General Dynamics Showcases Capabilities for “Operations from the Maritime Domain” at 2006 Sea-Air-Space Show

Featured products and programs include:

Littoral Combat Ship: General Dynamics will offer virtual-reality tours and simulations of its LCS Integrated Command Center. This command center includes several of the applications the operators will use to perform their missions. General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-2) is a key element of the Navy's plan to address asymmetric threats. Intended to operate in coastal areas of the globe, the ship will be fast, highly maneuverable and geared to supporting mine detection/elimination, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare, particularly against small surface craft.

Virginia Class Submarine: The first class of naval combatant ship designed specifically for post-Cold War missions, the Virginia has been designed from the ground up to operate as a key element of a joint naval force. Unobtrusive, non-provocative and connected with land, air, sea and space-based assets, Virginia-class ships are uniquely equipped to wage multi-dimensional warfare in the farthest reaches of the globe, providing the U.S. Navy with continued dominance in coastal waters or the open ocean. These submarines will transit submerged at high speeds, undetected, independent of sea state or logistic support. They will arrive ready for action and remain on station for extended periods.

T-AKE Ships: NASSCO has designed and is building the first four of 11 T-AKE dry cargo / ammunition ships expected in the class. The first new underway replenishment ship design in nearly two decades, these vessels are the first to combine international marine commercial technologies and commercial ship-design features to minimize procurement and operating costs over their projected 40-year lives.  USNS Lewis and Clark, the lead ship of the class, will be delivered to the U.S. Navy later this year. 

SSGN: Electric Boat is converting four Trident SSBN submarines to an SSGN configuration optimized for special operations and covert tactical strike. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is responsible for developing, producing and integrating the Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS) for the converted Ohio-class SSGN submarines.  The first SSGN to be converted USS Ohio, was returned to service in February; re-delivery of the second ship, USS Florida, will occur in the near future. Cited by President Bush as a prime example of military transformation, SSGNs will carry Special Operations troops and up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. SSGNs also will serve as platforms to develop and test new weapons systems, sensors and operational concepts that will further transform naval warfare.

Affordable Capability: Bath Iron Works is responding to the Navy’s need for increased warfighting capability at reduced cost. Within today’s three key surface Navy programs, DD(X), the Littoral Combat Ship and DDG Modernization, Bath Iron Works continues to focus on three critical elements that are essential to providing and sustaining affordable warfighting capabilities - Innovation, Products, and Service to the Warfighter. Balancing these elements at each stage of a program will facilitate the goal of achieving affordable capability for the Navy.

Special Mission Aircraft: More Gulfstream aircraft are performing government and military service than any other large-cabin business jet aircraft in the world. More than 30 countries worldwide operate Gulfstreams, including 23 nations that use the aircraft to transport their heads of state. Within the U.S., Gulfstream aircraft account for most of the large-cabin business jets delivered to the government since 1967.

Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle: Developed by General Dynamics Land Systems, EFV will provide high-speed transport of embarked Marine infantry from ships located beyond the horizon to inland objectives, providing armor-protected land mobility and direct-fire support during combat operations.

MK46 Mod 1: A 30mm weapon station developed for the U.S. Navy, the MK46 provides the close-in gun system capability that is required by LPD-17 class ships to defend and defeat surface threats.

MK49 Mod 0: This remotely operated, stabilized small-arms mount enables an operator within a ship to use the on-mount optics to engage the enemy at a safe distance. The system is being developed for the U.S. Navy and SOCOM.

Common Affordable Workstation: Common Affordable Workstation (CAW) provides Navy and Defense Department users with an affordable, easily upgradeable, modular display console, using commercial off-the-shelf products in an open architecture system. CAW represents a cost-effective replacement for legacy displays in combat systems, propulsion control and other shipboard and airborne applications.

Automated Storage and Retrieval System: ASRS provides automated warehousing capabilities (similar to systems used by Wal-Mart) onboard ships. This technology-development project will be adaptable to a wide variety of ship and hold configurations, and directly supports the Navy’s Seabasing goals.