PPG Industries' (NYSE:PPG) aerospace transparencies business has been awarded a long-term contract by Gulfstream Aerospace to design, develop, test and manufacture cockpit windows and window assemblies for the Gulfstream G650 business jet, which offers the longest range, fastest speed, largest cabin and most advanced cockpit in the Gulfstream fleet. Terms were not disclosed.  

A new PPG plastic material that resists crazing to maintain optical clarity will be used on the passenger-cabin windows, which, as aviation's largest, will provide passengers with better viewing and afford a brighter cabin with more natural light, according to Arthur Scott, PPG global sales director for commercial original-equipment manufacturing (OEM) transparencies. The side cockpit windows are larger than those on in-production, large-cabin Gulfstream business jets to enhance visibility for the pilot and copilot, Scott said.  

The contract calls for PPG to supply complete cabin-window assemblies ready for aircraft installation to help Gulfstream meet its production goal to reduce total parts per aircraft 50 percent for reduced time and enhanced efficiencies, he said.  

To maintain cabin-window clarity and reduce maintenance, PPG developed an innovative plastic for the outboard surface that won't craze, according to Scott. The proprietary PPG plastic will be laminated to stretched acrylic for increased stiffness and assembled with an inboard coated glass panel that can be heated for antifogging.  

The PPG cockpit and cabin windows are designed to enhance aerodynamics and safety for the G650 business jet, while withstanding the aircraft's high cabin pressure, Scott said.  

"The higher cabin pressure of the G650 jet is designed to provide passengers with the comfort and feel of a lower altitude in flight," he said. "The windows, with their larger surface area, must be able to withstand that pressure while meeting weight and deflection specifications. Our prototypes for the side cockpit windows and cabin windows exceeded Gulfstream's requirements in initial testing, showing less deflection for aerodynamic benefits and being lighter in weight. As a result, the windows may contribute to a quieter, smoother flight and better fuel efficiency."  

The design for the heated glass windshields will be a carryover from the G550 jet, with Surface Seal water-repellent coating by PPG as the primary rain-removal system to enable Gulfstream to certify the aircraft without windshield wipers, which increase drag and weight.  

PPG will produce the cockpit windows and complete window assembly at its Huntsville aircraft products plant for delivery to Gulfstream's Savannah, Ga., facility. PPG is able to produce cabin windows at facilities in Sylmar, Calif., and Casaletto Vaprio, Italy, near Milan. Volume deliveries are expected to begin in 2011.  

Gulfstream expects to begin G650 business jet customer deliveries in the second half of 2012. First flight of the aircraft is scheduled to take place in the second half of 2009.  

PPG has produced the cockpit windows for every Gulfstream aircraft built since the Gulfstream I. PPG Aerospace also supplies coatings and sealants to Gulfstream. The PPG Aerospace application support center in Atlanta has earned Gulfstream Top Performer recognition for excellent performance supplying coatings and sealants to the aircraft manufacturer.  

PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world's largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer of aerospace sealants, coatings, and packaging and application systems.