General Dynamics Successfully Integrates Littoral Combat Ship Mission Package Computing Environment

FAIRFAX, Va. – General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and the U.S. Navy have successfully integrated the mission package computing environment aboard the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) “INDEPENDENCE” under construction in Mobile, Ala. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is the core mission system integrator for the General Dynamics LCS.

The mission package computing environment (MPCE), designed using the General Dynamics open computing infrastructure (OPEN CI), provides the primary operator interface for the control and monitoring of mission package operations. The MPCE is located in the secondary integrated command and control room (ICC2).

"This milestone is a great achievement for both the Navy and General Dynamics," said Michael Tweed-Kent, vice president and general manager of integrated combat systems for General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. "Successful completion of this integration paves the way for full integration of the mission packages with the General Dynamics LCS Core Mission System scheduled for later this year."

Mission Packages are a key feature of the LCS class of ships and are designed to fill capability gaps that have been identified in the mine counter measures (MCM), surface warfare (SUW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) areas in the littoral environment. Mission packages are developed independently from the seaframe and provide the LCS the ability to adapt its payload to meet dynamic mission challenges.

Construction of the General Dynamics LCS began in January 2006. The ship is expected to be delivered to the Navy later this year.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, operates and maintains mission systems for defense, space, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, homeland security and homeland defense customers. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., the company specializes in ground systems, imagery processing, mission payloads, space vehicles; maritime subsurface, surface and airborne mission systems; and tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination programs for national intelligence. More information is available on the Internet at www.gd-ais.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 83,500 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.