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General Dynamics Demonstrates Ground-Based Aircraft-Protection Technology

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

July 8, 2008

thomas

CMAPS Successfully Detected, Tracked and Targeted UAVs in Recent Test

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 8 /PRNewswire/ — General Dynamics Armament and
Technical Products recently conducted a system demonstration of its
ground-based, Counter Man-Portable Airspace Protection System (CMAPS)
against multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at the Naval Air Systems
Command test facility in China Lake, Calif. CMAPS successfully detected,
tracked and destroyed various UAVs by targeting critical aircraft
components during the test. General Dynamics Armament and Technical
Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The recent counter-UAV demonstration at China Lake follows a series of
successful CMAPS technology demonstrations since March 2006 in which CMAPS
demonstrated capability in defeating Man-Portable Air Defense Systems
(MANPADS). To date the system has detected, tracked and defeated MANPADS;
and now has proven its success in defeating small UAVs as well.

“As we just demonstrated, CMAPS defeated a variety of UAVs, proving
that the system has multi-mission capabilities,” said Phil Hynes, vice
president of strategic planning for General Dynamics Armament and Technical
Products. “Tests have shown that General Dynamics’ ground-based
countermeasure system can successfully protect airspace and other assets,
including infrastructure and ships, against a broad spectrum of threats.”

CMAPS is a ground-based system that uses a network of sensors to detect
and track a threat, whether it is a missile or UAV. Once identified,
high-power, infrared countermeasures are directed to the target to defeat
the threat.

One of CMAPS’ key strengths is its mobility. It is portable and can be
rapidly deployed to any airfield, and the system can operate safely in both
remote and densely populated areas.

In 2006, Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security to
explore new missile-countermeasure technologies that do not rely solely on
infrared technology onboard aircraft. The General Dynamics ground-based
CMAPS continues to prove to be a viable alternative to current
aircraft-based countermeasure technologies. Developed primarily to protect
military aircraft, the system also could be deployed at civilian airports
to protect aircraft at any locale. It eliminates the need for a jet to have
its own aircraft-based system.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte,
N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military and
commercial applications. The company designs, develops and produces
high-performance armament systems; defensive armor solutions; aerospace
components; mobile shelter systems; and is the leading U.S. producer of
biological and chemical detection systems. More information about General
Dynamics Armament and Technical Products can be found on the Internet at
http://www.gdatp.com .

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs
approximately 84,000 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2
billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and
expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and
marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information
about the company is available on the Internet at
http://www.generaldynamics.com .

SOURCE General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products

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