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As Of Filer Filing As/For/On Docs:Pgs Issuer Agent 2/22/08 General Dynamics Corp 10-K 12/31/07 9:263 RR Donnelley/FA
Document/Exhibit Description Pages Size 1: 10-K Annual Report HTML 1,408K 2: EX-10.9 Material Contract HTML 30K 3: EX-21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant HTML 67K 4: EX-23 Consent of Experts or Counsel HTML 7K 5: EX-24 Power of Attorney HTML 12K 6: EX-31.1 Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 302) HTML 12K 7: EX-31.2 Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 302) HTML 12K 8: EX-32.1 Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 906) HTML 7K 9: EX-32.2 Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 906) HTML 7K
| Form 10-K |
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
OR
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-3671
GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| |
13-1673581 | |||
| State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization |
IRS Employer Identification No. |
| 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 100, Falls Church, Virginia |
22042-4513 | |||
| Address of principal executive offices | Zip code |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(703) 876-3000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Name of exchange on which registered | |||
| Common stock, par value $1 per share | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer x Accelerated Filer ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ Smaller Reporting Company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $30,234,885,439
as of June 29, 2007 (based on the closing price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange).
402,225,356 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding at January 27, 2008.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Part III incorporates information from certain portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.
2 General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report
(Dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted)
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
General Dynamics offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; shipbuilding design and construction; and information systems, technologies and services. Incorporated in Delaware, the company employs approximately 83,500 people and has a global presence.
General Dynamics is a company dedicated to consistently delivering superior shareholder returns. Shareholder value is created by a strategy that emphasizes excellence in program execution, sustained organic growth, continuous margin improvement, efficient cash-flow conversion and disciplined capital deployment. To perpetuate growth, management is dedicated to identifying the fast currents in the company’s core markets, seeking opportunities in adjacent markets and broadening the company’s portfolio to encompass a variety of military, federal government, commercial and international customers. The company deploys capital through internal investment, acquisitions, dividends and, when appropriate, the repurchase of company shares on the open market.
In addition to creating shareholder value and delivering the highest quality products and services, the company’s management fosters a corporate culture centered on continuous improvement, innovation, ethical behavior and integrity. This culture is evident in how the company interacts with shareholders, employees, customers, partners and the communities in which it operates.
Formed in 1952 through the combination of Electric Boat Company, Consolidated Vultee (CONVAIR) and other companies, General Dynamics grew internally and through acquisitions until the early 1990s, when it sold nearly all of its divisions except Electric Boat and Land Systems. Beginning in 1995, the company expanded those two core defense businesses by acquiring additional shipyards and combat vehicle-related businesses. In 1997, to reach a new, expanding market, General Dynamics began acquiring companies with expertise in information technology products and services. In 1999, the company purchased Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a business-jet aircraft and aviation support-services company. Since 1995, General Dynamics has acquired and successfully integrated 47 businesses, including four in 2007.
General Dynamics operates through four business groups – Aerospace, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Information Systems and Technology.
AEROSPACE
The Aerospace group designs, manufactures and services a comprehensive offering of mid-size and large-cabin business-jet aircraft. With nearly 50 years of experience in the aerospace market, the group is noted for:
| • | superior aircraft design, quality, safety and reliability; |
| • | technologically advanced onboard systems; and |
| • | industry-leading product support. |
To address the wide-ranging requirements of corporate, government and individual customers, the Aerospace group offers a portfolio of six Gulfstream aircraft across a spectrum of price and performance options. The varying ranges, speeds and cabin dimensions are well suited to the diverse needs of an increasingly global customer base.
General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report 3
For the past several years, the Aerospace group has seen a steady increase in demand for its products around the world, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, India and the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, while experiencing record growth in North American demand, international orders surpassed North American orders in 2007 for the first time in the group’s history. Gulfstream also remains a leading provider of aircraft for government and military service around the world, with aircraft at work in 34 nations. These government aircraft are used for a variety of special-mission applications, including head-of-state/executive transportation, aerial reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, weather research and astronaut training.
To respond to this robust worldwide demand, and to perpetuate that demand going forward, the group has steadily increased annual aircraft production in each of the past four years, has invested in innovative product development and significant facility improvements, and has enhanced its global service network. Aircraft production increases have included both large aircraft, assembled at Aerospace’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, and completed at one of four large-cabin completion facilities; and mid-size aircraft, assembled at a supplier’s facility and completed in the group’s Texas facilities. To ensure that increases in production maintain profitability, the Aerospace group works closely with suppliers and invests in manufacturing productivity and efficiency improvements.
The group continuously invests in research and development (R&D) over the course of each aircraft’s lifecycle to introduce new products and first-to-market enhancements that broaden customer choice, improve aircraft performance and set new standards for customer safety, comfort and in-flight productivity. The latest Gulfstream to enter service, the mid-size Gulfstream G150, demonstrates this innovation. The G150 replaced the G100 model with an entirely new cabin design that incorporates a wider fuselage to improve passenger comfort. The G150 has been well received in both North American and international markets since its entry into service in 2006.
In addition to meeting customers’ demand for the latest in performance, technology and safety, Gulfstream’s new and upgraded aircraft models are designed to minimize lifecycle costs while maximizing parts commonality among the various Gulfstream models. Four of the group’s aircraft – the Gulfstream G350, G450, G500 and G550 – as well as the out-of-production GV, share the same pilot-type rating. For multiple-aircraft fleet operators, this uniformity reduces training and maintenance costs and enhances safety in the operation of the aircraft.
Current product-enhancement and development efforts include initiatives in advanced avionics, flight-control systems, cabin technologies and enhanced vision systems. In 2007 and early 2008, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified two of Gulfstream’s safety-enhancing products – the second-generation Enhanced Vision System (EVS II) and the new Synthetic Vision–Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD). EVS II is a specially designed, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera that projects a real-world infrared image on the pilot’s head-up display (HUD), while Synthetic Vision provides three-dimensional terrain images overlaid onto the EVS II images. The products work in tandem to provide pilots with unparalleled situational awareness regardless of weather, terrain or landing-field conditions.
In March 2006, General Dynamics embarked on a $400, multiyear facilities project designed to create additional R&D offices, improve the customer sales and design center, increase aircraft service capacity and create facilities to build next-generation aircraft in Savannah. Key 2007 developments include:
| • | the ground breaking in April for a new manufacturing facility, with initial phase construction scheduled for completion in spring 2008; |
| • | a lease signing in May for expanded R&D facilities; |
| • | the opening in June of a new Sales and Design Center, a unique facility to help guide customers through the aircraft purchase and interior-design selection process; and |
| • | the opening in August of Phase One of the new South Service Center, which more than doubled the indoor capacity of the Savannah service operation. |
In addition to the increased service capacity in Savannah, the Aerospace group continues to enhance service support capabilities to address the needs of a growing global fleet of installed aircraft. The group remains committed to providing high-quality technical support 24 hours a day for customers in the United States and around the world. The group is building on its extensive network of service centers, warranty facilities, field-service representatives and parts inventory locations. In March 2007, the group acquired WECO Aerospace Systems, Inc. (WECO), of Lincoln, California. WECO is an aviation-component overhaul company specializing in electronics and flight-instrument services.
Aerospace’s commitment to superior customer service continues to garner top industry awards for exemplary product service and support. The group’s unique Airborne Product Support aircraft program, in operation since 2002, exemplifies this award-winning service. This program provides a specially modified G100 to move technicians and parts rapidly to customers when commercial transportation methods would prevent the timely return to service of customer aircraft.
