GD Awarded $10 M by US Navy to Produce F/A-18 Gun Systems

(Charlotte, N.C., August 31, 2010) -- The U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Md., in May awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a $9.8 million contract to produce the M61A2 20mm Gatling gun system for the F/A-18E/F aircraft. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Production work will be performed at General Dynamics' facility in Saco, Maine, and the program will be managed at General Dynamics' Burlington Technology Center in Vermont. Work is expected to be completed in September 2012.

The M61A2 20mm Gatling gun system is mounted in the nose of the aircraft and can fire a rate of 4,000 or 6,000 shots per minute. The M61A2 is 20 percent lighter than the previous model and operates on a closed-loop rotary, linkless ammunition feed system.

Mike O'Brien, vice president and general manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, said, "The M61A2 offers a lightweight, reliable gun system to protect U.S. servicemen and women. Our work force in Maine takes great pride in manufacturing the M61A2 for U.S. warfighters."

Source : General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD)