SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has delivered pre-engineering development models and 2-Channel Manpack Technology Demonstrators of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld, Manpack and Small Form Fit (HMS) radio sets to the U.S. Government for evaluation.

In addition, the JTRS Board of Directors, chaired by Kenneth J. Krieg, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, witnessed a demonstration of four radios communicating voice, data and Video signals while simultaneously talking with a variety of legacy Military radios. The demonstration took place Nov. 17 at the Pentagon.

“The JTRS HMS deliveries have demonstrated to senior DoD leadership that JTRS programs can be successful when the Requirements and Acquisition communities work together to deliver transformational capability under an incremental approach,” said LTC Richard Housewright, program manager for JTRS HMS. “The compromises achieved allowed the JTRS HMS team to deliver the long sought after networking capability, the Holy Grail needed for achieving Joint Vision 2020, on schedule and at cost. This success bodes well for the Joint Staff, Services and Special Operations Command, all who were instrumental players in the JTRS HMS team's success.”

The radio sets delivered to the government and demonstrated at the Pentagon included Manpack Technology Demonstrator and Small Form Factor models all of which included an early version of the Soldier Radio Waveform, known as “SLICE 1.04p” which is the newest JTRS HMS networking waveform. The JTRS HMS radios will provide warfighters with unprecedented communications and interoperability in close combat.

“By combining innovative technologies and commercial off-the-shelf equipment, JTRS HMS radios are smaller, lighter and more power-efficient, while still meeting precise U.S. Government standards for networking, Security and survivability,” said Chris Brady, vice president of Assured Communication Systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “The on-schedule, on-budget delivery and demonstration validate the reality of a software-defined, networked JTRS radio and the strength of the HMS team.”

General Dynamics was selected as the prime contractor by the Army for the JTRS HMS (formerly Cluster 5) program in July 2004. The JTRS HMS team includes BAE SYSTEMS (Wayne, N.J.), Rockwell Collins (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Thales Communications (Clarksburg, Md.).

General Dynamics C4 Systems is a leading integrator of secure communication and information systems and technology. With more than 11,000 employees worldwide, the company specializes in command and control, communications networking, computing and information assurance for defense, government and select commercial customers in the United States and abroad.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 81,000 people worldwide and had 2006 revenues of $24.1 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.