General Dynamics gets $2B Future Combat Systems deal

General Dynamics Land Systems, a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., won a $2 billion contract from Boeing Co. to develop manned ground vehicles for the Army's Future Combat Systems program, the company said.

The FCS program is described as a networked "system of systems" that includes 18 manned and unmanned ground and aerial vehicles connected by an advanced communications network.

"The program's systems of systems approach brings advanced technologies to the soldiers of the future, allowing them to operate across the full spectrum of combat operations," said Mike Bolon, General Dynamics Land Systems senior vice president of engineering, design and development.

In January 2003, Falls Church, Va.-based General Dynamics and Arlington, Va.-based United Defense LP were chosen to form a design team for eight manned ground vehicles that share common components and subsystems. Under this contract, General Dynamics will lead the manned ground vehicle design team through engineering, testing and demonstration.

The new smaller and lighter vehicles eventually will replace today's tanks, artillery and infantry carriers. The first manned ground vehicles are to be equipped by 2008.

In May 2003, the Army and its lead systems integrator team of Chicago-based Boeing and San Diego-based Science Applications International Corp. began the system development and demonstration phase of FCS.

With 2002 revenue of $13.8 billion, General Dynamics is ranked No. 7 on Washington Technology's 2003 Top 100 list, which measures federal prime contracting revenue.