U.S. Marine Corps Awards General Dynamics $44 Million Contract for Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Materials

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Virginia, has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $43.8 million contract for the delivery of Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) spare parts and systems for developmental testing. This contract is a modification to the existing Marine Corps’ Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract.

Work will be performed by General Dynamics Amphibious Systems, an operating unit of General Dynamics Land Systems, in Woodbridge, Virginia (6%); Germany (39%); Michigan (13%); Indiana (8%); Colorado (5%); Florida (5%); California (4%); Canada (4%); Maryland, (4%); Washington (4%); Arizona (3%), North Carolina (3%); and Louisiana (2%). The work is scheduled to be completed by September 2007.

The EFV is an amphibious assault vehicle with a breakthrough design that provides the Marines with a transformational leap in technology and capability resulting in dramatically improved land and sea performance.

Once deployed, the EFV will help the Marines sustain inland combat operations by maximizing tactical surprise; minimizing vulnerability on land; providing improved firepower, lethality, and survivability; and providing command, control, communication, computer intelligence (C4I) on-the-move capability.

On land, the EFV will maneuver and fight as an integrated part of the joint services ground combat force. The vehicle is capable of speeds up to 45 mph allowing it to complement the Abrams main battle tank during offensive maneuvers to inland objectives. The EFV’s land mobility and communications capabilities provide Marines the ability to exploit enemy force vulnerabilities.

Off shore, the EFV allows Marines to implement their Operational Maneuver from the Sea doctrine. The EFV can launch forces from 20 to 25 nautical miles at sea, carrying its crew of three and 17 combat-ready Marines to shore at speeds in excess of 20 knots, three times faster than the current AAVP7-A1. This provides a significant increase in operational flexibility and agility.