CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a $13.8 million modification from the U.S. Army`s TACOM/ARDEC Picatinny Arsenal (Picatinny, N.J.) for the production of enhanced-capability reactive armor for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle System.

This award modifies a contract originally awarded in November 2004, bringing the total contract value to $46.75 million for 152 vehicle sets. The reactive armor package, designed specifically for the U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle, is saving lives and preventing crippling damage to combat vehicles in Iraq, giving units equipped with the armor a clear advantage on the battlefield.

The system is made up of "tiles" that fasten to the exterior of the vehicles. Equipped with the General Dynamics reactive armor, the Bradley is better able to withstand a direct hit from a variety of anti-armor munitions, including shoulder-fired rocket propelled grenades, which are prevalent in many of today`s regional conflicts. This contract modification represents the continuation of a successful program with the Army and a successful relationship with General Dynamics` strategic partner, RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd., Ordnance Systems (Haifa, Israel), which will share 50 percent of the production workload.

The production program will be directed from the General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products Burlington Technology Center, Burlington, Vt., with U.S. tile production occurring at the company`s reactive armor facility in Stone County, Miss. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte, N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military applications. The company designs, develops and produces high-performance armament systems; a full range of advanced composite-based products; biological and chemical detection systems; and mobile shelter systems.

General Dynamics
05.05.2005