CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC), in Picatinny, N.J., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a $37 million contract for the qualification and production of reactive armor side skirt tiles for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle System. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The reactive armor system is comprised of tiles that fasten to the exterior of a vehicle allowing it to better withstand a direct hit from a variety of anti-armor munitions. In addition to manufacturing the reactive armor tiles for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the Abrams Tank, General Dynamics provides complete assembly, integration and storage capabilities.

'Our reactive armor technology provides an added level of vehicle protection against shape-charged threats, including rocket propelled grenades,' said Russ Klein, vice president and general manager of weapon systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. 'Designed specifically for the U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle, our reactive armor is saving lives and preventing severe damage to combat vehicles in Iraq.'

Work under this contract will be performed at the General Dynamics' facility in McHenry, Miss., and is expected to be completed in November 2009. As a strategic partner, RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd., Ordnance Systems Division, will share the production workload in Haifa, Israel. The program will be managed from General Dynamics' Burlington Technology Center, Burlington, Vt.

General Dynamics' site in McHenry, Miss., is the load, assemble and pack facility for the company's reactive armor tile program. General Dynamics manufactures reactive armor tiles for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and Abrams Tank and provides complete assembly, integration and storage capabilities. More information about General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products can be found on the Internet at www.gdatp.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of approximately $29.5 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products