SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., 8 Dec. 2005. General Dynamics C4 Systems has received a $72.5 million contract from the U.S. Marine Corps System Command for 50 more Unit Operations Centers (UOC), the Marine Corps' mobile command and control system.

The UOCs will fulfill an urgent operational need for the Marine Corps in Iraq. Work will be performed in Scottsdale, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by June 2007.

A UOC is an integrated, mobile, command and control center consisting of shelter, power, cabling, processing systems, and trailers. A UOC can be set up in less than 40 minutes and includes a network of workstations that support standard Tactical Data Systems and other mission-critical command and control systems. This order includes new engineering and system upgrades.

The cumulative value of the UOC program, originally awarded in April 2002, is more than $187 million. A total of 102 UOCs have been ordered.

"UOCs play a pivotal role in ensuring Marines have accurate information and the tools needed to execute operational tactics quickly," said Manny Mora, vice president of Battle Management for General Dynamics C4 Systems.

In October, the Marine Corps completed its Operational Testing and Evaluation of UOCs, the last milestone required for full-rate production. The Marine Corps' Operational Testing and Evaluation Activity coordinated the OTE process with assistance from the 1st Marine Regiment; 1st Battalion, 1st Marines; and 1st Battalion, 11th Marines who operated UOCs in Iraq and recently returned from duty there.

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, space systems, computing and information assurance for defense, government and select commercial customers in the United States and abroad. For more information, see www.gdc4s.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, 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. For more information, see www.generaldynamics.com.