General Dynamics selected to develop Future Combat Systems autonomous navigation capability.

WESTMINSTER, Md., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/--General Dynamics Robotic Systems has been selected to enter into negotiations toward an estimated $145 million contract for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program to develop an autonomous navigation system (ANS) for unmanned and manned ground vehicles. The selection was announced by the Army FCS Lead System Integrator team of Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

FCS is a networked "system of systems," using advanced communications and technologies to link soldiers with manned and unmanned ground and air platforms and sensors, to significantly enhance the Army's effectiveness and maneuverability.

Under the FCS ANS program, General Dynamics Robotic Systems will be responsible for the design, development, integration, testing and manufacture of a system that is capable of autonomously controlling any of several vehicles designated by the Army, including the Multi-functional Utility Logistics Equipment (MULE) platform, the Armed Reconnaissance Vehicle, and the Manned Ground Vehicle.

The ANS program will provide navigational, perception, path-planning and vehicle-following algorithms and the requisite on-board sensor package for autonomous mobility. It is a major subsystem of the FCS program.

"General Dynamics Robotic Systems has been developing autonomous navigation systems for the last 10 years," said Mark Del Giorno, General Dynamics Robotic Systems vice president of engineering. "This FCS selection gives us the opportunity to serve the Army's transformation needs and advance the ground robotics field in support of our troops on the ground."

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 57,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2003 revenues of $15 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission-critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at www.generaldynamics.com.