Production of the eight vehicles begins in March 2002, at a rate of one per month, with the first delivery planned for January 2003.

The contract represents the fourth increment of funding to the existing Abrams (Wolverine) multiyear contract and completes the order for 46 Wolverines under the ArmyÆs Low Rate Initial Production plan.

The Increment Four funding links the initial production to the long term Wolverine program that has a potential of 162 vehicles through FY Æ06,ö said Pat Pietrangelo, Land Systems Wolverine heavy assault bridge program manager.

Assembly of the vehicles is done at the General Dynamics operated Lima (Ohio) Army Tank Plant from components fabricated at General Dynamics plants in Eynon, Pennsylvania, Muskegon, Michigan, Tallahassee, Florida, and Imperial, California. Workers for this contract will come from the existing manpower of each plant.

The Wolverine heavy assault bridge system is a modified Abrams tank chassis that launches a two-part 26 meter Leguan bridge, built by MAN Technologie in Germany, which can take vehicles and equipment up to 70 tons. The Wolverine is intended to replace the Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge that was designed more than 40 years ago.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 46,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2001 sales of approximately $11.5 billion. The company has leading market positions in business aviation, information systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and land and amphibious combat systems. More information about General Dynamics can be found on the World Wide Web at www.gdls.com.

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