As a market leader, Gulfstream remains focused on:
| • | profitably increasing aircraft production to capitalize on increased global demand; |
| • | driving efficiencies into the aircraft production and service processes; and |
| • | continuously investing in innovative first-to-market technologies and products. |
4 General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report
Net sales for the Aerospace group were 18 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2007, 17 percent in 2006 and 16 percent in 2005. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
| New aircraft |
$ | 4,081 | $ | 3,341 | $ | 2,730 | |||
| Aircraft services |
669 | 558 | 484 | ||||||
| Pre-owned aircraft |
78 | 217 | 219 | ||||||
| Total Aerospace |
$ | 4,828 | $ | 4,116 | $ | 3,433 | |||
COMBAT SYSTEMS
The Combat Systems group is a global leader in the design, development, production, support and enhancement of tracked and wheeled military vehicles, weapons systems and munitions for the United States and its allies. The group’s product lines include:
| • | wheeled armored combat and tactical vehicles; |
| • | tracked main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles; |
| • | guns and ammunition-handling systems; |
| • | ammunition and ordnance; |
| • | mobile bridge systems; |
| • | passive, active and reactive armor; |
| • | chemical, biological and explosive detection systems; |
| • | electronic counter-measures; and |
| • | high-performance composite products. |
Combat Systems has established a strong foundation of key products that have become core platforms for customers across the combat vehicle, armaments and munitions product lines. These long-term production programs provide the group’s management the opportunity to pursue continuous process and productivity improvements to increase customer satisfaction, reduce product lifecycle costs and improve the group’s financial performance. At the same time, the group applies its design and engineering expertise to develop product improvements that advance the utility and performance of these systems, while identifying and positioning itself for opportunities in emerging and adjacent markets.
At the heart of Combat Systems’ core programs are the Stryker wheeled combat vehicle and the Abrams main battle tank. The group is the sole provider of these vehicles – two of the key ground-force assets for the group’s primary customer, the U.S. Army. Both of these vehicles have proven highly effective in operations in Iraq, securing their place in the Army’s force structure for some time to come.
Combat Systems produces Strykers under a contract awarded in 2001, with nearly 2,400 units delivered to date and another 425 remaining through 2009. The Stryker supports numerous missions with 10 variants: infantry carrier, command and control, medical evacuation, fire support, engineering, anti-tank, mortar carrier, reconnaissance, mobile gun system (MGS), and nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance vehicle (NBCRV).
Although Combat Systems has not produced new Abrams tanks since 1996, it continues to support the Army’s evolving needs with technological upgrades, including the System Enhancement Package (SEP) and the Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK). The SEP-configured tank is a digital platform with an enhanced command-and-control system, second-generation thermal sights and improved armor. The TUSK increases the tank’s utility and crew survivability in modern urban warfare scenarios. In addition, through an innovative partnership with the Anniston Army Depot, the group’s Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) program refurbishes the oldest M1A1 Abrams tanks to a like-new condition.
Complementing these combat-vehicle programs are Combat Systems’ munitions and weapons-system programs. The group holds leading or sole-source munitions supply positions for products such as:
| • | the 120mm mortar and the 155mm and 105mm artillery projectile for the U.S. government; |
| • | conventional bomb structures for the U.S. government; |
| • | all mortar systems and large-caliber requirements for the Canadian Department of National Defence; and |
| • | military propellant requirements in the North American market. |
In addition, Combat Systems has been designated the principal second source for the U.S. military’s small-caliber ammunition needs. The acquisition of Canadian corporation SNC-Lavalin Group’s munitions business in January 2007 enhanced these offerings and expanded Combat Systems’ international customer profile.
Combat Systems is also a long-standing leader in the field of high-performance weapons systems. The group manufactures the M2 heavy machine gun and the MK19 and MK47 grenade launchers, as well as weapons for most U.S. fighter aircraft, including all high-speed Gatling guns for fixed-wing aircraft and the Hydra-70 family of rockets.
In addition to supporting these long-term platform and supply programs, Combat Systems has been active in supporting the United States’ ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Beyond providing armor kits, ammunition and logistics support for forces deployed overseas, the group has identified new technologies to respond to its customers’ evolving requirements. Among these are innovative solutions to detect current and emerging threats, including chemical, biological and explosive detection systems, as well as systems to protect U.S. forces against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report 5
To provide U.S. soldiers with improved protection from mines, IEDs and other threats, Combat Systems has established teaming relationships and has leveraged its available capacity and vehicle-integration expertise to participate in the Defense Department’s high-priority mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle program. The group offers two separate vehicles under this program, the RG-31 and the Cougar, which it produces as part of a joint venture. In total, these vehicles constituted approximately 3,500 of the nearly 12,000 vehicles awarded under this program in 2007.
The group is also beginning to see the effects of the high operational tempo of five years of warfare on U.S. military assets, which will require the refurbishment of battle-damaged vehicles, the replacement of equipment that has reached the end of its service life and the replenishment of ammunition and other supplies for the U.S. armed forces. As the principal contractor for the maintenance, repair and reset of Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles, Combat Systems expects the sustaining and upgrading of U.S. forces to become an increasing share of its contract mix.
The Combat Systems group is also focused on innovative technologies and is well positioned to participate in future development programs. For the U.S. Marine Corps, the group continues the design and testing of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), a new expeditionary combat platform designed to replace the service’s current craft. The EFV has a breakthrough design that provides sea maneuverability at speeds up to 25 knots and ground mobility equaling that of the Abrams tank. The company expects the Marine Corps to authorize production of up to 573 vehicles starting in 2012.
Combat Systems is a key team member in the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program and leads the system development of the FCS manned ground vehicle program. Combat Systems is also involved in the development and production of precision munitions systems, including the Army’s Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the Excalibur artillery system – both currently in use in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, the group is involved in the competition for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program to replace the Army’s fleet of Humvees®, as well as the competition for the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) in the United Kingdom. Through these and other efforts, the group is developing new technologies, such as hybrid-electric drive for combat vehicles, autonomous navigation systems for robotic platforms and advanced systems for high-speed amphibious applications.
To expand access to new markets and diversify its customer base beyond the U.S. government, General Dynamics has established a significant presence internationally. The Combat Systems group has become a recognized military-vehicle integrator and leading defense-materiel provider worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Spain and Switzerland, and has customers in more than 30 countries. The group’s European business offers a broad range of products, including light- and medium-weight tracked and wheeled tactical vehicles, amphibious bridge systems, artillery systems, light weapons, ammunition and propellants. Like the group’s U.S. market, many of these systems constitute key platforms employed by its customers’ military forces. These include the Leopard 2E tank and the Pizarro tracked infantry combat vehicle, produced for the Spanish army; the Pandur II armored combat vehicle, produced for the Portuguese army and navy; and the Piranha wheeled armored vehicle, which the group has sold to several European countries.
Beyond the European market, Combat Systems is experiencing increased international demand as a result of the demonstrated success of its fielded products. In particular, the group has opportunities to provide Abrams tanks to Egypt, Strykers to Israel, and light armored vehicles (LAVs) and Abrams tank upgrades to Saudi Arabia.
The Combat Systems group will continue to seek opportunities to improve performance across the business as it delivers on its substantial backlog. In an environment of continuously expanding threats and evolving customer needs, including an increased emphasis on speed to market, the group remains focused on its customers’ requirements and the opportunities they present.
