10-K 1 w94591e10vk.htm FORM 10-K e10vk
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(GENERAL DYNAMICS LOGO)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

     
x
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
 
OR
 
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    For the transition period from           to           

Commission file number 1-3671

 
General Dynamics Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   13-1673581

 
State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization
  I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
 
3190 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, Virginia

Address of principal executive offices
  22042-4523

Zip code

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(703) 876-3000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered


Common stock, par value $1.00 per share
  New York Stock Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange
Pacific Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

  None  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
     Yes þ          No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K.     Yes þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
     Yes þ          No o

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was $13,094,497,759 as of June 29, 2003 (based on the closing price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange).

198,200,263 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding at January 31, 2004.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Part III incorporates information from certain portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.




PART I
Item 1. Business
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Company’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6. Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit 10.5 Equity Compensation Plan
Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries
Exhibit 23 Consent of KPMG LLP
Exhibit 24 Power of Attorney
Exhibit 31.1 CEO Section 302 Certification
Exhibit 31.2 CFO Section 302 Certification
Exhibit 32.1 CEO Section 906 Certification
Exhibit 32.2 CFO Section 906 Certification


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “scheduled,” “estimates” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which include but are not limited to projections of revenues, earnings, segment performance, cash flows, contract awards, aircraft production, deliveries and backlog stability. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

  General U.S. and international political and economic conditions;
  Changing priorities in the U.S. government’s defense budget;
  Termination of government contracts due to unilateral government action;
  Differences in anticipated and actual program performance, including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price contracts within estimated costs, and performance issues with key suppliers and subcontractors;
  Changing customer demand or preferences for business aircraft, including the effects of economic conditions on the business–aircraft market;
  Reliance on a large fleet customer for a significant portion of the firm aircraft contracts backlog and the majority of the options backlog; and
  The status or outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings.

     All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or, in the case of any document incorporated by reference, the date of that document. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or any person acting on the company’s behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section. The company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this report.

     
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(Dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted)

PART I


ITEM 1. BUSINESS

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

General Dynamics is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. Incorporated in Delaware, the company employs approximately 67,600 people and has a presence worldwide.
     Formed in 1952 through the combination of Electric Boat Company, Consolidated Vultee and other entities, the company grew through internal development and acquisitions but was largely dismantled in the early 1990s through the sale of all of its divisions except Electric Boat and Land Systems. The company’s present composition is the result of a series of acquisitions begun in 1995. At that time, General Dynamics began an expansion of its two core defense businesses, broadening its product lines through the acquisition of other shipyards and combat vehicle-related entities. The company also added information technology products and services, particularly in the command-and-control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) area, and business-jet aircraft and aviation support services to its offerings. Since 1995, General Dynamics has acquired more than 30 businesses, including seven during 2003.
     General Dynamics’ management focus is creating shareholder value while providing the best products and services possible to its customers, both military and commercial. The company emphasizes excellence in program management through continuous operational improvements and ethical business practices. This culture is evident in how the company deals with shareholders, employees, customers, partners and communities.
     General Dynamics is organized into four primary business groups: Information Systems and Technology, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Aerospace. These groups design, develop, manufacture and support leading-edge technology, products and services for use across the spectrum of military operations. From nuclear submarines to Stryker armored infantry carriers, ammunition to targeting systems, tactical Personal Digital Assistants to combat search-and-rescue radios, General Dynamics supports the combat warrior on land, at sea, in the air and on the network. The company’s Gulfstream business-jet aircraft serve business travelers around the world, as well as government customers as special mission platforms for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and transport.
     In addition to the four principal business groups, a small Resources group provides construction aggregates and operates coal mines.
     Following is a description of the company’s products and services by business group, competition and other related information.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
The Information Systems and Technology group is a leading integrator of secure communications systems and networks; command, control and intelligence systems; special purpose computing; and surveillance and reconnaissance systems for the U.S. military, the U.S. intelligence community and allied nations. The group supplies products, infrastructure and integration services that are used to gather, process and disseminate information rapidly and accurately. The group provides a full spectrum of information and communications technologies, including:

  Ruggedized computing and communications systems to support battlefield command-and-control and information processing;
  Specialized radio technologies that enable communication among strategic, theater and tactical assets;
  A variety of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) products, systems and support services for defense and intelligence agencies;
  Networking capabilities;
  Processors, communications devices and ground support for space operations; and
  Highly skilled technical personnel who frequently are embedded in military and intelligence operations around the world to support sophisticated national security systems.

     The group is a key participant in transformational initiatives that use digital information technologies to provide defense assets with secure, on-demand access to mission-critical information, assisting warfighters to prevail on today’s battlefields as well as the battlefields of the future.
     The Information Systems and Technology group was created through acquisitions starting in 1997. It has grown to become the company’s largest segment, contributing 30 percent of the company’s revenues in 2003. This growth reflects the increasing importance of digital, network-centric C4ISR and information-sharing technologies in the defense and intelligence communities. As the armed services seek information superiority to improve the agility, responsiveness, lethality and survivability of their forces, there are significant opportunities for companies that can provide robust combat platforms integrated with mission-critical information systems.

     
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     In 2003, three acquisitions expanded the group’s market offerings in intelligence-related information processing, technical support to national security organizations and sensor fusion for naval warfare:

  In March, the company acquired Creative Technology Incorporated, whose employees support the intelligence community and the Department of Defense by delivering systems and network engineering, integration, software development, and operations and technical consulting.

  In August, the company acquired Veridian Corporation, a provider of network security and enterprise protection; ISR systems development and integration; decision support; information systems development and integration; chemical, biological and nuclear detection capabilities; network and enterprise management services; and large-scale systems engineering to the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the intelligence community.

  In September, the company acquired Digital System Resources, Inc., a provider of surveillance and combat systems for submarines and surface ships.

