ARLINGTON, Va. – The General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) team has applied its proven open architecture and open business model approach to provide the U.S. Navy with the most capable, most affordable, best-of-industry, non-proprietary solutions for Independence, the first General Dynamics ship, now under construction in Mobile, Ala., and the second General Dynamics ship, which is expected to be awarded later this year.

“The General Dynamics open architecture approach uniquely enables us to provide the Navy with the optimum solution at any point in time and enables us to integrate leading products as they become available,” said Mike Tweed-Kent, vice president and general manager of maritime digital systems for General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.

General Dynamics’ open architecture and open business model approach facilitates capability upgrades and reduces future costs through continual industry competition, resulting in the best solution for the U.S. Navy. This model uses an open architecture technical infrastructure, published interfaces, strict adherence to industry standards, and commercially available products to prevent any contractor from locking a customer into proprietary systems that eliminate competition and limit customer access to alternatives.

“We currently have a solid LCS team in place and this open, competitive, best-of-industry process is one step to ensure that we will continue to give all combat system and electronics suppliers the opportunity to show us what they can bring to bear for our core mission system in the next phase of the program,” said Tweed-Kent.

“Our open business model approach allows us to select the best suppliers to provide the U.S. Navy with cutting edge technology at an affordable cost. This process directly helps the U.S. Navy save money by making it possible to incorporate and upgrade functionality at a level that fosters innovation and competition.”

The General Dynamics team will conduct an open competition to identify the best combat system capabilities, shipboard electronics and software for the third General Dynamics LCS and follow-on ships. To kick off its best-of-industry process, on May 31, 2006, from 8 a.m. to noon (EDT), at the Washington Dulles Marriott at 45020 Aviation Drive in Dulles, Va., the team will share its approach and discuss upcoming opportunities in the next phase of the LCS program for current and potential industry suppliers. The industry day is open to all suppliers in the areas of command and control, communications, sensors, weapons, effectors, sea frame control, displays and electronics. For more information and to register, visit http://www.gdlcs.com/resources_industry.html.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading provider of transformational mission solutions in command, control, communications, and computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Customers include those in the defense, intelligence, homeland security and homeland defense communities. More information is available on the Internet at www.gd-ais.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 72,200 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.