlog at year-end stood at $13.23 billion, up nearly $1.2 billion from the end of the third quarter but down by about $700 million from late 2013. Backlogs are about 10 months for the G280 and G450; 12 months for the G150 and G550; and 24 months for the G650.

Last year, Gulfstream delivered 150 outfitted business jets, six more than in 2013. However, year-over-year shipments of large-cabin jets fell by four to 117, while midsize jets jumped by 10 to 33. Novakovic expects deliveries of large-cabin jets to remain relatively flat this year, while production of midsize jets will rise to meet increased demand in this segment.

Overall, General Dynamics’ aerospace division, which also includes Jet Aviation, reported revenues of $8.65 billion, up 6.5 percent year-over-year, and profits of $1.61 billion, up 13.8 percent. Aerospace revenues are expected to increase by about 9 percent this year, according to guidance from the parent company.