ASD-Network
General Dynamics
Sterling Heights,
Michigan,
USA

The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $136 million modification to a previously awarded contract to continue the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program.

General Dynamics will provide the required materials, services, personnel and facilities to complete the design and development of the EFV, perform studies and analyses, manufacture and test all SDD prototypes, prepare for production, initiate logistics support of the EFV, and successfully complete the SDD phase.

The EFV is the Marine Corps' highest priority ground combat modernization program. Its breakthrough expeditionary design provides outstanding cross-country mobility, lethal firepower, high water speed and optimum crew protection and survivability. EFV provides the elements of flexibility and tactical surprise critical to establishing battlefield dominance.

Work will be performed by General Dynamics Amphibious Systems, an operating unit of General Dynamics Land Systems, in Woodbridge, Va., (59.02 percent); and in Freidrichshafen, Germany (15.61 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (10.43 percent); Lima, Ohio, (1.94 percent); Ottawa, Canada (1.82 percent); Liberty Lake, Wash. (1.64 percent); Sterling Heights, Mich. (1.46 percent); Scranton, Pa, (1.38 percent); Linthicum, Md., (1.20 percent); Tempe, Ariz. (1.18 percent); Calgary, Canada (0.95 percent); Arlington, Va., (0.78 percent); Pittsfield, Mass. (0.69 percent); San Diego, Calif. (0.55 percent); Tallahassee, Fla. (0.53 percent); Frederick, Md., (0.43 percent); El Centro, Calif. (0.37 percent); and Muskegon, Mich. (0.02 percent). All work is expected to be completed by September 2008.

General Dynamics won the competition to be the prime contractor for EFV in 1996. The EFV entered the 712 million SDD phase in 2001. Production of over 1 000 vehicles for the Marine Corps begins in 2005 and continues into 2018.

The EFV can launch forces from 20 to 25 nautical miles at sea and transport its crew of three and 17 combat ready Marines to shore at speeds in excess of 20 knots, three times faster than the current platform's speed. The EFV is capable of speeds up to 45 mph on land and is replacing the 30 year-old, less-capable AAV7s.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 71 600 people worldwide and anticipates 2004 revenue in excess of $19 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com

With acknowledgement to ASD Network and General Dynamics.