STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a $43 million contract to continue the systems development and demonstration (SDD) phase and full-up system live-fire testing of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).

The EFV is the Marine Corps' highest priority expeditionary modernization program. The EFV is an amphibious vehicle that allows Marines to implement operational maneuvers from the sea doctrine. It 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 will provide all required materials, services, personnel and facilities to complete EFV design and development, perform studies and analyses, manufacture and test all SDD prototypes, prepare for production, initiate EFV logistics support, and successfully complete the SDD phase.

The majority of work will be performed by General Dynamics Amphibious Systems, an operating unit of General Dynamics Land Systems, Woodbridge, Va., and is expected to be completed by September 2009. The Marine Corps awarded General Dynamics the EFV contract in 1996. The vehicle entered the SDD phase in 2001. Production of 1,013 vehicles begins in fiscal year 2007 and continues into 2020.

GDLS
30.07.2005