General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 82,600 people worldwide and had 2006 revenues of $24.1 billion. The company has four main business segments: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Systems and Technology, and Marine Systems.

Aerospace designs, manufactures and provides services for mid-size, large cabin and ultra-long range business aircraft.  Combat Systems supplies land and amphibious combat vehicles and systems, including armored vehicles, power trains, turrets, munitions and gun systems.  Information Systems & Technology’s expertise lies in specialized data acquisition and processing, in advanced electronics, and in battlespace information networks and management systems.  Marine Systems designs and builds submarines, surface combatants, auxiliary ships and large commercial vessels.

General Dynamics is a market leader in each of its four main business segments. The company is a leading supplier of sophisticated defense systems to the United States and its allies, and sets the world standard in business jets.

General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan, is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation.  The company designs and builds armored vehicles and subsystems for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and international customers, and is the defense industry’s largest supplier of armored military vehicles.

History

Since World War II, Land Systems and its predecessor company, Chrysler Defense, have produced more than 58,000 tanks and other combat vehicles.  General Dynamics Land Systems was formed in 1982 when General Dynamics acquired Chrysler Corporation’s defense operations.  In March 2003 the assets of GM Defense were purchased by General Dynamics Corporation and combined with General Dynamics Land Systems.  Today General Dynamics Land Systems has approximately 8,400 employees at 44 facilities in 19 states; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington, and at several international operations in Canada and Australia.

General Dynamics Land System's principal products are the U.S. Army's M1A2 SEP Main Battle Tank and Stryker armored wheeled vehicle, the U.S. Marine Corps' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), and various robotic initiatives.

General Dynamics Land Systems operates the United States' only main battle tank production facility in Lima, Ohio, as well as satellite plants, where Abrams components are fabricated and assembled. The company also designs and manufactures medium weight wheeled combat vehicles, and amphibious combat vehicles. As a systems integrator, the company designs, engineers and manufactures land and amphibious combat vehicles for domestic and international sale. It was the world's first contractor to provide command, control, and communications systems developed and integrated on armored combat vehicles.

Engineering research, development, and technological innovation keep General Dynamics Land Systems in the forefront of the U.S. Army's armored force modernization programs. General Dynamics Land Systems has broadened its product and customer base to include armored vehicle systems in the medium and light weight classes. Achievements in this strategy were the capture of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle contract (1996), and being selected by the U.S. Army in 2000 to provide a new lightweight, wheeled combat vehicle for its Medium Brigade Combat Team (Stryker). The  acquisitions of AV Technology (1998), Robotic Systems Technology (1999) and GM Defense (2003), significantly expanded Land Systems portfolio in the international wheeled combat and robotics vehicle market.

Mission

General Dynamics Land Systems mission is to provide a full spectrum of land and amphibious combat systems, subsystems, and components worldwide. Company strengths are world-class design and systems integration, superior production and innovative life cycle support. GDLS deploys these strengths to meet its customer's needs in a changing world.

Vision

GDLS will secure its future by meeting the needs of its customers, engaging its employees, empowering strong work teams and rewarding its shareholders.

A Broadening Product and Customer Base

General Dynamics Land Systems plays an integral role in the U.S. Army's core product development programs and in its modernization plans. The Abrams tank, AIM, TUSK, Future Combat Systems, Mounted Warrior, Land Warrior, Stryker, MRAP, and Fox programs are key to the Army's future. General Dynamics Land Systems is also partnering with the USMC on its highest priority ground combat vehicle program, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).  For NATO and allied nations, Land Systems provides various configurations of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV).

General Dynamics is America's sole source for main battle tanks and is responsible for the M1A2 Abrams tank program in which M1A1 and M1A2 tanks are upgraded to the latest M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) configuration. The upgrade work is done at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio. The M1A2 SEP program upgrades Abrams tanks with the Army's newest command and control system, second-generation thermal sights, color displays, and improved armor.

