General Dynamics

General Dynamics is the sixth largest defence manufacturer in the world. Established in 1952, it includes Electric Boat, which built the first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus. In 1982, it added its first Combat Systems unit, Land Systems, which makes armoured vehicles and in 2003, it increased this area of work with the acquisition of the Canadian GM Defense. In 2002, General Dynamics registered a 25% growth in military business. Primary categories of military hardware produced by the company include nuclear submarines, warships, armoured vehicles, and ammunition. General Dynamics is headquartered in Virginia, US, and employs people in the US, Canada, Mexico and the UK.

Description
It has four major business segments
 * Aerospace
 * Combat Systems
 * Information Systems and Technology
 * Marine Systems

Combat Systems includes "Ordnance and Tactical Systems" (formerly Primex Technologies) which includes ammunitions, including those which might utilize depleted uranium penetrators.

General Dynamics Ordnance Systems has been the prime contractor for the Hydra-70 rocket system since 1995 and is teamed with PRIMEX of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Alliant Techsystems of Hopkins, Minnesota. 

General Dynamics acquired Primex Technologies in 2001. See the Press Release. GD also acquired in that year Spain's leading defense manufacturer, Santa Barbara Sistemas. 

General Dynamics acquired Anteon International Corp. in 2006. See the Press Release.

Political contributions
General Dynamics gave $1,039,200 to federal candidates in the 2006 election through its political action committee - 35% to Democrats, 64% to Republicans, and 1% ($10,000) to independent Joseph Lieberman (I-CT).

Lobbying
The company spent $9,364,234 for lobbying in 2006. In-house lobbyists and over 20 lobbying firms were used, including PMA Group, Clark & Weinstock, and Potomac Advocates.

Personnel
Accessed May 2010:


 * Jay L. Johnson - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 * Nicholas D. Chabraja - Director
 * James S. Crown - Director, Lead Director and Chairman, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
 * William P. Fricks - Director and Chairman, Audit Committee
 * George A. Joulwan - Director and Chairman, Compensation Committee
 * Paul G. Kaminski - Director and Chairman, Finance and Benefit Plans Committee
 * John M. Keane - Director
 * Lester L. Lyles - Director
 * William A. Osborn - Director
 * Robert Walmsley - Director

From 2006
Selected members of the Board of Directors:
 * James S. Crown, Also Director of JPMorgan Chase and Sara Lee Corporation
 * William P. Fricks, Former Chairman and CEO of Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. (under Northrop Grumman)
 * Jay L. Johnson, Retired Admiral, U.S. Navy
 * George A. Joulwan, Retired General, U.S. Army
 * John M. Keane, Retired General, U.S. Army
 * Lester L. Lyles, Retired General, United States Air Force
 * Carl E. Mundy, Jr., Retired General, U.S. Marine Corps

Contact
2941 Fairview Park Drive Suite 100 Falls Church, VA 22042 Phone: 703-876-3000 Fax: 703-876-3125 Web: http://www.gendyn.com

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Campaign Against the Arms Trade
 * defense contractors
 * federal contractors
 * military-industrial complex
 * Elbit Systems
 * Robert F. Ellsworth

External resources

 * General Dynamics company profile, Campaign Against Arms Trade, accessed September 2007.
 * General Dynamics Profile, CorpWatch, accessed September 2007.