     The group also combined two existing business units into a single C4 Systems organization to achieve the critical mass necessary to fully meet the growing demand for secure, mobile military communications systems, networks and products. The company’s command-and-control systems assist its customers in assessing the battlefield, planning missions, deploying people and equipment and communicating.
     Information Systems and Technology’s contract portfolio includes over 2,000 contracts. While no one of these individually has a significant impact on the group’s overall performance, some of its notable programs and offerings include the continued development and deployment of the Rescue 21 search-and-rescue and command-and-control communications system for the U.S. Coast Guard; additional fielding of the BOWMAN tactical communications system to the United Kingdom’s defense forces; upgrades to the Trident ballistic-missile fire-control system for Ohio-class submarines; and deliveries of additional high-speed, high-level encryption products to defense and national security customers.
     The future battlefield requires speed, accuracy, reliability and security of information transmitted to the warfighter and decision makers. The company believes that the Information Systems and Technology group is well positioned, with both the U.S. and allied militaries, to continue to expand its product and service offerings and its customer base.
     Net sales for the Information Systems and Technology group were 30 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2003, 27 percent in 2002 and 22 percent in 2001. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:

                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Communications systems
  $ 1,556     $ 1,201     $ 687  
Command-and-control and intelligence systems
    1,360       939       705  
Special-purpose computing, surveillance and reconnaissance systems
    1,059       821       727  
Network infrastructure systems
    1,003       720       572  

 
  $ 4,978     $ 3,681     $ 2,691  

COMBAT SYSTEMS
As a leading provider of tracked and wheeled armored combat vehicles, armament systems and ammunition in North America, Europe and the South Pacific, and the only producer of America’s main battle tanks, the Combat Systems group delivers key products and technologies to U.S. and allied military forces.
     The group is one of the preferred suppliers of land and expeditionary combat system development, production and support around the world. Combat Systems conceives, engineers, manufactures and supports product lines that include a full spectrum of armored vehicles, trucks and light wheeled vehicles, bridges, suspensions, engines, transmissions, guns and ammunition handling systems, turret and turret-drive systems, reactive armor, chemical and biohazard detection products, ammunition and ordnance, and composite manufacturing.
     During 2003, the Combat Systems group enhanced its product offerings and engineering and production capabilities through three acquisitions, expanding the group’s customer base and its relationships with existing customers:

  In March, the company acquired General Motors Defense (GM Defense), a manufacturer of wheeled armored vehicles and turrets. Prior to the acquisition, General Dynamics and GM Defense were partners in a joint venture for the transformational Stryker family of wheeled combat vehicles for the U.S. Army. The unit also manufactures and supplies the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. Its MOWAG subsidiary produces the Piranha combat vehicle for a number of international customers.

     
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  In September, the company acquired substantially all of the assets of Intercontinental Manufacturing Company (IMCO), a division of Datron, Inc., and an industry leader in the development and manufacture of aircraft bomb bodies for the U.S. armed services, including almost all current series of 500-, 1,000- and 2,000-pound bombs used by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.

  In October, the company acquired Steyr Daimler Puch Spezialfahrzeug Aktiengesellschaft & Company KG (Steyr), the developer of the Pandur family of wheeled combat vehicles and the Ulan tracked infantry fighting vehicle. The company already owned 25 percent of the common shares of Steyr as a result of an investment made in 1999.

     Upon completion of the Steyr acquisition, the group streamlined the reporting relationships of its European land combat companies — Santa Bárbara Sistemas, Steyr and MOWAG — into a single European Land Combat Systems unit, with a central office in Vienna, Austria.
     Combat Systems’ key programs include the continued manufacturing of Stryker vehicles for the Army, as well as development of Mobile Gun System and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Reconnaissance variants for the Stryker family of vehicles. Importantly, the first Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team achieved full operational readiness in 2003 and successfully deployed for action in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The group also upgrades M1 Abrams tanks to incorporate the latest technologies, and manufactures Pizarro Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicles for the Spanish army.
     For the U.S. Marine Corps, Combat Systems is completing the development and testing of the new Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), formerly the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle. The EFV is designed to provide the Marines with an expeditionary vehicle that enables quick deployment from the sea to an inland objective with greater survivability and lethality. Initial production of over 1,000 vehicles is scheduled to begin in 2006 and continue to the end of the next decade.
     In addition, the Combat Systems group is a key participant in the development of manned ground vehicles and emerging robotic technologies for the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. In 2003, it successfully demonstrated the initial capability of a new guided rocket for tactical aircraft applications, and it leads the development program for technology that will make the future land soldier more lethal and survivable.
     Each of these programs represents an important role for the Combat Systems group in the future armed forces of the United States and its allies. In many cases, the company is on the leading edge of the technology, engineering, manufacturing or production capabilities that meet those customers’ requirements.
     Net sales for the Combat Systems group were 25 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2003, 21 percent in 2002 and 19 percent in 2001. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:

                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Medium armored vehicles and related products
  $ 1,227     $ 413     $ 236  
Main battle tanks and related products
    858       802       619  
Engineering and development
    646       655       445  
Munitions and propellant
    462       382       295  
Rockets and missile components
    278       264       280  
Armament systems
    145       116       84  
Aerospace components and other
    550       291       251  

 
  $ 4,166     $ 2,923     $ 2,210  

MARINE SYSTEMS
The Marine Systems group has three shipyards with a long, proud history of providing the Navy with ships and submarines used to project the United States’ presence around the globe. Electric Boat manufactured the Navy’s first submarine more than 100 years ago. The company’s two other shipyards have demonstrated decades of innovation in developing destroyers and auxiliary ships for the Navy. Today, the group is on the cutting edge of shipbuilding as it participates in the design, development, manufacture and integration of the complex platforms that are central to Seapower 21, the Navy’s transformation vision.
     With its experience and expertise in the development of surface, sub-surface and support platforms, Marine Systems is a key partner with the Navy. Marine Systems is leading the development of the new Virginia-class submarines, for which it received the largest submarine order in U.S. history. Construction work on the Virginia-class submarine is shared equally with the company’s teaming partner. The Virginia Class will provide the Navy a key platform with stealth, firepower and endurance, networked for communication with strategic and surface forces, in its pursuit of undersea superiority. Complementing this platform will be the Trident SSGN submarines, which the group is developing through the conversion of four Trident ballistic-missile submarines. The Trident SSGNs will be multi-mission submarines optimized for tactical strike and special operations support, key capabilities for future engagements around the world.
     The group is the lead designer and producer of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, one of the most advanced surface combatants in the world. It is also one of three competitors developing preliminary designs for the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The LCS platform is intended for defense against terrorist swarm boats, mines and submarine threats in coastal areas.