In partnership with Anniston Army Depot, Land Systems is also executing a recapitalization process for the M1A1 Abrams tank fleet.  This process, called Abrams Integrated Management (AIM), updates the oldest M1A1s to a zero mile/zero hour like-new condition by using the core competencies of both private and public defense industries.  The AIM process also allows for new technology insertion and modifications.  Through June 2007, 886 M1A1s have been through the AIM process.   To meet the modularity requirements of the Army’s objective M1A1 configuration, production of the M1A1 AIM SA tank began in July 2007.  This tank includes many enhancements which expand the M1A1 crew’s capabilities such as improved side armor, Situational Awareness (SA) improvements, and elements of the Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK).

One of the most recent significant kit awards for the Abrams Tank Platform has been the Tank Urban Survivability Kits (TUSK).  TUSK is a set of enhancements for both the Abrams M1A1 and M1A2 tanks that improves crew survivability and increases the combat capability of the tank in urban terrain.  The enhancements include:  The Loaders Thermal Weapon Sight and Loaders Gun Shield, Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles, Tank Infantry Phone, Power Distribution Box, Driver’s Viewer Enhancer, Counter Sniper/Anti-Material Mount, and the Remote Thermal Sight (M1A1 Only).  TUSK also includes the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) enhancements which consists of a ballistically reinforced minefloor and a specialized seat designed to counter the effects of IEDs.  These enhancements are the result of lessons learned during combat operations in Iraq.  Installation in –country will began in the fourth Quarter of 2007.

General Dynamics Land Systems is playing a significant role in the Army's Future Combat System (FCS) effort. In January 2003, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Army selected Land Systems to work with the FCS Lead Systems Integrator (Boeing/SAIC) and BAE Systems to form an Integrated Design Team ("One Team") for the Manned Ground Vehicle portion of the FCS program.

FCS, the U.S. Army's flagship transformation program, is a networked "system of systems" that uses advanced communications and technologies to integrate the soldier with "families" of manned and unmanned platforms and sensors. This highly agile and lethal force will provide the tactical formations required to fulfill the Army's vision for an Objective Force. The Army plans to "spin-out" FCS capabilities into the current force in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014, when the 1st FCS unit of action is fielded.

The Mounted Warrior Soldier System represents the integration of command, control and communications, and computer equipment into the protective clothing and equipment of the soldier.  This gives the soldier situation awareness and battle command similar to what is available in combat vehicles.  Land Warrior soldiers will be equipped to develop the battlefield situation interoperable with the Stryker vehicles.  The Land Warrior system gives battlefield leaders the ability to effectively update the tactical plan and communicate that plan to the infantry soldiers using the tactical internet via the Stryker

The Stryker is an important product for Land Systems. In November 2000, the former GM Defense and General Dynamics Land Systems, were awarded a six year $4 billion contract to equip its new Brigade Combat Teams with 2,131 interim-wheeled vehicles through a series of orders through 2007. Total vehicle orders now stand at 2,730 for seven Brigade Combat Teams.  These new armored-wheeled vehicles are the interim step in the U.S. Army's effort to transform itself into a more agile and deployable force. They are assembled at company plants in London, Ontario and Anniston Army Depot and come in 10 different configurations.

The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle is being produced under a joint venture between General Dynamics Land Systems and Force Protection Inc. called Force Dynamics, LLC.  MRAP vehicles, known as RG-31 Mk5, are also being provided by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada under an agreement with BAE Systems Land Systems OMC of South Africa.  The MRAP vehicles provide improved protection for troops from mines, improvised explosive devices and other threats.  The Pentagon plans to phase out its armored Humvees in Iraq and Afghanistan and replace them with MRAP vehicles that better withstand roadside bomb and IED blasts.

General Dynamics Land Systems is working with the U.S. Army Chemical Corps to upgrade 120 Fox NBCRS vehicles with new capabilities at the Anniston Army Depot. The Fox M93A1 Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance System is a wheeled vehicle that protects its crew as they detect, sample, and mark battlefield contamination. Land Systems' Robotic Systems facility in Westminster, Maryland, also builds the Chemical Corps' M56 Coyote and M58 Wolf smoke-generation systems.

