General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defense contractor that designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of products and services for government and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in the United States (Reston, Virginia), the company supplies platforms and systems used by armed forces, civil authorities and private operators across multiple domains including air, land, sea and cyber.
Its principal activities span several operating businesses: a business aviation unit that develops and supports Gulfstream business jets; land systems that produce armored combat vehicles and related logistics and sustainment services; marine systems that design and construct submarines and surface ships for navies; and mission systems and information technology operations that provide command-and-control, communications, cybersecurity and systems-integration services. Together these activities cover development, production, maintenance and modernization of complex defense and aerospace systems.
General Dynamics traces its capabilities to long-standing businesses in shipbuilding, aircraft and land systems and has expanded over decades through internal development and strategic acquisitions to assemble its current portfolio. The company serves the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies as well as international allied militaries and commercial customers, delivering both production programs and long-term sustainment contracts.
Corporate leadership is focused on supporting large-scale defense modernization and technology programs; the company is led by Phebe Novakovic, who serves as chairman and chief executive officer. General Dynamics emphasizes engineering, program management and aftermarket support to maintain mission readiness for customers and to participate in advanced research and development across its core markets.