General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Fields Expeditionary Fire Support...

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Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:32pm EDT

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Fields Expeditionary Fire
Support System

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics
Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD),
announced today that they have successfully fielded the Expeditionary Fire
Support System (EFSS) with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bravo
Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Artillery Regiment located at Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina.

As the third leg of the USMC's triad of land-based fire support for
expeditionary operations, EFSS is the primary close-in fire support system for
vertical assault maneuvers and is perfectly suited for missions requiring
tactical versatility, speed, mobility and close-in fire support. The system
can be emplaced, fired and displaced in under five minutes using a standard
five-man crew and is designed to be internally transportable in both the
Marine's tiltrotor MV-22B Osprey and the CH-53 helicopter.

Each battalion in the 10th Marine Regiment will have six EFSS systems
comprising of a pair of Prime Mover vehicles, a 120mm M327 mortar weapon,
ammunition family and trailer. At the center of EFSS is the 120mm M327 mortar
that combines the simplicity and firepower of a mortar with the precision and
range of a field artillery piece. The system can effectively fire both rifled
and smoothbore ammunition. At 1,798 lbs., the 120mm M327 is the Marines'
largest internally transportable indirect fire support system and provides the
maneuver commander with greater fire support capability against an array of
targets.

"The EFSS will give the Marines unmatched mortar performance in terms of
lethality, accuracy and mobility. Combined with the MV-22 Osprey capabilities,
it gives the Expeditionary Force a superior tactical advantage over their
adversaries", said Dr. Dean Bartles, vice president and general manager of
large-caliber ammunition for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is committed to producing
high-quality products and services through the use of Lean Six Sigma (LSS)
principles in support of continuous improvement throughout its business and
manufacturing processes. The company is a world leader in the manufacture of
large-, medium- and small-caliber direct and indirect-fire munitions, shaped
charge warheads and BALL POWDER(R) Propellant.  It also manufactures precision
metal components; and provides load, assemble and pack services for tactical
missile and rocket programs. More information on General Dynamics Ordnance and
Tactical is available online at www.gd-ots.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately
92,300 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 General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

SOURCE  General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems

Laurie VanBrocklin of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems,
+1-727-578-8187, Cell: +1-727-204-1355, lgvanbrocklin@gd-ots.com
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