General Dynamics Awarded $25 Million by U.S. Army to Produce MK47 Weapon Systems

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $24.9 million contract by the U.S. Army to produce MK47 advanced lightweight grenade launcher (ALGL) systems.  The contract supports a foreign military sale and is a firm fixed price award for 130 MK47 systems that each include the lightweight video sight systems, spare parts and technical support.  Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2012 and be completed by August 2012.  General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The TACOM Contracting Center (TCC) in Rock Island, Ill., awarded the contract in July.  Program management will be conducted in Burlington, Vt., with production occurring at General Dynamics' Saco, Maine, facility.  Work will be completed by the company's existing workforce.

"The MK47 is a reliable, portable 40mm grenade weapon system suited for mobile, tactical combat infantry units, particularly against soft and lightly-armored targets," said Mike O'Brien, vice president and general manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.  "The MK47 has been demonstrated in combat to be a one-shot, one-kill weapon system."

The MK47, also known as the STRIKER(40), is an ALGL capable of firing air bursting munitions.  General Dynamics is partnered with Raytheon to build the lightweight video system fire control, which assists in the detection, recognition and first-round engagement of target threats.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte, N.C., provide 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 91,000 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 Armament and Technical Products