General Dynamics to Deliver Open Architecture-based Combat Systems for 10 Littoral Combat Ships

FAIRFAX, Va., Jan. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has been awarded a contract by Austal USA to be the Platform Systems Engineering Agent (PSEA) of the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The initial contract award is for one ship, with nine additional ships in the following five years. The work on the initial contract will be performed through 2014. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

As the PSEA, General Dynamics is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the ship's combat and seaframe control systems. The General Dynamics combat and seaframe control systems are based on an open architecture computing infrastructure, known as OPEN CI. It ensures the most innovative and affordable solutions are incorporated into the systems in rapid, affordable spiral development cycles. The seamless integration of these solutions dramatically lowers acquisition and lifecycle costs while addressing the Navy's evolving and dynamic mission requirements.

"We will continue to deliver an affordable, flexible combat capability that meets the Navy's vision for open architecture and helps ensure that Navy warfighters have the most capable and advanced systems available," said Lou Von Thaer, president, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.

OPEN CI provides a highly flexible information technology backbone that allows "plug and play" integration for the ship's systems and its mission modules, which are interchangeable packages of specialized equipment that allow the Navy to quickly reconfigure the ship for changing mission requirements. The system meets Navy open architecture requirements, it strictly adheres to published industry standards and facilitates the integration of best-in-class commercially available products.

"General Dynamics developed a flexible and non-proprietary approach to systems integration that provides the Navy with increased capability at a lower cost," said Mike Tweed-Kent, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Mission Integration Systems division. "Our team of engineers took an innovative approach to meet the Navy's requirements using leading edge technologies, such as any-display-anywhere systems, to reduce manpower and to rapidly deliver new and more powerful capabilities to the fleet. This approach has proven itself on the USS Independence and we will continue to bring new innovations to bear throughout the lifecycle of the Littoral Combat Ship program."

This contract could create more than 500 additional jobs with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, Mass., as well as in Mobile, Ala., Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey and California. Additionally, this work will continue to support more than 450 LCS suppliers across the country, including 97 located in Massachusetts.

Tweed-Kent added, "On behalf of General Dynamics, we thank our employees and our teammates – BAE Systems, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, L-3 Communications, Northrop Grumman and Sensis Corporation – for their contributions to this award."

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a provider of end-to-end intelligence and cyber solutions and mission systems integration to customers in the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities. More information is available online at www.gd-ais.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 90,000 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 General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems