CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $17 million contract to produce gun systems for the Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and the Centurion Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System by Raytheon Missile Systems (NYSE: RTN) of Louisville, Ky. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is the most recent upgrade of the Phalanx CIWS. Phalanx is a fully autonomous, radar-directed, rapid-fire 20mm Gatling-gun system that provides naval ships with the last line of defense against a variety of threats including anti-ship missiles, aircraft, high-speed watercraft and other air and surface threats. The upgrade adds enhanced fire-control capability, optimized gun barrels and an integrated Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system.

In the Centurion configuration, a Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is mounted on a stabilized wheeled platform to protect ground forces and high-value sites against rocket, artillery and mortar threats. Currently deployed by the United States in overseas contingency operations, Centurion has successfully intercepted and destroyed more than 100 threats.

"The Phalanx is the only deployed close-in weapon system capable of searching, tracking and engaging littoral warfare threats," said Jo Ann Kramer, program manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

The gun systems will be produced at General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products' facility in Saco, Maine, with program management performed at the company's Burlington, Vt.-based Technology Center, and testing conducted at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vt.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte, N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military and commercial applications. The company designs, develops and produces high-performance weapon and armament systems, defensive armor, countermeasure systems and aerospace composite solutions, as well as off-road axle and suspension systems. It is also a leading U.S. producer of biological and chemical detection systems. 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 92,300 people worldwide. 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

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