General Dynamics

What General Dynamics does

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD) is a Reston, Virginia-headquartered, Delaware-incorporated aerospace and defense prime contractor organized into four business segments: Aerospace (Gulfstream business jets including the G700 and G800), Marine Systems (Virginia-class and Columbia-class nuclear submarines at Electric Boat, DDG 51 destroyers at Bath Iron Works), Combat Systems (M1A2 and M1E3 Abrams tanks, EAGLE tactical vehicles, Vulcano-based guided 155mm artillery via GD-OTS), and Technologies (GDIT, providing C5ISR, cybersecurity, cloud, AI, and mission IT). The company employs more than 10,000 people with operations in over 70 countries and generated approximately $52.6 billion in FY2025 revenue, with Q1 2026 revenue of $13.48 billion up 10.3% year-over-year.

The economic engine is a mix of long-duration sole-source and competitive defense procurement, exporting munitions and platforms to allied nations such as Germany, and a smaller commercial aerospace channel through Gulfstream. Over 90% of revenue is tied to U.S. government contracts, primarily the Department of Defense (Navy, Army, Air Force), with supplementary federal civilian work including a $285 million Commonwealth of Virginia cybersecurity award and an $1.25 billion Army EMITS 2 task order for Europe and Africa. Backlog stood at $130.8 billion at the end of Q1 2026 with a consolidated book-to-bill of 2.0x and an estimated total contract value of $188.4 billion, providing multi-year revenue visibility. Quarterly dividends have been paid for 48 consecutive years with 12 consecutive annual increases, including a $1.59 per share dividend declared in June 2026; Q1 2026 free cash flow reached $1.95 billion.

The technology portfolio spans nuclear-submarine construction (sole-source on the U.S. strategic deterrent), tracked combat vehicles with sensor-fusion architectures, guided extended-range artillery featuring GPS/INS guidance with semi-active laser or infrared terminal homing, survival radios (HOOK2, HOOK3, NGSR) certified by the U.S. Department of War, and a growing layer of AI-native mission software including the Defense Operations Grid Mesh Accelerator (DOGMA) developed with AWS, AI-enabled surveillance towers, and quantum-computing exploration via IonQ. General Dynamics Land Systems' M1E3 program with the U.S. Army marks a transition from incremental upgrades to a new design baseline, while GDIT's partnerships with AWS (Premier Tier), Google Public Sector, CLEAR, Everfox, and PureTech Systems indicate deliberate mission-technology ecosystem buildout.

Name

General Dynamics

Legal name

General Dynamics Corporation

Website

https://generaldynamics.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

General Dynamics is a publicly traded U.S. aerospace and defense prime contractor operating four segments — Aerospace (Gulfstream jets), Marine Systems (nuclear submarines), Combat Systems (Abrams tanks, artillery), and Technologies (GDIT) — serving primarily the U.S. Department of Defense and federal civilian agencies with approximately $52.6 billion in FY2025 revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace and Defense

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Software Publishers (51321)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF), Propulsion MRO, Spares & Field Service (Overhauls, retrofits, upgrades) (IMAJAHAN)

Keywords

• Defense aerospace systems
• Military combat vehicles
• Marine submarines manufacturing
• Business jet aviation
• Government IT services

Headquarters

HQ city

Reston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Contracts: Long-term government defense contracts for submarines, combat vehicles, missiles, and IT systems. Over 90% of total revenues come from U.S. government contracts. Revenue streams include submarine programs (Columbia-class, Virginia-class), combat vehicle production (M1E3 Abrams), and defense IT services through GDIT.
2. Commercial Aerospace: Gulfstream business jet sales including G700 and G800 models. The Aerospace segment expanded 8.4% and has recovered post-pandemic with deliveries of 158 aircraft in Q4 2025 (up from 136 the prior year). Operating margins have expanded to 15.5% following successful new model rollouts.
3. IT Services: GDIT provides IT, communications, cybersecurity, and mission command support services to U.S. government agencies including the Navy, Army, and various federal civilian agencies. Services include network modernization, cloud computing, AI, and data analytics.
4. International Sales: Export of defense systems to allied nations including Germany's EAGLE tactical vehicles and international customers for submarine programs. Operations span more than 70 countries with over 70% of revenues from arms sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that designs, manufactures, and supports a broad portfolio of products and services across four business areas: Aerospace (Gulfstream business jets), Marine Systems (submarines and naval ships), Combat Systems (military vehicles and weapons systems), and Technologies (IT and mission systems for government and commercial customers). The company delivers defense electronics, mission-critical IT solutions, shipbuilding, combat vehicles, and business aviation to military, government, and commercial customers worldwide.

