General Dynamics Awarded $34 Million for Joint Biological Point Detection System Production and Support

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a $34 million contract option for production, testing and field support packages for Joint Biological Point Detection Systems (JBPDS). This option modifies a contract initially awarded in 2004, bringing the total value of that contract to more than $260 million to date. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

General Dynamics’ JBPDS is a self-contained instrument suite that rapidly detects and identifies biological warfare agents. Available in man-portable, shelter-based, ship-based and trailer-mounted variants, the JBPDS is a Joint Services program and is configured to meet the operational requirements of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force.

According to General Dynamics’ vice president of detection systems, Bill Gural, “The Joint Biological Point Detection System provides our customers with an advanced level of protection. The system is based on a robust bio-detection instrument suite that is fully functional in any operational environment. The system provides automatic detection and identification of airborne biological agents at very low levels, triggers local and remote warning systems, and communicates threat information over standard communication systems. We’re proud to be on the leading edge of innovations to protect our country from evolving threats and look forward to continuing our work with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center.”

Work will be performed by the existing labor force at General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products’ Charlotte, N.C., detection and protection production facility, with an estimated completion date in late 2010. The Charlotte facility provides industry-leading development, manufacturing and integration of advanced biological and chemical agent detection systems.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte, N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military and commercial applications. The company designs, develops and produces high-performance weapon and armament systems, defensive armor, countermeasure systems, aerospace composite solutions, and is a leading U.S. producer of biological and chemical detection systems. More information about General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products can be found on the Internet at www.gdatp.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,900 people worldwide. 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 General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

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