Businessweek

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company. The company offers a portfolio of products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; shipbuilding; and communications and information technology. Business Groups The company operates through four business groups, including Aerospace, Combat Systems, Marine Systems, and Information Systems and Technology. Aerospace The Aerospace group designs, manufactures and outfits a family of Gulfstream business-jet aircraft, provides aircraft services (including maintenance and repair work, fixed-based operations and aircraft management services) and performs aircraft completions for aircraft produced by other original equipment manufacturers. The Gulfstream product line includes aircraft across a spectrum of performance options in the large- and mid-cabin business-jet market. The large-cabin models are manufactured at Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, while the mid-cabin models are constructed by an international partner. All models are outfitted in the company’s U.S. facilities. The two newest aircraft to join the Gulfstream family, the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-high-speed G650 and the super-mid-size G280, each earned Federal Aviation Administration type certification and entered into service in 2012. Gulfstream provides aircraft for governments and militaries worldwide, with aircraft operated by approximately 40 nations. These government aircraft are used for head-of-state/executive transportation and various special-mission applications, including aerial reconnaissance, maritime surveillance and weather research. Innovations include a cabin management system designed for the G650, and available on various other Gulfstream aircraft. This system gives passengers control of the aircraft cabin systems through a handheld device synched to a particular seat on the aircraft. The company also offers the PlaneBook application, which provides pilots digital access to critical flight information and aircraft-specific documents. In 2012, the company added Gulfstream service centers in emerging markets, such as Brazil and China and expanded its facility in Luton, United Kingdom. Jet Aviation augments the company’s Aerospace portfolio by providing maintenance, repair, aircraft management and fixed-based operations services to a global customer base. The Aerospace group also performs aircraft completions for business jets and narrow- and wide-body commercial aircraft produced by other original equipment manufacturers at locations in Europe and the United States. Combat Systems The Combat Systems group engages in the design, development, production, support and enhancement of tracked and wheeled military vehicles, weapons systems and munitions for the United States and its allies. The company’s product lines include wheeled combat and tactical vehicles; main battle tanks and tracked combat vehicles; munitions and propellant; rockets and gun systems; axle and drivetrain components and aftermarket parts; and support and sustainment services. The company has a portfolio of franchise products that deliver core capabilities to domestic and international customers across the military vehicle, weapons systems and munitions markets. Its portfolio of vehicle platforms in its U.S. military vehicles business consists of wheeled combat vehicles and main battle tanks for the U.S. military, including the Stryker wheeled combat vehicle and the Abrams main battle tank. These vehicles are fundamental to the military’s warfighting capabilities and offer continuing opportunities for upgrades and modernization to meet evolving requirements. The company supports the Army’s evolving needs for main battle tanks with technology upgrades to the Abrams, such as the System Enhancement Package (SEP). The SEP-configured tank is a digital platform with an enhanced command-and-control system, second-generation thermal sights and improved armor. In 2012, the company received a multi-year contract from the Army to conduct development efforts for additional upgrade opportunities designed to increase the efficiency and ca