General Dynamics Buys Nordam Nacelle Line for Gulfstreams

Gulfstream maker General Dynamics (GD) said Oct. 1 it acquired the Nordam Group’s nacelle manufacturing line for the Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600, ending a drama that saw the latter file for bankruptcy and threats arise to one of industry’s high-profile business jets.

GD said it will continue to operate the line at Nordam’s Tulsa, Oklahoma, facility. A federal bankruptcy judge approved the transfer Sept. 26, clearing the way for the acquisition. Terms will not be disclosed, the company added.

According to GD, a deal for the line was filed in court in September. What is more, GD had been operating the line “since early September” under a sublease as parties worked to address Nordam’s bankruptcy, filed July 22.

“Gulfstream has a 60-year history of manufacturing and product excellence that will serve our customers well as we assume responsibility for nacelle production,” Gulfstream President Mark Burns said. “The manufacturing of this component is firmly in our wheelhouse, especially since we also manufacture the wings and empennages for these aircraft.”

Family owned Nordam filed for bankruptcy protection after a protracted contract dispute with Pratt & Whitney Canada over the PW800 nacelle system used in G500s and G600s. The company said the bankruptcy was due to this dispute only and other programs were not affected.

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