Net sales for the Combat Systems group were 29 percent of the company’s net sales in 2007, 25 percent in 2006 and 24 percent in 2005. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
| Medium armored vehicles |
$ | 3,265 | $ | 2,204 | $ | 1,610 | |||
| Main battle tanks |
1,430 | 1,181 | 931 | ||||||
| Munitions and propellant |
1,276 | 806 | 616 | ||||||
| Armament and detection systems |
761 | 491 | 274 | ||||||
| Engineering and development |
598 | 582 | 810 | ||||||
| Rockets and missile components |
294 | 317 | 324 | ||||||
| Aerospace components and other |
173 | 402 | 456 | ||||||
| Total Combat Systems |
$ | 7,797 | $ | 5,983 | $ | 5,021 | |||
MARINE SYSTEMS
The Marine Systems group designs, builds and supports submarines and surface ships for the U.S. Navy and commercial ships for Jones Act customers. The group operates three of the six shipyards in the United States that perform large-ship construction for the Navy, including one of the country’s two nuclear submarine yards and the only yard that services deep-draft surface ships on the West Coast. The group’s diverse portfolio of platforms and capabilities includes:
| • | nuclear-powered submarines (Virginia Class); |
| • | surface combatants (DDG-51, DDG-1000, LCS); |
| • | auxiliary and combat-logistics ships (T-AKE); |
| • | commercial ships; |
| • | engineering design support; and |
| • | overhaul, repair and lifecycle support services. |
6 General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report
The substantial majority of Marine Systems’ workload supports the U.S. Navy through the construction of new ships and the design and development of next-generation platforms to help the customer face evolving missions and maintain its desired fleet size, as well as maintenance and repair services to maximize the life of in-service ships. This business consists of major ship-construction programs awarded under large, multi-ship contracts that span several years. The group’s mature construction programs currently consist of the fast-attack Virginia-class submarine, the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) guided-missile destroyer and the Lewis and Clark-class (T-AKE) dry cargo/ammunition combat-logistics ship.
The Virginia-class submarine is the first U.S. submarine designed to address post-Cold War threats, including capabilities tailored for both open-ocean and near-shore area missions. These stealthy ships are well suited for a variety of global assignments, including clandestine intelligence gathering, special-operations missions and sea-based missile launch.
The Navy’s Virginia-class program of record includes 30 submarines, which the customer is procuring in multi-ship blocks. In late 2007, Marine Systems commenced sea trials for the fourth and final ship under the group’s cost-reimbursable Block I contract. The group, in conjunction with an industry partner that shares in the construction of these vessels, is working on five of the next six ships under the fixed-price Block II contract. Deliveries of these ships are scheduled through 2013. General Dynamics expects to sign a Block III contract in 2008 for eight additional ships for delivery through 2018. As a result of strong Navy and congressional support, innovative cost-saving design and production efforts, and successful program execution, the group expects to begin building two submarines per year as early as 2011, one year earlier than previously planned.
Marine Systems is the lead designer and producer of Arleigh Burke destroyers, a sophisticated class of surface combatants and the only active destroyer in the Navy’s global surface fleet. During 2007, the group delivered USS Sampson, the 28th of 34 DDG-51 ships the Navy has contracted with the company to build. The six remaining ships are scheduled for delivery between 2008 and 2011.
The group’s T-AKE is the Navy’s first new combat-logistics ship design in almost 20 years and the first Navy ship to incorporate proven commercial marine technologies, such as integrated electric-drive propulsion. These technologies are designed to minimize T-AKE operations and maintenance costs over an expected 40-year life. The T-AKE ships support the Navy’s Sea Basing vision by delivering ammunition, food, fuel, parts and other supplies to U.S. and NATO operating forces around the world. Following the delivery of the first T-AKE in 2006, the Navy deployed the ship to the Arabian Gulf. In 2007, the group delivered the next three ships, and work is underway on four of the remaining six ships currently under contract, with deliveries scheduled through 2010. With one ship currently deployed overseas and three other ships in service, the T-AKE class is already contributing to the Navy’s forward presence posture. The T-AKE contract was restructured in 2007 to include five additional option ships, which could bring the total number of ships in the program to 14. The Navy exercised the option for the 10th ship and authorized procurement of long-lead materials for the 11th ship in January 2008.
