General Dynamics and University of Missouri-Rolla Awarded U.S. Navy Contract for Counter-IED Applied Research

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), and the University of Missouri at Rolla have been awarded a three-year contract for applied research by the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NEODTD) at Indian Head, Maryland with funding from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The agreement provides continued funding for counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) applied research and proof of concept demonstrations. The first year of the contract is valued at $1.5 million. The remaining two years have a potential value of $6 million.

Researchers at General Dynamics and UM-Rolla Rolla Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory will collaborate in the development of solutions for detecting and neutralizing remotely triggered, electronically initiated IEDs. Electronic technologies that are available commercially are being used to remotely trigger IEDs and pose a significant threat to military personnel in current conflicts.

At the completion of a previous partnership between General Dynamics and UM-Rolla, a remotely controlled engineering prototype unit demonstrated the ability to detect, neutralize and verify disruption for several types of IEDs previously unseen by the research team.

UM-Rolla is one of the four campuses in the University of Missouri System and was founded in 1870. It was the first technological institution west of the Mississippi River. It will become the Missouri University of Science and Technology effective Jan. 1, 2008. It remains one of the nation’s best technological universities. It has more than 5,500 students and is home to 23 research centers, labs and institutes. Externally funded research has more than doubled since 2001, from $17.4 million to $35.6 million in 2005.

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is a world leader in the manufacture of large, medium- and small-caliber direct and indirect-fire munitions, mortar weapons and systems, artillery projectiles, bomb bodies and BALL POWDER® Propellant. The company also manufactures force protection products and precision metal components; provides explosive load, assemble and pack services for a variety of munitions, tactical missile and rocket programs; and designs and produces shaped charge warheads and control actuator systems. More information on General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical is available online at www.gd-ots.com.