General Dynamics wins detection system work

General Dynamics Corp. won a $25 million delivery order from the Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., to produce joint biological point detection systems, the company said today.

The detection systems are self-powered, biological-warfare agent instruments that detect and identify airborne viruses, bacteria and toxins. Each system automatically collects and analyzes environmental samples and reports information about agents detected. It is configured to meet the operational requirements of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

As part of a firm fixed-price contract, the delivery order was awarded to the company's armament and technical products business unit. The contract has a potential value of up to $750 million for up to 1,089 systems through 2009, if all options are exercised.

Around 40 percent of the work will be performed at the business unit's new detection and protection production facility, while the remainder is completed at facilities in Columbus, Ohio. The expected completion date is Aug. 31, 2009.

Based in Falls Church, Va., General Dynamics employs about 69,400 workers worldwide and had 2003 revenue of $16.6 billion. The company is No. 6 on Washington Technology's 2004 Top 100 list of government contractors.