Product overview

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company organized into four core business groups: Aerospace (Gulfstream business jets including G700 and G800 models), Marine Systems (Virginia-class and Columbia-class nuclear submarines, DDG 51 destroyers), Combat Systems (M1A2 and M1E3 Abrams tanks, EAGLE tactical vehicles, artillery munitions including Vulcano-based 155mm rounds, air-defense armored vehicles), and Technologies (GDIT providing IT services, C5ISR command and control systems, AI solutions including DOGMA, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and AI surveillance towers). The portfolio spans the world's most technologically advanced business jets, wheeled and tracked combat vehicles, submarine construction, artillery systems, and digital/mission technology solutions for defense and government customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gulfstream business jets Designs, manufactures, and supports the Gulfstream family of large-cabin, long-range business jets for corporate, fractional, and government/VIP customers worldwide.
• Submarines and naval vessels Designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines, surface combatants, and auxiliary ships for the U.S. Navy and allied naval customers.
• Combat vehicles and weapons systems Produces main battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, munitions, and related weapons systems for U.S. and allied militaries.
• GDIT mission and IT services Provides IT modernization, cloud, cyber, and mission systems support to U.S. Department of Defense, federal civilian, and intelligence community customers under the General Dynamics Information Technology brand.
• Aircraft and component repair, overhaul, and technical services Delivers maintenance, repair, overhaul, and technical support services for commercial and military aircraft components and systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue of $13.5 billion in Q1 2026, up 10.3% year over year
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Leonardo and DiehlcoreTechnology or Integration · 14 June 2026General Dynamics is transitioning Vulcano munition manufacturing to the U.S. in partnership with Leonardo and Diehl, which co-developed the proven Vulcano family already fielded by Italy and Germany. The Vulcano-derived shell features GPS/INS guidance with semi-active laser or infrared terminal homing capability.
• CLEARcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026CLEAR and GDIT announced a strategic collaboration to deliver secure digital identity management solutions for federal health and civilian agencies. The collaboration integrates CLEAR's identity platform with GDIT's mission and technology expertise, supporting agencies in secure access and fraud reduction.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreTechnology or Integration · 2 January 2026GDIT was named the 2025 AWS Global Defense Consulting Partner of the Year, recognizing collaboration on tactical edge AI solutions. GDIT operates as an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner with hundreds of active cloud programs across government agencies. The partnership developed the Defense Operations Grid Mesh Accelerator (DOGMA) solution.
• Google Public SectorcoreTechnology or Integration · 13 November 2025GDIT expanded its collaboration with Google Public Sector to deliver AI, cloud, and cyber solutions to US government agencies. GDIT uses Google Distributed Cloud's secure, offline-capable infrastructure to support remote environments and demonstrates solutions in military exercises, focusing on mission edge AI and citizen engagement modernization.
• Beta TechnologiesstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2025General Dynamics enlisted Beta Technologies to develop propulsion for undersea vehicles, advancing the company's capabilities in autonomous underwater systems.
• IonQstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2025IonQ and GDIT partnered to develop quantum solutions for customers in the U.S., combining IonQ's quantum computing capabilities with GDIT's government IT expertise for national security applications.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• RTX (Raytheon Technologies): Major defense and aerospace prime (Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Missiles & Defense). Overlaps with GD in missile systems, propulsion, and aerospace, with similar scale and U.S. government revenue mix (RTX).
• Lockheed Martin: Largest US defense prime with overlapping platforms (F-35, missiles, naval systems, IT services). Most directly comparable peer to GD across Aerospace, Combat, Marine, and Technologies segments, competing for the same DoD budget dollars (LMT).
• CACI International: US federal IT and national security services contractor (former Lockheed IS&GS heritage) overlapping with GDIT on signals intelligence, cyber, and enterprise IT programs. Comparable scale and customer base in federal civilian and DoD (CACI).
• Leidos: Pure-play federal IT and engineering services contractor (post-Lockheed Martin IS&GS divestiture). Direct peer to GDIT in defense IT, C5ISR, and federal civilian agency modernization contracts (LDOS).
• Textron: Competes directly with GD Land Systems in armored/tactical vehicles (Stryker, Bradley) and with Gulfstream in business aviation (Cessna Citation). Comparable mid-cap US defense peer with similar Combat Systems exposure (TXT).
• Northrop Grumman: US defense prime competing across aerospace (B-21, autonomous systems), missiles, and C5ISR. Closely comparable to GD's diversified portfolio with similar DoD prime contractor economics and high U.S. government revenue concentration (NOC).
• Huntington Ingalls Industries: Pure-play US naval shipbuilder (Virginia-class submarines via Newport News, Ford-class carriers, surface combatants). Direct competitor to GD Electric Boat and Bath Iron Works on the Navy's most important shipbuilding programs (HII).
• L3Harris Technologies: Mid-sized US defense prime focused on C5ISR, electronic warfare, and communications — overlapping most directly with GD Mission Systems and GDIT segments. Highly comparable in defense electronics and federal IT services (LHX).
• BAE Systems: Largest European-headquartered defense prime competing with GD in combat vehicles, naval ships, and electronics. Comparable scale, business mix, and international defense exposure as a NATO-aligned peer (BA.L).

Broad incumbents

• Boeing Defense, Space & Security: Diversified aerospace and defense giant competing with GD in fixed-wing aircraft (vs Gulfstream), rotorcraft, and space, but anchored by a large commercial aviation business making it a broader portfolio peer (BA).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/generaldynamics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about General Dynamics