FALLS CHURCH, Va. – General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) today reported 2009 fourth-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $618 million, or $1.58 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to 2008 fourth-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $630 million, or $1.62 per share fully diluted. Full-year 2009 earnings from continuing operations were $2.41 billion, or $6.20 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to $2.48 billion and $6.22 per share, respectively, for 2008. Revenue was $7.9 billion in the fourth quarter and $32 billion for the full-year, an increase of 9.2 percent over full-year 2008.

Margins

Company-wide operating margins increased to 12 percent for the fourth quarter of 2009, driven by improved performance at each of the company’s defense businesses. Notably, operating margins increased in Combat Systems by 160 basis points; Marine Systems and Information Systems and Technology also improved margin performance, by 50 and 80 basis points, respectively, in the quarter.

Cash

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter and $2.86 billion for the full year. Free cash flow from operations, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, was $1.36 billion in the quarter and $2.47 billion for the year. Free cash flow as a percentage of earnings from continuing operations was 103 percent for the year.

Backlog

The company’s total backlog was $65.5 billion at the end of the fourth quarter, reflecting increases in both Aerospace and Combat Systems over the end of the third quarter. In Aerospace, new-aircraft order activity continued to be strong in the fourth quarter. Combat Systems received significant orders in the quarter as well, including a $2.2 billion contract for a foreign military sale of light armored vehicles, and $320 million for design, engineering, modernization and enhancements of Stryker vehicles for the U.S. Army.

Funded backlog at the end of fourth-quarter 2009 was $45.9 billion. In addition, the estimated potential contract value, representing management’s estimate of the value of unfunded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts and unexercised options, was $17.6 billion at year-end 2009. Total potential contract value, the sum of all backlog components, was $83.1 billion at the end of the year.

Net Earnings

General Dynamics’ net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $614 million, compared to fourth-quarter 2008 net earnings of $612 million. Net earnings for the full year were $2.39 billion in 2009, compared to $2.46 billion in 2008.

“General Dynamics performed well in 2009,” said Jay L. Johnson, president and chief executive officer. “The strength of our diverse portfolio was evident as continuing customer demand for our defense-related products balanced the impact of the global economic challenges on business aviation. By marrying that strength with our commitment to financial performance and effective execution, the business generated strong margins and excellent cash flow in the fourth quarter and for the full year.

“Based on the company’s performance in 2009 and our current understanding of the year ahead, we expect 2010 earnings to be in the range of $6.40 to $6.50 per share, fully diluted,” Johnson said.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 91,700 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 the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

Certain statements made in this press release, including any statements as to future results of operations and financial projections, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations, estimates, understandings, projections and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. Additional information regarding these factors is contained in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made.  The company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this press release.

WEBCAST INFORMATION: General Dynamics will webcast its fourth-quarter 2009 securities analyst conference call, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The webcast will be a listen-only audio event, available at www.generaldynamics.com. An on-demand replay of the webcast will be available by 2:30 p.m. January 27 and will continue for 12 months.

To hear a recording of the conference call by telephone, please call 888-286-8010 (international: 617-801-6888); passcode 28124007. The phone replay will be available from 2:30 p.m. January 27 until midnight February 3, 2010.