SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. 17 Dec. 2007. General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz., will build 12 common modules and 24 capability set III Combat Operations Centers for the U.S. Marine Corps under terms of a $38 million contract modification announced today.

The modules and capability sets will be combined to become six operations centers used by higher-level Marine Corps commanders. Deliveries are expected to be complete by July 2009.

The Marine Corps awarded the first contract for Combat Operations Centers to General Dynamics in 2002. Since then, more than 220 Combat Operations Centers have been ordered for Marine Corps command and control operations at the battalion and regimental levels. This new order will equip the next-higher level of Marine Corps decision-making, the major subordinate commands, with the same command and control capabilities.

"The new Combat Operations Centers forge the next link in networking the command, control and decision-making among Marine Corps echelons," states Manny Mora, vice president of battle management systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems. "As a command and control system-of-systems, Combat Operations Centers enable Marines to stay connected and quickly move from place to place with standardized equipment and operating systems."

Each operations center comprises a network of workstations and servers supporting standard Tactical Data Systems and other mission-critical software, voice, data and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications. Tents, trailers, radios, power generation and other tactical hardware are integrated for a single-system command and control capability wherever Marines fight.

For more information contact General Dynamics online at www.generaldynamics.com.