General Dynamics Announces Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Sites
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has selected Prince William County, Virginia, to be the integration and assembly site for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), formerly known as the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV). The Lima Army Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio, was selected to fabricate the structures of the EFV.
Prince William County was selected because it had the highest composite score measured against all site-selection criteria. The site provides the required main assembly building and infrastructure, immediate access for automotive and water testing, and excellent transportation options.
General Dynamics Land Systems won the competition in June 1996 to develop and build the U.S. Marine Corps’ new EFV. The program calls for the delivery of more than 1,000 vehicles to the USMC with production beginning in 2005 and continuing into 2018.
“The production site selection process was complex and meticulous,” said John Wosina, General Dynamics Land Systems vice president of amphibious systems. “We looked at six major factors: cost, facility and the related infrastructure, performance testing capability, environmental considerations, information technology, and transportation availability. Each of the 10 bids was evaluated very carefully and objectively. We selected the offer that provided the best value.”
The Lima Army Tank Plant was selected because of its world-class capability in structure fabrication and the welding of complex specialized materials. The plant is a government-owned, General Dynamics-operated facility that fabricates and assembles armored combat vehicles. The EFV program will also draw from suppliers in 43 states.
The EFV is the Marine Corps’ highest priority ground combat modernization program. Its breakthrough amphibious design provides outstanding cross-country mobility, lethal firepower, high water speed and optimum crew protection and survivability. EFV also provides the elements of flexibility and tactical surprise critical to establishing battlefield dominance. Its inherent land mobility will provide uninterrupted momentum to attack the enemy’s vulnerabilities.
EFV can launch forces from 20 to 25 nautical miles at sea and transport its crew of three and 17 combat-ready Marines to shore at speeds in excess of 20 knots (three times faster than the current platform’s speed). It is capable of speeds up to 45 mph on land. The EFV is replacing the 30 year-old and less capable AAV7s.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 64,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2003 revenues of $15.5 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission-critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation.
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Any "forward-looking statements" contained in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
General Dynamics Corporation (ticker: GD, exchange: NYSE)
News Release - Tuesday, August 26, 2003
Press Contact: (586) 825-7980
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