     
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     Marine Systems also supports the far-reaching deployments of the Navy with its auxiliary and support ships, facilitating the efficient delivery of crucial supplies to U.S. forces around the world. It is leading the innovation of at-sea replenishment with the T-AKE program. T-AKE is the first new Navy combat logistics ship design in almost 20 years, using integrated electric-drive propulsion to deliver high performance and lower cost. The group also provides commercial ships, designing and manufacturing two roll-on/roll-off trailerships for cargo shipping and four double-hull oil tankers.
     In addition, the group provides ship repair and other services to the Navy and commercial customers.
     The shipbuilding industry is central to the Navy’s Seapower 21 efforts to transform into a more lethal, flexible, network-centric sea force of the future. The company believes Marine Systems’ leadership in the design, engineering, development and construction of naval platforms positions it for continued partnership with the Navy for years to come.
     Net sales for the Marine Systems group were 26 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2003 and 2002, and 30 percent in 2001. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:
                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Nuclear submarines
  $ 2,256     $ 2,030     $ 1,852  
Surface combatants
    973       852       935  
Auxiliary and commercial ships
    421       325       394  
Repair and other services
    621       443       431  

 
  $ 4,271     $ 3,650     $ 3,612  

AEROSPACE
The Aerospace group designs, develops, manufactures, markets and supports a fleet of world-renowned business-jet aircraft, and provides aviation services for business-jet aircraft. The group was created in 1999 when the company acquired Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. In 2001, the group added mid-size aircraft to its product offerings with the acquisition of Galaxy Aerospace Company, and formed a separate aviation services unit. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,400 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958.
     In 2003, the group broadened its offering of business-jet aircraft by introducing a new aircraft and completing regulatory requirements for production of other airframes. In addition, the group expanded its aviation services operations to include the first Gulfstream-owned service center outside the United States through an acquisition at the London Luton Airport in the United Kingdom.
     The new large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450, introduced in 2003, is an entire aircraft upgrade of the best-selling business jet in its class — the Gulfstream GIV/GIV-SP/G400. The G450 incorporates the most advanced avionics, cockpit displays, aircraft systems, aerodynamic enhancements and flight safety features, and retains the aesthetic design and signature windows that set Gulfstream aircraft apart from competing models. The new G450, which is expected to receive certification later this year, was designed for safety, performance, reliability, and passenger comfort and productivity.
     The group received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type and production certification for the Gulfstream G550 model on August 14, 2003. The large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 can fly as high as 51,000 feet and can travel at speeds up to Mach .885 and distances up to 6,750 nautical miles — the longest range available in a business jet. In February 2004, the National Aeronautic Association awarded its Collier Trophy to the G550, naming it “the greatest achievement in aeronautics in the United States with respect to improving performance, efficiency or safety of air or space vehicles” in 2003.
     The Aerospace group also received type certification for its state-of-the-art PlaneView® cockpit, as well as the first production certification for the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS). The Gulfstream EVS significantly improves pilot situational awareness during conditions of reduced visibility, both in flight and on the ground.
     Additionally, in February 2004, the company further expanded its product line by introducing the Gulfstream G350 model. Very similar in design to the G450, the new aircraft delivers the same spacious cabin, advanced avionics and cockpit systems, exceptional performance and reliability, but with a slightly reduced range and a lower price.
     Looking beyond the commercial market, the group continued efforts to offer its aircraft as platforms for ISR and other special mission applications by U.S. and allied governments. It sold four G550 aircraft to the Israeli Ministry of Defense for use as Compact Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) platforms, which will take full advantage of the G550’s capabilities, endurance, reliability and low operating cost. Additionally, the G450 was designated the platform of choice by one of the two competitors in a pending U.S. military procurement for special mission ISR applications.
     The company formed General Dynamics Aviation Services in February 2001 to better meet the maintenance needs of a variety of the most popular business-jet aircraft available around the world. It serves a broad range of business-aircraft owners through maintenance centers in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Westfield, Massachusetts; West Palm Beach, Florida; Dallas, Texas; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
     With an expanded product line, the company believes the Aerospace group is well positioned to take advantage of an encouraging market.

     
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     Net sales for the Aerospace group were 18 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2003, 24 percent in 2002 and 27 percent in 2001. Net sales by major products and services were as follows:
                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

New aircraft
  $ 2,081     $ 2,470     $ 2,694  
Aircraft services
    408       384       394  
Pre-owned aircraft
    457       435       177  

 
  $ 2,946     $ 3,289     $ 3,265  

RESOURCES
The Resources group includes two businesses: a coal mining operation and an aggregates operation that mines sand, stone and gravel for use in highway and building construction. Net sales for these businesses represented approximately 1 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2003 and 2 percent in 2002 and 2001. Net sales were $256 in 2003, $286 in 2002 and $276 in 2001.

     For additional discussion of the company’s business groups, including significant program wins in 2003, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For information on the revenues, operating earnings and identifiable assets attributable to each of the company’s business groups, see Note R to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

COMPETITION

The company’s ability to compete successfully depends on the technical excellence and reliability of its products and services, its reputation for integrating complex systems, its leadership team’s successful management of the company’s businesses and customer relationships, and the cost competitiveness of its products and services. The company competes in two separate markets: defense and business-jet aircraft.

DEFENSE MARKET
The defense market is served by numerous domestic and foreign companies that offer a range of products and services and compete with the company for many of its contracts. On occasion, the company is involved in subcontracting relationships with some of these competitors. The key competitive factors in this market are technological innovation, low-cost production, performance and market knowledge.
     The Information Systems and Technology group competes with a broad range of entities, from large defense companies to smaller niche competitors with specialized technologies. The Combat Systems group competes in a market composed primarily of large domestic and foreign entities. The company partners with some of these entities from time to time, and currently is in a teaming arrangement with another U.S. defense contractor on the manned vehicle portion of the FCS program. The Marine Systems group operates in a market with only one other primary competitor, Northrop Grumman Corporation; the company is also teamed with that competitor on several programs, including the Virginia-class submarine construction contract. The Navy’s LCS program has increased competition to now include other large aerospace companies seeking opportunities as shipbuilding prime contractors.