In 2007, the group completed the conversion of four Trident ballistic-missile submarines to guided-missile submarines, or SSGNs. Through close collaboration with the Navy’s public shipyards, the group successfully delivered the four ships on schedule and under budget. The SSGNs are multi-mission submarines optimized for conventional tactical-strike and special-operations support. They allow the United States to engage targets quickly, with surprise and from close-in positions. The first of the four boats, USS Ohio, successfully completed all post-conversion testing in 2007 and recently departed on an inaugural 300-day deployment.
The Marine Systems group is also participating in the development of technologies and naval platforms for the future.
With DDG-51 construction nearing completion, the group is focused on the design of the next-generation guided-missile destroyer, the DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class. The company has one of two contracts for the detail design of this multi-mission destroyer under a congressionally directed dual-lead-ship strategy, which requires that the vessels be procured from two separate shipyards. In February 2008, the Navy awarded the company a construction contract for the first DDG-1000.
Marine Systems leads one of two industry teams awarded contracts for the design and construction of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a new high-speed surface warship designed to address emerging coastal-water threats. The LCS is a multi-mission warship that can be configured to combat a variety of threats in near-shore waters, including small boats, mines and submarines. Marine Systems’ LCS is derived from a proven commercial trimaran design and is well suited to accommodate the speed, draft and cargo capacity requirements of this new combatant class of warships. The group’s first ship is under construction at a teammate’s Alabama facility and is scheduled to be launched in 2008. The Navy cancelled the contract for the group’s second ship in 2007 and continues to assess future LCS construction requirements.
In 2007, the group continued to apply its design expertise on a joint Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)-Navy initiative to identify and overcome technological barriers to reducing the cost of future submarines. The group is developing technologies to propel submarines with external electric motors and to reduce the ship’s infrastructure and improve its sensors.
In addition to these design and construction programs, the Marine Systems group provides comprehensive ship and submarine overhaul, repair and lifecycle support services to extend the service life of these vessels and maximize the value of these ships to the customer. The group also provides international allies with program management, planning and engineering design support for submarine and surface-ship construction programs.
General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report 7
Beyond its Navy programs, the group designs and produces ships for commercial customers to meet the Jones Act requirement that ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports be built in U.S. shipyards. In 2006, General Dynamics signed a contract with U.S. Shipping Partners to build up to nine product-carrier ships. These product carriers are based on a design the company obtained through a strategic partnership with a well-established international commercial shipyard. The partnership allows Marine Systems to offer proven commercial ship designs to Jones Act customers, to learn best practices that improve efficiency and throughput, and to achieve cost savings on materials procured through the partnership. The group laid the keel of the first ship in late 2007, and delivery is expected in the first quarter of 2009.
To further the group’s goals of efficiency and continuous program improvement, General Dynamics is committed to strategic investments in its shipyards in partnership with the Navy and local governments. In 2007, capital improvement projects included the refurbishment of a submarine dry dock, construction of a facility to enable significant modular construction efficiencies for current and next-generation destroyers, and development of a material staging area to facilitate construction of the commercial product carriers. In addition to these investments, the Marine Systems group continues to leverage its design and engineering expertise across its shipyards to improve program execution and generate cost savings. This knowledge sharing enables the group to use resources more efficiently and promote process improvements throughout the business. The group is well positioned to effectively fulfill the long-term ship-construction and support requirements of its Navy and commercial customers.
