General Dynamics Awarded $10 Million Air Force Gateways Installation Contract

FAIRFAX, Va. , June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a $10 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Command to install Air Force Gateways at 13 locations worldwide to enhance security, administration and performance at the Air Force Intranet perimeter. The total potential value of the contract is $10 million if all options are exercised during a 20-month period.

The contract is integral to the Air Force's strategy to streamline information technology (IT) administration while enhancing network defense and performance. General Dynamics received the Air Force Gateways installation task order under the Network-Centric Solutions (NETCENTS) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract.

"The Gateways suites will enable the Air Force to control, maintain and manage its networks in fewer facilities and significantly reduce costs," said Charlie Plummer , vice president and general manager of Air Force IT Solutions Sector for General Dynamics Information Technology. "By consolidating the network, Air Force IT staff will experience greater security and ease of integration into critical warfighter systems.

Importantly, reduced network administration frees IT personnel to focus on strategic, mission-critical operations."

General Dynamics previously developed the Air Force Gateways architecture. The Air Force Gateways integrates best-of-breed network management/network defense (NM/ND) products to provide the flexibility and scalability to support evolving Air Force cyberspace requirements. The Block 30 Spiral 1 Gateways effort is one of many complex initiatives in the Combat Information Systems Transport (CITS); a multi-year, Air Force-wide program strategically modernizing and evolving the Air Force's critical network assets.

As a trusted systems integrator for more than 50 years, General Dynamics Information Technology provides information technology (IT), systems engineering and professional services to customers in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, federal civilian government and commercial sectors. With 15,000 professionals worldwide, the company manages large-scale, mission-critical IT programs delivering IT services and enterprise solutions. More information about General Dynamics Information Technology is available at http://www.gdit.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va. , employs approximately 84,000 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 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 is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Information Technology