BUSINESS-JET AIRCRAFT MARKET
Competition in the business-jet aircraft market generally is divided into segments based on the cabin size, range and price of the aircraft. Aerospace offers a total of nine products in the following market segments:

                     
Model   Market Segment   Range (a)        

G550
 
Large-cabin, Ultra-long-range
    6,750          
G500 (b)
 
Large-cabin, Ultra-long-range
    5,800          
G450 (c)
 
Large-cabin, Long-range
    4,350          
G400
 
Large-cabin, Long-range
    4,100          
G350 (c)
 
Large-cabin, Mid-range
    3,800          
G300
 
Large-cabin, Mid-range
    3,600          
G200
 
Large-cabin, Mid-range
    3,400          
G150 (d)
 
Wide-cabin, High-speed
    2,700          
G100
 
Mid-cabin, High-speed
    2,700          

(a) Nautical miles.
(b) Scheduled to enter service in 2004.
(c) Scheduled to enter service in 2005.
(d) Scheduled to enter service in 2006.

     The company has at least one competitor in each market segment in which it competes. The number of competitors increases in the segments that offer shorter ranges. The key competitive factors in the business-jet market are the performance characteristics of the aircraft, the quality and timeliness of the service provided, the advances in technology offered, and innovative marketing programs, including price. The company believes it competes favorably on these criteria.

CUSTOMERS

The company’s primary customer is the U.S. government, particularly the Department of Defense. In 2003, 66 percent of the company’s net sales were to the U.S. government; 18 percent were to U.S. commercial customers; 11 percent were directly to international defense customers; and the remaining 5 percent were to international commercial customers.

     
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U.S. GOVERNMENT
The company’s net sales to the U.S. government were as follows:

                           
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Direct
  $ 10,525     $ 8,385     $ 7,138  
Foreign Military Sales (a)
    502       421       181  

 
Total U.S. government
  $ 11,027     $ 8,806     $ 7,319  
Percent of total net sales
    66 %     64 %     61 %

(a)   In addition to its international sales, the company sells to foreign governments through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Under the FMS program, the company contracts with and is paid by the U.S. government, and the U.S. government assumes the risk of collection from the foreign government customer.

     The company’s U.S. government sales are funded by customer budgets, which operate on an October to September fiscal year. In February of each year, the president presents the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This budget proposes funding levels for every federal agency and is the result of months of policy and program reviews throughout the Executive Branch. From February through September of each year, the appropriations and authorization committees of Congress review the president’s budget proposals and establish the funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year in appropriations and authorization legislation. Once these levels are enacted into law, the Executive Office of the President administers the funds to the agencies.
     There are two primary risks associated with this process. First, the process may be delayed or disrupted as a result of congressional schedules, negotiations over funding levels among government programs or unforeseen world events, potentially interrupting the funding for a contract. Second, some contracts that span several years are funded annually, subjecting them to potential schedule and content changes year to year and increasing the challenges faced by program managers.
     The company’s U.S. government business is performed under both cost-reimbursement and fixed-price contracts. The company’s contracts for research, engineering, prototypes, repair and maintenance are often cost-reimbursement arrangements, under which the customer reimburses the company for allowable costs and pays a predetermined fee. The company’s production contracts are largely fixed-price, in which the company agrees to perform a specific scope of work for a fixed amount. In 2003, cost-reimbursement and fixed-price contracts accounted for approximately 47 percent and 53 percent, respectively, of the company’s government business.
     Cost-reimbursement and fixed-price contracts each present advantages and disadvantages for the company. Cost-reimbursement contracts generally involve lower risk for the company and sometimes involve fee schedules that award the company increased payments for satisfying certain performance criteria. However, not all of the company’s costs are recoverable under these types of contracts, and the government has the right to object to the company’s costs, which can increase the company’s risk. Fixed-price contracts generally offer greater profit potential if the company can complete the work for less than the contract amount. However, fixed-price contracts put the company at risk for absorbing any cost overruns.

U.S. COMMERCIAL
The company’s commercial sales were $3,009 in 2003, $3,235 in 2002 and $3,555 in 2001. These sales represented approximately 18 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2003, 23 percent in 2002 and 29 percent in 2001. The majority of these sales were for Gulfstream aircraft, primarily to Fortune 500® companies and large, privately held companies. The aircraft are operated by customers in a wide range of industries.

INTERNATIONAL
The company’s direct (non-Foreign Military Sales) sales to defense and commercial customers outside the United States were $2,581 in 2003, $1,788 in 2002 and $1,180 in 2001. These sales represented approximately 16 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2003, 13 percent in 2002 and 10 percent in 2001. International defense sales were primarily from the company’s subsidiaries located abroad; international commercial sales were primarily exports of business-jet aircraft.
     The company has operations in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Sales from these international operations were $2,175 in 2003, $970 in 2002 and $421 in 2001. The long-lived assets of operations located outside the United States were 16 percent of the company’s total as of December 31, 2003, 6 percent as of December 31, 2002, and 5 percent as of December 31, 2001.
     For information regarding sales by geographic region, see Note R to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SUPPLIERS

In some cases, the company is dependent upon suppliers and subcontractors for raw materials and components used in the production of its products. In some instances, the company relies on only one or two

     
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sources of supply. A disruption in deliveries from its suppliers, therefore, could have an adverse effect on the company’s ability to meet its commitments to customers. However, the company has not experienced, and does not foresee, any difficulty in obtaining the materials, components or supplies necessary for its business operations.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The company conducts independent research and development (R&D) activities. The company also conducts R&D activities under U.S. government contracts to develop products for large systems-development and technology programs.
     The majority of company-sponsored R&D expenditures in each of the past three years was in the company’s defense business. The company recovers a significant portion of these expenditures through overhead charges pursuant to U.S. government contracts. The R&D activities of the Aerospace group consist primarily of internally funded product enhancement and development programs for Gulfstream aircraft.
     Research and development expenditures were as follows:

                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Company-sponsored
  $ 282     $ 253     $ 203  
Customer-sponsored
    229       134       83  

 
  $ 511     $ 387     $ 286  

BACKLOG

The company’s total backlog represents the estimated remaining sales value of work to be performed under firm contracts and includes funded and unfunded portions. For further discussion of backlog, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
     Summary backlog information for each business group follows:

                                                         
                                                    2003 Total
                                                    Backlog Not
                                                    Expected to be
                                                    Completed
December 31   2003   2002   in 2004

    Funded   Unfunded   Total   Funded   Unfunded   Total        

Information Systems and Technology
  $ 6,164     $ 1,529     $ 7,693     $ 5,105     $ 202     $ 5,307     $ 2,832  
Combat Systems
    6,029       2,447       8,476       4,233       733       4,966       4,900  
Marine Systems
    8,775       9,388       18,163       7,262       4,351       11,613       14,452  
Aerospace
    4,127       2,397       6,524       4,498       2,283       6,781       4,486  
Resources
    163       57       220       240       64       304       95  

 
  $ 25,258     $ 15,818     $ 41,076     $ 21,338     $ 7,633     $ 28,971     $ 26,765  

DEFENSE BUSINESS
For defense programs, the funded backlog represents those items that have been authorized and appropriated by Congress and funded by the customer. The unfunded backlog represents orders for which funding has not been appropriated. To the extent the backlog has not been funded, there is no assurance that funding will be forthcoming; however, management believes it is highly likely.