Another major Land Systems customer is the U.S. Marine Corps. General Dynamics Land Systems is partnering with the USMC on its highest priority modernization program, the EFV. Land Systems' Amphibious Systems operation in Woodbridge, Virginia, is designing and will build the new Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) for the Marine Corps in the 21st century. A demonstration/validation contract awarded in 1996 provided for the design, virtual prototyping, systems integration, fabrication, and testing of three prototype vehicles between 1996 to 2001.

Under a Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract awarded in 2001, GDLS incorporated design improvements, built second generation prototypes, and conducted both developmental and operational testing.  Training devices to facilitate introduction of the EFV were also designed, built, and evaluated. 

An additional design for reliability phase is now being incorporated into the SDD phase with further design improvements to be introduced on existing or third generation EFV prototypes.  An independent operational test and evaluation assessment is scheduled to support a production decision in 2011.  Low rate initial production (LRIP) would then begin in late 2011 with first deliveries occurring two years later and running through 2025 when a total of 573 production vehicles will have been delivered.

Internationally the company's most successful combat vehicle program is the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV).  The LAV is in service with allied forces in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  A versatile combat vehicle, it is adaptable to a variety of turret systems.  Both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army have adopted versions of the LAV; the most notable being the Stryker wheeled armored vehicle.  More than 7,000 LAVs have been delivered or ordered.

Facilities

Land Systems' main production plant, the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC), is in Lima, Ohio. The JSMC is a government-owned contractor operated facility that fabricates and assembles armored combat vehicles.

The Scranton Plant in Eynon, Pennsylvania, is a leased facility where employees machine suspension components and perform subassembly work for armored vehicles.

Tallahassee Operations in Tallahassee, Florida, builds and assembles electronic units for the M1A2 Abrams tank and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.

Land Systems' Robotic Systems operation in Westminster, Maryland, is an industry leader in autonomous and semi-autonomous unmanned ground vehicle systems. Robotic Systems also produces smoke-generation systems and a variety of commercial products for customers including the U.S. Postal Service.

The Sterling Heights Complex in Sterling Heights, Michigan, is Land Systems' headquarters. It houses the engineering, customer service and support, material acquisition, finance, and staff support functions. The Sterling Logistics Center is on the same campus and provides training and logistics technical support to customers around the world.

FCS Facility in Warren, Michigan, is leading the design and development of the manned ground vehicle for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems program.

The Muskegon Technical Center in Muskegon, Michigan, develops cutting edge technology and Systems for integration in current and future defense industry military applications.

The Woodbridge Technical Center, in Woodbridge, Virginia, leads the EFV design and development effort for the USMC.

General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada operates a plant in London, Ontario, that fabricates and assembles the Stryker for the U.S. Army and manufactures other LAV products for customers around the world. It is our international sales center for the LAV and 4x4 security vehicles to a variety of international military customers. It oversees the operations of General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia that manufactures LAV 25mm turrets.

Business Priorities and Capabilities

General Dynamics Land Systems' business priorities are to maintain its technological advantage with focused development efforts, continuously reduce cost to its customers, maintain and extend the tank franchise, pursue and develop other close combat vehicle franchises, and grow the combat information system segment of the business.

General Dynamics Land Systems is well positioned for the future with a clear market niche and a strong array of capabilities. These capabilities include precision machining, experience with steel and aluminum and special armor, product fabrication, assembly, technical training, total package fielding, manufacturing technical assistance, contract logistics support services, systems integration, combat systems development, electronic production and assembly, software development, and prototype development.

A Bright Future

General Dynamics Land Systems continues to evolve to meet the ever changing needs of its customers and the defense industry.  Not long ago the company's major business was the heavy Main Battle Tank.  Today, Land Systems designs and produces heavy, medium, and light-weight armored combat vehicles that are tracked, wheeled and amphibious.

General Dynamics Land Systems has created new international and domestic business opportunities and is a full-spectrum source for the world's finest armored vehicles, subsystems, and components.

More information about General Dynamics Land Systems can be found on the worldwide web at www.gdls.com. More information about General Dynamics Corporation can be found on the worldwide web at www.generaldynamics.com