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General Dynamics Joint Biological Point Detection System Receives
Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov 17, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- General
Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General
Dynamics (GD), today announced that its Joint Biological Point Detection
System has earned designation and certification as a "qualified
anti-terrorism technology" under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering
Effective Technologies Act (SAFETY Act).
Signed into law as a provision of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the
SAFETY Act promotes the development of effective anti-terrorism products,
services and technologies by protecting certified companies and their
customers from liability should a terrorist act occur. Additionally, as
businesses apply for SAFETY Act designation, the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security is provided early notice of valuable technologies that may warrant
further attention.
"SAFETY Act certification and designation demonstrates the Department of
Homeland Security's commitment to the Joint Biological Point Detection
System as an effective tool in the war on terror for both military and
civilian agencies," said General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products
Senior Director of Communications John Suttle. "Liability protection under
the SAFETY Act will enable General Dynamics to pursue opportunities for
JBPDS in the Homeland Security market that otherwise would not be possible."
The Joint Biological Point Detection System (JBPDS) is a self-powered
Biological Warfare Agent detection and identification instrument suite that
rapidly detects and identifies biological warfare agents such as airborne
viruses, bacteria and toxins. Its "biosuite" automatically collects and
analyzes environmental samples and reports identifying information about
agents detected, via standard communications systems, to contacts at both
local and remote locations. The JBPDS is available in man-portable, shelter-
based, ship-based and trailer-mounted variants, and meets all the
environmental, vibration and shock requirements of its intended platforms.
JBPDS can operate either as a stand-alone unit or it can be networked with
other JBPDS units to provide broad area coverage and pinpoint BWA threats.
The JBPDS is a Joint Services program and is configured to meet the
operational requirements of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.
In August 2004, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products was awarded
a contract by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command,
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., for the production of JBPDS. The contract has
a potential value of up to $750 million for up to 1,089 systems through 2009
if all options are exercised. All work is performed at General Dynamics
Armament and Technical Products' Charlotte, N.C., detection and protection
production facility.
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a world leader in the
field of chemical and biological agent detection. The JBPDS is a core
component of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products' detection and
protection business, with sales for development, testing, production,
refurbishment and spares totaling more than $272 million since initial
production of the unit in 2001.
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte,
N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military applications.
The company designs, develops and produces high-performance armament
systems; a full range of advanced composite-based products; biological and
chemical detection systems; and mobile shelter systems. More information
about General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products can be found on the
World Wide Web at http://www.gdatp.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately
71,900 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $19.2 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 can be found at
http://www.generaldynamics.com.
SOURCE General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products
John Suttle of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products,
+1-704-714-8014, or
Fax, +1-704-714-8055, or
JSuttle@gdatp.com
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