AEROSPACE
The Aerospace funded backlog represents orders for which the company has definitive purchase contracts and deposits from a customer. The unfunded Aerospace backlog consists of options to purchase new aircraft and agreements to provide future aircraft maintenance and support services.

REGULATORY MATTERS

U.S. GOVERNMENT DEFENSE CONTRACTS
Generally, U.S. government contracts are subject to several procurement laws and regulations. In particular, contracts are governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which lays out uniform policies and procedures for the acquisition of goods and services by the U.S. government, and agency-specific acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. For example, the Department of Defense implements the FAR through the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR). The FAR regulates all phases of the acquisition of products and services, including:

  Acquisition planning;
  Competition requirements;
  Contractor qualifications;
  Protection of source selection and vendor information; and
  Acquisition procedures.

     The FAR also addresses guidelines and regulations for managing a contract after award, including conditions under which contracts may be

     
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terminated, in whole or in part, at the government’s convenience or for default. If a contract is terminated for convenience of the government, a contractor is entitled to receive payments for its allowable costs and, in general, the proportionate share of fees or earnings for the work done. If a contract is terminated for default, the government generally pays for only the work it has accepted. These regulations also subject the company to financial audits and other reviews by the government of its costs, performance, accounting and general business practices relating to its contracts, which may result in adjustment of the company’s contract-related costs and fees.
     In addition, failure by the company to comply with procurement laws or regulations can result in civil, criminal or administrative proceedings involving fines, penalties, suspension of payments or suspension or disbarment from government contracting or subcontracting for a period of time.

INTERNATIONAL
The company’s international sales are subject to U.S. and foreign government regulations and procurement policies and practices, including regulations relating to import-export control, investments, exchange controls and repatriation of earnings. International sales are also subject to varying currency, political and economic risks.

BUSINESS-JET AIRCRAFT
The Aerospace group is subject to FAA regulation in the United States and other similar aviation regulatory authorities throughout the world. For an aircraft to be manufactured and sold, the model must have received a type certificate from the appropriate aviation authority, and each individual aircraft must have received a certificate of airworthiness. Aviation authorities have the power to require changes to aircraft if deemed necessary for safety purposes. Maintenance facilities are also required to be licensed by aviation authorities.

ENVIRONMENTAL
The company’s operations are subject to and affected by a variety of federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations relating to the discharge, treatment, storage, disposal, investigation and remediation of certain materials, substances and wastes. The company continually assesses its compliance status and management of environmental matters and believes that its operations are in substantial compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
     Operating and maintenance costs associated with environmental compliance and management of contaminated sites are a normal, recurring part of the company’s operations. These costs are not significant relative to total operating costs or cash flows, and often are allowable costs under the company’s contracts with the U.S. government. These costs have not been material in the past. Based on information currently available to the company and current U.S. government policies relating to allowable costs, the company does not expect continued compliance to have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
     A Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) has joint and several liability under existing U.S. environmental laws. Where the company has been designated a PRP by the Environmental Protection Agency or a state environmental agency, it is potentially liable to the government or third parties for the full cost of remediating contamination at the company’s facilities or former facilities or at third-party sites. In the unlikely event that the company is required to fully fund the remediation of a site, the statutory framework would allow the company to pursue rights to contribution from other PRPs. For additional information relating to the impact of environmental controls, see Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The company is a leader in the development of innovative products, manufacturing technologies and systems-integration practices. In addition to owning a large portfolio of proprietary intellectual property, the company licenses certain intellectual property rights of third parties, including the U.S. government. Additionally, the U.S. government licenses many of the company’s patents, pursuant to which the government may use or authorize others to use the inventions covered by the patents. Although these intellectual property rights are important to the operation of the company’s business, no existing patent, license or other intellectual property right is of such importance that its loss or termination would, in the opinion of management, have a material impact on the company’s business.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and makes available several types of reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These reports include an annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Free copies of these reports are made available as soon as practicable on the company’s website (http://www.generaldynamics.com) or by calling investor relations at (703) 876-3000.
     These reports may also be obtained at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

     
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The company believes its main facilities are adequate for its present needs and, as supplemented by planned improvements and construction, expects them to remain adequate for the foreseeable future. A summary of floor space (square feet in millions) at the main facilities of the Information Systems and Technology, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Aerospace business groups as of December 31, 2003, follows (a):

                                   
      Company-           Government-    
      owned   Leased   owned    
      Facilities   Facilities   Facilities   Total

Information Systems and Technology:
                               
 
Scottsdale, AZ (Office/Lab/Factory/Warehouse)
    1.5                   1.5  
 
Pittsfield, MA (Lab)
                0.9       0.9  
 
Bloomington, MN (Office)
          0.5             0.5  
 
Needham, MA (Office/Lab)
    0.5                   0.5  
 
Northern VA (Office/Lab)
          0.5             0.5  
 
Taunton, MA (Office/Factory)
    0.1       0.4             0.5  
 
Ann Arbor, MI (Office)
          0.4             0.4  
 
Buffalo, NY (Office)
          0.4             0.4  
 
Mountain View, CA (Office/Factory)
    0.2       0.1             0.3  
 
Ontario, Canada (Office/Plant)
    0.2       0.1             0.3  
 
Alberta, Canada (Office)
          0.2             0.2  
 
East Sussex, U.K. (Office)
    0.1       0.1             0.2  
 
Greensboro, NC (Office/Factory)
          0.2             0.2  
 
South Wales, U.K. (Office)
          0.1             0.1  
 
                               
Combat Systems:
                               