Net sales for the Marine Systems group were 18 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2007, 21 percent in 2006 and 23 percent in 2005. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
| Nuclear-powered submarines |
$ | 2,355 | $ | 2,427 | $ | 2,396 | |||
| Surface combatants |
1,112 | 1,088 | 1,008 | ||||||
| Auxiliary and commercial ships |
953 | 807 | 598 | ||||||
| Repair and other services |
573 | 618 | 693 | ||||||
| Total Marine Systems | $ | 4,993 | $ | 4,940 | $ | 4,695 | |||
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
The Information Systems and Technology group offers technologies, products and services that support a wide range of government and commercial needs. General Dynamics created the group in 1998, and it has grown significantly in response to the expanded markets for digital network-centric command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and information-sharing technologies in the U.S. and allied national-security, defense and intelligence communities. Information Systems and Technology has evolved through acquisitions and by expanding the capabilities, products and customers of the three-part portfolio that the company established in creating the group – tactical and strategic mission systems, information technology and mission services, and intelligence mission systems. Over the past 10 years, through 25 acquisitions and organic growth, the group has become General Dynamics’ largest segment. The group today operates in three principal markets, described below.
Tactical and strategic mission systems – The group designs, manufactures and delivers trusted and secure communications network systems, ruggedized computers, command-and-control systems and operational hardware to Department of Defense, intelligence, federal civilian agency and international customers.
This market is characterized by programs such as the U.S. Army’s Joint Network Node (JNN)/Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) battlefield communications networks, which the Army restructured into a single program in 2007. As the prime contractor, the group is responsible for the design, engineering, integration, production, program management and support of the Army’s primary current and future battlefield communications network. This network uses ground and satellite communications links to provide commanders with the digital telecommunications services they need to access intelligence information, initiate battle plans, collaborate with other military elements, issue orders and monitor the status of their forces.
The group also provides many of these capabilities to non-U.S. customers, through programs such as the BOWMAN digital voice and data communication system for the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, the New Integrated Marines Communications and Information System (NIMCIS) for the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, and the IRIS Tactical Command, Control and Communications System program for the Canadian Department of National Defence.
The Information Systems and Technology group’s leadership in this market has been developed through decades of experience in designing, building and supporting previous generations of communications technologies. With roots in commercial markets, the group’s expertise and record of innovation encompass all of the decisive technologies that enable design and deployment of tactical networking systems. These include:
| • | ruggedized mobile computing solutions with embedded wireless capability; |
8 General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report
| • | information assurance technologies, products, systems and services that ensure the security and integrity of digital communications worldwide; |
| • | broadband networking and automated network management; |
| • | digital switching; |
| • | encryption technologies; |
| • | very-high and ultra-high-frequency radio communications; and |
| • | fixed and mobile satellite communications systems and antenna technologies. |
In addition to the work it does for the defense and intelligence communities, Information Systems and Technology has increased its business in the Department of Homeland Security and federal civilian markets through programs such as Rescue 21 and the Integrated Wireless Network (IWN) contract. Rescue 21 is a state-of-the-art search-and-rescue system that the U.S. Coast Guard uses to locate distressed mariners and deploy rescue assets. The IWN program is a joint effort by the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and the Treasury to provide a nationwide, interoperable wireless communications service in support of federal law enforcement, homeland security and first-responder operations.
Information technology and mission services – The group provides mission-critical information technology (IT) and skilled mission-support services to U.S. defense and national-security customers as well as select federal civilian agencies and commercial customers. The group also specializes in:
| • | the design, development and integration of wireline and wireless voice, video and data networks; |
| • | mission simulation and training services; and |
| • | secure identification and credentialing capabilities. |
In this market, Information Systems and Technology has a longstanding reputation for excellence in providing technical-support personnel and domain specialists that enable customers to execute their missions effectively. For many customers, Information Systems and Technology employees are the on-call staff who provide technical support for both desktop technology and mission-specific hardware. For others, they are skilled in the tools and techniques of specific mission systems, providing the personnel to conceive, install and operate systems on a day-to-day basis.
In Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for example, Information Systems and Technology employees provide training and IT support services for critical Army intelligence missions, merging live data with network-centric computer-based simulations. The group also has provided enterprise-wide IT and information management services to Naval Air Systems Command for more than 10 years as the customer’s primary logistics-support contractor. In Iraq, the group supports the Army’s military health-care IT mission, helping ensure continuity of care for injured soldiers by providing accurate, timely information to medical staff both in the field and at treatment facilities.
