General Dynamics to start Navy air defense production

General Dynamics Corp. won a $45 million contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command for engineering support services and the low-rate initial production of an integrated air defense planning and execution system.

The initial award for the Area Air Defense Commander Capability system is $21 million; if options are exercised, the contract's value rises to more than $45 million.

The system uses commercial computer technology to allow joint task force commanders to plan and coordinate air defenses across broad operational areas. It uses 3-D technology to facilitate battle management by reducing planning time from days to hours - and in some cases to minutes - by combining information from data links into graphic representations of the military theater.

Friendly forces and hostile aircraft, cruise and theater ballistic missiles are identified, and their headings and impact zones are indicated in near real time, providing officers with a complete view of the action.

The system is deployed on ships such as USS Mount Whitney, Blue Ridge and Shiloh. General Dynamics will field additional systems and provide operational support under this award.

General Dynamics, Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 54,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2002 revenue of about $14 billion.