 
Vienna, Austria (Office/Plant)
    0.3       1.4       1.6       3.3  
 
Lima, OH (Plant)
                1.6       1.6  
 
Burglen, Switzerland (Office/Plant)
    1.1                   1.1  
 
Muskegon, MI (Plant)
    1.0       0.1             1.1  
 
Murcia, Spain (Plant)
                1.0       1.0  
 
Trubia, Spain (Plant)
                1.0       1.0  
 
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland (Office/Plant)
    0.9                   0.9  
 
Marion, VA (Office/Plant)
    0.9                   0.9  
 
Palencia, Spain (Plant)
                0.9       0.9  
 
Marion, IL (Office/Plant)
          0.8             0.8  
 
Ontario, Canada (Office/Plant)
          0.8             0.8  
 
Granada, Spain (Plant)
                0.7       0.7  
 
Kaiserslautern, Germany (Office/Plant)
                0.6       0.6  
 
Sterling Heights, MI (Office/Warehouse)
    0.6                   0.6  
 
Garland, TX (Office/Plant)
    0.5                   0.5  
 
Oviedo, Spain (Plant)
                0.5       0.5  
 
Saco, ME (Office/Plant)
    0.5                   0.5  
 
Camden, AR (Office/Plant)
    0.1       0.3             0.4  
 
DeLand, FL (Office/Plant)
    0.4                   0.4  
 
Sevilla, Spain (Office/Plant)
                0.4       0.4  

(a)   The Resources group operates two underground coal mines and one surface coal mine in Illinois and several stone quarries, as well as sand and gravel pits and yards for its aggregates business in Chicago, Illinois, and Indiana. Coal preparation facilities and rail loading facilities are located at each mine sufficient for its output. The company owns approximately 170 acres of property in Rancho Cucamonga, California, of which approximately five acres are undeveloped.

     
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      Company-           Government-    
      owned   Leased   owned    
      Facilities   Facilities   Facilities   Total

Combat Systems (continued):
                               
 
Lincoln, NE (Office/Plant)
    0.2       0.1             0.3  
 
Red Lion, PA (Office/Plant)
    0.3                   0.3  
 
Scranton, PA (Plant)
          0.3             0.3  
 
St. Marks, FL (Office/Plant)
    0.3                   0.3  
 
Woodbridge, VA (Office)
    0.1       0.2             0.3  
 
Anniston, AL (Plant/Warehouse)
                0.2       0.2  
 
Burlington, VT (Office/Plant)
          0.2             0.2  
 
Charlotte, NC (Office/Plant)
          0.2             0.2  
 
La Coruna, Spain (Plant)
                0.2       0.2  
 
Pooraka, Australia (Office/Plant)
          0.1             0.1  
 
St. Petersburg, FL (Office)
          0.1             0.1  
 
Westminster, MD (Office/Plant)
          0.1             0.1  
 
                               
Marine Systems:
                               
 
Groton, CT (Shipyard)
    2.8       0.2             3.0  
 
Quonset Point, RI (Plant/Warehouse)
    0.4       1.1             1.5  
 
Brunswick, ME (Office/Plant/Warehouse)
    1.1       0.2             1.3  
 
Bath, ME (Shipyard)
    1.1                   1.1  
 
San Diego, CA (Shipyard)
    0.8       0.3             1.1  
 
                               
Aerospace:
                               
 
Savannah, GA (Office/Factory)
    1.4       0.1             1.5  
 
Long Beach, CA (Service/Completion Center)
    0.3       0.1             0.4  
 
Dallas, TX (Service/Completion Center)
    0.2       0.1             0.3  
 
Appleton, WI (Service/Completion Center)
    0.1       0.1             0.2  
 
Mexicali, Mexico (Factory)
          0.2             0.2  
 
Brunswick, GA (Service/Completion Center)
          0.1             0.1  
 
London, England (Service Center)
          0.1             0.1  
 
Las Vegas, NV (Service Center)
          0.1             0.1  
 
Minneapolis, MN (Service Center)
          0.1             0.1  
 
West Palm Beach, FL (Service Center)
          0.1             0.1  
 
Westfield, MA (Service Center)
    0.1                   0.1  

     
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For information relating to legal proceedings, see Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of the company’s security holders during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2003.

PART II


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE COMPANY’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange.
     The high and low sales prices of the company’s common stock and the cash dividends declared with respect to the company’s common stock for each quarterly period during the two most recent fiscal years are included in the Supplementary Data contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
     The number of holders of the company’s common stock as of January 31, 2004, was approximately 117,800.
     The company made no repurchases of its common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2003.

     
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following table presents summary selected historical financial data derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and other company information for each of the five years presented. The following information should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto.

                                             
(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share and employee amounts)   2003   2002   2001   2000   1999

Summary of Operations
                                       
Net sales
  $ 16,617     $ 13,829     $ 12,054     $ 10,305     $ 8,948  
Operating earnings
    1,467       1,582       1,486       1,325       1,203  
Interest expense, net
    (98 )     (45 )     (56 )     (60 )     (34 )
Provision for income taxes, net
    375       533       482       359       246  
Earnings from continuing operations
    997       1,051       943       899       880  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    7       (134 )           2        
Net earnings
    1,004       917       943       901       880  
Earnings per share:
                                       
 
Basic:
                                       
   
Continuing operations
    5.04       5.22       4.69       4.50       4.40  
   
Discontinued operations
    0.04       (0.67 )           0.01        

   
Net earnings
    5.08       4.55       4.69       4.51       4.40  
 
Diluted:
                                       
   
Continuing operations
    5.00       5.18       4.65       4.47       4.36  
   
Discontinued operations
    0.04       (0.66 )           0.01        

   
Net earnings
    5.04       4.52       4.65       4.48       4.36  
Cash dividends per common share
    1.28       1.20       1.12       1.04       0.96  
Sales per employee
    274,900       261,400       249,800       236,200       221,700  

Financial Position
                                       
Cash and equivalents
  $ 860     $ 328     $ 439     $ 175     $ 270  
Total assets
    16,183       11,731       11,069       7,987       7,744  
Short- and long-term debt
    4,043       1,471       1,978       575       1,103  
Shareholders’ equity
    5,921       5,199       4,528       3,820       3,170  
Book value per share
    29.91       25.87       22.56       19.05       15.77  

Other Information
                                       
Funded backlog
  $ 25,258     $ 21,338     $ 19,368     $ 14,366     $ 11,949  
Total backlog
    41,076       28,971       26,816       19,666       19,914  
Shares outstanding
    198.0       201.0       200.7       200.5       201.0  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                       
 
Basic
    197.8       201.4       201.1       199.8       200.0  
 
Diluted
    199.2       202.9       202.9       201.3       202.1  
Active employees
    67,600       53,900       51,500       43,300       43,400  

     
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(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or unless otherwise noted)

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(For an overview of the company’s business groups, including a discussion of products and services provided, see the Business discussion contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.)

MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

(MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW PIE CHART)

General Dynamics designs, develops, manufactures and supports leading-edge technology products and services for mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. The company’s primary customers are the U.S. military, other government organizations, the armed forces of allied nations and a diverse base of corporate and industrial buyers. It operates through four primary business groups — Information Systems and Technology, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Aerospace — and a smaller Resources group.
     The company has two primary business markets — defense and business aviation. The majority of the company’s revenues derive from contracts with the U.S. military. The Global War on Terrorism, Operation Iraqi Freedom and homeland defense concerns have focused the U.S. government’s efforts on ensuring that U.S. armed forces are equipped and trained to prevail in small- and large-scale conflicts around the world. At the same time, the president and the Department of Defense have indicated that they are committed to transforming the military into a more agile, responsive, lethal and survivable force for future engagements. These endeavors have driven steady funding increases for the Department of Defense since 2001.
     For fiscal year 2004, Congress appropriated $375 billion for the Department of Defense, a 21 percent increase in funding since 2001. This amount includes $140 billion for weapons and equipment procurement and research and development activities, an increase of 36 percent since 2001. These two funding areas deliver the majority of the company’s revenues, and their sustained increases demonstrate solid administration and congressional support for the U.S. military. Congress provided additional funding for Operation Iraqi Freedom, bringing the Department of Defense’s total funding to over $440 billion for fiscal year 2004. For fiscal year 2005, the president has requested that Congress appropriate $402 billion for the Department of Defense, a 7 percent increase over 2004, including $144 billion for procurement and research and development. While Department of Defense funding levels may change over time, levels of funding available for the company’s programs are expected to remain consistent for 2004 and 2005.

(DEFENSE FUNDING 2001-2005 BAR CHART)

     The global defense market is shaped largely by the demands of the U.S. military. Many foreign governments remain committed to funding weapons and equipment modernization in the pursuit of interoperability with U.S. and allied forces and flexible capabilities for peacekeeping and regional operations. The company continues to focus on the needs of these customers and expects growing international sales as it expands its market presence in Europe.

     
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     The Aerospace group is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of business-jet aircraft and is a leader in the long-range and ultra-long-range, large-cabin business-jet market. The company’s market is influenced in part by the capital goods sector and the demand for business-aviation products by U.S. and foreign businesses, the U.S. and other governments and high-net-worth individuals.
     Business aviation was affected by the global economic slowdown in recent years. During that time, the company pursued aggressive management initiatives to improve efficiency and introduced new products that expanded the markets served by its aircraft. The company anticipates an improved environment as the global economy shows signs of recovery and the business-jet aircraft market stabilizes. The company will continue to implement improved business processes to take full advantage of these conditions.
     The company’s management is committed to creating shareholder value through ethical business practices, disciplined program management and continuous operational improvements. The company has proven itself as an industry leader in generating strong cash flows, which have enabled it to enhance returns through strategic and tactical acquisitions and share repurchases.

CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW

Results of Operations
The company’s net sales were $16.6 billion in 2003, up 20 percent over 2002. Acquisitions in Information Systems and Technology and Combat Systems and strong organic growth in the company’s defense businesses contributed to the sales growth, offset in part by reduced sales of new aircraft in Aerospace. The overall organic growth in 2003 was 8 percent, led by 20 percent organic growth in Information Systems and Technology. Growth from acquisitions in 2003 was 12 percent. In 2002, net sales increased by 15 percent over 2001 on strong volume in Information Systems and Technology and Combat Systems, as well as contributions from acquired businesses. About half of the sales growth in 2002 was organic.
     Net earnings grew more than 9 percent from 2002, to just over $1 billion in 2003. This increase resulted from both organic growth and acquisitions in Information Systems and Technology and Combat Systems, but was offset partially by decreased earnings in Marine Systems and Aerospace. The downward pressure on 2003 earnings from Marine Systems was driven by performance problems on commercial shipbuilding contracts. Aerospace 2003 earnings were lower because of reduced sales of new aircraft and market pricing pressures, particularly in the first half of the year; however, management is cautiously optimistic that the business-aviation market has stabilized. For 2002, the company’s net earnings were essentially flat compared with 2001 because of an after-tax charge of $134, reported as discontinued operations, that was associated with the company’s exit from its undersea fiber-optic cable-laying business.
     The company generated significant cash flow from operating activities in 2003 through strong operating results and diligent management of working capital, including sharply reduced levels of pre-owned aircraft inventory. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.7 billion in 2003 compared with $1.1 billion in 2002 and 2001. The company used its cash to pay down debt, as reflected in an increase in net debt of only $2.1 billion during the year, despite making acquisitions in excess of $3 billion. The company also used the funds to repurchase its common shares, pay dividends and fund capital expenditures. In 2002 and 2001, cash from operating activities approximated net income.
     General and administrative (G&A) expenses as a percentage of sales have remained consistent year over year at around 6.5 percent. G&A was $1.1 billion in 2003, $903 in 2002 and $808 in 2001.
     Income from non-operating items was $3 in 2003 compared with $47 in 2002, which included a $36 gain from the sale of some assets of the Space Propulsion operation within Combat Systems. In 2001, expense


(RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BAR CHARTS)

     
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from non-operating items was $5. Net interest expense increased to $98 in 2003 from $45 in 2002, the result of a higher average borrowing balance from the company’s issuance of additional debt to fund acquisitions. Net interest expense was $56 in 2001.
     The company’s effective tax rate was 27.3 percent in 2003, 33.6 percent in 2002 and 33.8 percent in 2001. The 2003 tax rate was lower than in previous years because of a settlement of the 1996 to 1998 audit cycle with the Internal Revenue Service and the resolution of some outstanding state tax disputes. These events resulted in non-cash benefits totaling $68, favorably impacting the company’s tax rate by 5 percent.
     As noted above, the company exited its undersea fiber-optic cable-laying business in the fourth quarter of 2002 because of substantial overcapacity in the market and a lack of contract backlog. The results of this business’ operations are included as discontinued operations, net of income taxes, for all periods presented. The company recognized an after-tax gain of $7 in 2003 upon the favorable resolution of certain liabilities related to this business. In 2002, the company recognized an after-tax loss of $134, including an after-tax charge of $109 for ship lease obligations and the write-down of assets to net realizable value. In 2001, the cable-laying business operated at a break-even level. Operating results from this business had been included in the Information Systems and Technology group since 1998.