Information Systems and Technology also is a principal supplier of network modernization and IT infrastructure services to U.S. government customers. As one of the U.S. Air Force’s leading partners for network modernization, the group has provided IT support services to more than 75 Air Force bases, and it currently supports all Air Force main operating bases. The group has earned 100 percent award fees for performance excellence over the past five years on the Pentagon Renovation program, where it provides network-infrastructure services ranging from system architecture and design to build-out, maintenance and operations. The group also has provided continuous enterprise-wide IT services and support to the U.S. Senate for more than five years.
Intelligence mission systems – The group provides the U.S. and allied intelligence communities with highly specialized intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. These include:
| • | signals and information collection, processing and distribution systems; |
| • | special-purpose computing; |
| • | multi-level security; |
| • | data mining and fusion; |
| • | open-architecture mission systems and service-oriented architecture; |
| • | special-mission satellites and payloads; and |
| • | information operations services. |
For example, one of the group’s businesses has a 50-year legacy of providing advanced fire control systems for Navy submarine programs. This includes more than 30 years of providing payloads and sensors, ground mission processing and intelligence analysis for critical national defense programs. With the development of the core mission system for the Navy’s LCS, the group has established an open architecture that provides greater mission flexibility and requires fewer sailors than current combatants. The group continues to extend its market presence in Navy strategic programs with a recent award for onboard computing upgrades to the Trident D5 missile.
Information Systems and Technology also is a leading provider of personnel with mission-specific experience in executing programs in the intelligence field. In partnership with the U.S. Joint Forces Command, for example, the group integrates collaborative C4ISR environments in support of worldwide training exercises.
In addition, the group continues to extend its legacy of providing special payloads and communications capabilities to spacecraft. The group is part of a team that was recently selected to provide the next-generation ground-control segment for the nation’s Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II and future Block III satellites. This program includes satellite command and control, mission planning, constellation management, monitoring stations and ground antennas.
The group’s contracts in securing and protecting the Internet have resulted in a leading market position in computer forensics, countering
General Dynamics 2007 Annual Report 9
identity theft and preventing credit card fraud. In addition, based on strong capabilities in information operations, computer network defense, and the certification and accreditation of multi-level secure C4ISR systems, the group is well positioned to meet the emerging requirements of the Air Force Cyber Command.
General Dynamics purchased two companies in 2007 that expanded the group’s capabilities in the intelligence market. On October 24, the company acquired Monteria, LLC, of Mount Airy, Maryland, which designs and manufactures technologies and systems dedicated exclusively to supporting the signals intelligence (SIGINT) community. On November 13, the company acquired Mediaware International Pty Ltd. of Australia, which develops real-time full-motion compressed digital video processing software and systems for defense, intelligence and commercial customers.
Although diversion of funding to high-priority war requirements has slowed the growth in some areas of the Information Systems and Technology group’s broad portfolio, the group’s increasingly diversified customer base has stimulated new opportunities in each of these principal markets. As the group continues to grow, it is positioned to take advantage of:
| • | the Defense Department’s increasing use of multiyear indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicles; |
| • | the federal government’s continued use of outsourced IT solutions; and |
| • | the growing requirements among homeland security and intelligence customers faced with asymmetric threats. |
Net sales for the Information Systems and Technology group were 35 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2007 and 37 percent in each of 2006 and 2005. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
| Tactical and strategic mission systems |
$ | 4,008 | $ | 4,063 | $ | 3,912 | |||
| IT and mission services |
3,584 | 2,894 | 1,804 | ||||||
| Intelligence mission systems |
2,030 | 2,067 | 2,110 | ||||||
| Total Information Systems and Technology |
$ | 9,622 | $ | 9,024 | $ | 7,826 | |||
For additional discussion of General Dynamics’ businesses, including