General Dynamics Opens Innovation Center for Warfighter Systems

First Soldier-focused technology center speeds the delivery cycle of warfighter technology and capabilities

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Dec. 13, 2006 — General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), unveils an unprecedented collaboration initiative called the EDGE™ on Thursday, Dec. 14, beginning at 2 p.m. when the company opens its laboratory for developing and testing new and emerging technologies. Located at the General Dynamics facility at 8201 E. McDowell Road in Scottsdale, Ariz., the EDGE is the first facility of its kind that focuses solely on technology worn and carried by warfighters. Designed by General Dynamics, the EDGE has attracted interest from industry, government and academia including Arizona State University’s Flexible Display Center.

“The EDGE provides a synergy of ideas, capabilities and technology that will bring cutting-edge technology to the tactical edge of the battlespace faster,” said Richard Coupland, Warrior Systems business area manager for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “That’s because the EDGE cultivates a fundamental belief that industry, government and academia can do far more by collaborating on innovation projects than by working independently.”

Sean Martin, senior vice president of Business Development for Armor Holdings, Inc. said, “The EDGE helps identify gaps in the technology available to warfighters today and in the future so that we can focus our research and development efforts.”

EDGE member companies include Apogee Software, Inc. of Campbell, Calif., Arizona State University of Tempe, Ariz., including its Flexible Display Center; Charles River Analytics of Cambridge, Mass.; Computer Sciences Corporation of Falls Church, Va.; EFW Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas; Faunton/Quantmtech of Boise, Idaho; GECO, Inc. of Mesa, Ariz.; Land Warfare Acoustic Systems, Inc. of Newport, R.I.; PEMSTAR, Inc. of Rochester, Minn.; PolyPhaser Corp. of Minden, Nev.; Silverado Cable Company, Inc. of Mesa, Ariz.; and Telephonics Corporation of Farmingdale, N.Y. Companies that are candidates for membership include Armor Holdings, Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz.; DRS Laurel Technologies of Johnstown, Pa.; Honeywell International of Phoenix, Ariz.; L-3 Communications of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Rockwell Collins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Government program management participants include PEO Soldier at Ft. Belvoir, Va.; the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center at Natick, Mass.; and the Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) Capabilities Manager-Soldier at Fort Benning, Ga.