- AV TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES AGMS PANDUR TO THE U.S. ARMY -

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Today, the first Armored Ground Mobility System (AGMS) Pandur was introduced to the United States Army during a ceremony at AV Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Land Systems.

AV Technology produces the Pandur in the United States under license from the vehicle designer, Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co KG (SSF) of Vienna, Austria. AV Technology and SSF partnered in 1994.

Introduction of the Pandur into the U.S. Army's inventory comes just one year after the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) awarded AV Technology a competitive procurement, indefinite quantity, five year contract for up to 50 Pandur AGMS vehicles.

"This milestone event is a result of the excellent teamwork between TACOM, AV Technology, and SSF," said Simon T. Honess, president of AV Technology.

The AGMS program follows the production of 70 Pandur vehicles in six different configurations at AV Technology for the Kuwait National Guard between 1997 and 1999. Pandur is also fielded by the armed forces of Austria, Belgium, and Slovenia.

"Pandur represents a new class of vehicle for America's Army. Pandur is mission driven and gives the Army an armored rapid response vehicle that is air deployable, mobile, agile, and versatile with significant protection features," said Honess. " Pandur favors operations in mountainous terrain or urban areas where agility and maneuverability over or around obstacles are vital prerequisites for mission success. The vehicle strongly reflects the direct design influence of the Army user."

The Pandur's AGMS superior technology includes features such as advanced armor, automatic drive management, independent suspension, central tire inflation, quick-change powerpack, and disk brakes.

In the AGMS configuration, Pandur is an armored personnel carrier. Pandur can also be configured in several additional variants including 25mm or 30mm fighting vehicles, 90mm fire support, Hellfire missile, mortar, command and control, NBC reconnaissance, ambulance, and maintenance recovery.

"General Dynamics and Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug are working together to jointly offer the Pandur as a candidate vehicle for the U.S. Army's Interim Armored Vehicle program," said Honess. "We feel the Pandur provides the U.S. Army an excellent choice to help equip their Brigade Combat Teams."

AV Technology, a General Dynamics company, is a world leader in the design and manufacture of armored wheeled vehicles and turret systems.

General Dynamics Land Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 43,000 people worldwide and has annualized sales of approximately $10 billion. The company has leading market positions in shipbuilding and marine systems, land and amphibious combat systems, information systems, and business aviation.

Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co KG is a privately owned, traditional European producer of light wheeled and tracked armored vehicles, with headquarters in Vienna, Austria. STEYR was founded back in 1864. General Dynamics has a share participation of about 25% in STEYR.

STEYR's main field of activities are the development, production, and international marketing of its

• PANDUR 6x6 range of wheeled armored vehicles, and
• ASCOD range of tracked armored vehicles, developed together with Santa Barbara of Spain.

STEYR armored vehicles are in service in five continents and presently in production in Austria, USA, Belgium, Spain, and Slovenia.

More information about General Dynamics Land Systems can be found on the Internet at http://www.gdls.com/.

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