Backlog

(BACKLOG BAR CHART)

The company’s total backlog increased 42 percent over 2002 to $41.1 billion at year-end 2003. This growth resulted from substantial new order activity in all business groups and acquisitions in Information Systems and Technology and Combat Systems. New orders received during 2003 totaled $25 billion, including an $8.4 billion submarine order in the Marine Systems group. The company’s funded backlog grew 18 percent over 2002 to $25.3 billion at the end of 2003.
     The company’s defense businesses contributed $34.3 billion to the 2003 year-end total backlog, an increase of 57 percent over 2002. This portion of the total backlog represents the estimated remaining sales value of work to be performed under firm contracts. The funded portion of this backlog increased to $21 billion in 2003 and includes items that have been authorized and appropriated by Congress and funded by the customer. The unfunded backlog represents firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated. The backlog does not include work awarded under indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. The total potential value of these contracts was approximately $6.7 billion as of December 31, 2003, up from $3 billion at the end of 2002, and may be realized over the next 10 years.
     The Aerospace group’s total backlog of $6.5 billion remained steady in 2003 despite adverse economic conditions in the business-jet market in late 2002 and the first half of 2003. The Aerospace funded backlog was $4.1 billion at the end of 2003 and includes orders for which the company has definitive purchase contracts and deposits from the customer. The unfunded backlog, which consists of options to purchase new aircraft and agreements to provide future aircraft maintenance and support services, was $2.4 billion at year-end 2003, up slightly from 2002.
     The Resources group’s backlog was $220 as of year-end 2003, of which $163 was funded.

REVIEW OF OPERATING SEGMENTS

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY

Results of Operations and Outlook

                                 
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   Variance

Net sales
  $ 4,978     $ 3,681     $ 1,297       35 %
Operating earnings
    538       436       102       23 %
Operating margin
    10.8 %     11.8 %                


The Information Systems and Technology group experienced strong net sales and operating earnings growth in 2003 from substantial organic growth and the addition of several new businesses. Volume increased in 2003 across all of the group’s operations, reflecting the growing importance of digital, network-centric C4ISR and information-sharing technologies in the defense and intelligence communities. This growth included increases in:

  Sales activity in infrastructure and information technology support services;
  Deliveries of ruggedized computing equipment and high-speed encryption products;
  Sales to intelligence agencies; and
  Volume on communications systems such as the BOWMAN program, a secure digital voice and data communications system for the United Kingdom’s armed forces.

     
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     The group’s overall operating margin decreased slightly in 2003 as a result of lower margins in the businesses acquired during the year, and because earnings in 2002 included the favorable resolution of some commercial program exposures.
     During 2003, the company completed three acquisitions in the group — Creative Technology Incorporated in March, Veridian Corporation in August and Digital System Resources, Inc., in September. The company believes these acquisitions strengthen its product mix and service offerings and expand its customer base within the intelligence and defense agencies of the U.S. government.
     Also during 2003, the company combined two business units into a new business unit, General Dynamics C4 Systems. The company believes the combination of these two operations will enhance its competitive position and enable it to more efficiently serve its customers. The combined business unit provides systems-integration capabilities in the areas of tactical networks, information assurance, command and control, space products and systems, and military radios.
     For 2004, the company expects continued strong revenue and earnings growth in the Information Systems and Technology group, driven by the 2003 acquisitions, the group’s expanding customer base and the continued fielding of growing programs, such as BOWMAN and the Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 search-and-rescue system. The company anticipates a modest decrease in operating margins as it continues to integrate the newly acquired businesses and as new awards change the group’s contract mix.
                                 
Year Ended December 31   2002   2001   Variance

Net sales
  $ 3,681     $ 2,691     $ 990       37 %
Operating earnings
    436       261       175       67 %
Operating margin
    11.8 %     9.7 %                


     In 2002, net sales and operating earnings were up considerably over 2001. The increases resulted from organic growth in core government programs, such as the BOWMAN program, and the acquisition of Integrated Information Systems Group (IISG) from Motorola, Inc., in September 2001. Operating margins in 2002 were significantly higher than historical averages due to a shift in the group’s product mix, including accelerated deliveries of encryption products, the acquisition of Decision Systems, the reduction of commercial program exposures discussed above, and the elimination of goodwill amortization upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

Backlog

(BACKLOG BAR CHART)

The Information Systems and Technology group’s backlog increased $2.4 billion in 2003 to $7.7 billion at year end, from both acquisitions and new order activity. Over 80 percent of the group’s backlog at year end was funded. In contrast with the company’s other defense businesses, Information Systems and Technology’s backlog consists of a large number of relatively small dollar-value contracts and programs. These include programs that support the U.S. government’s military transformation, homeland security initiatives and overseas programs that underscore the growing international market for the company’s products and services.
     The group’s backlog does not include approximately $6.5 billion of potential contract value awarded under IDIQ contracts. A significant portion of this IDIQ value represents contracts for which the company has been designated as the sole-source supplier over several years to design, develop, produce and integrate complex products and systems for the military or other government agencies. Management believes that the customers intend to fully implement these systems. However, because the value of these arrangements is subject to the customer’s future exercise of an indeterminate quantity of delivery orders, the company recognizes these contracts in backlog only when they are funded.
     In 2003, the company received two significant awards that extend two of the group’s longest-running programs. The Army awarded the company the Common Hardware/Software III (CHS-3) contract to provide continually updated commercial and ruggedized computers, network hardware equipment, power subsystems, peripheral devices and commercial software to the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and other federal agencies worldwide. This IDIQ contract, which has a potential value of $2 billion over its 10-year life, is a follow-on to the company’s CHS-2 contract, now entering its tenth year. In addition, the Air Force selected the company for an IDIQ contract, called Intelligence Information, Command-and-Control Equipment and Enhancements (ICE2), to support and maintain critical intelligence and command-and-control systems and networks for U.S. defense and intelligence operations worldwide. The contract, which extends a program that

     
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the company has been operating for over 25 years, has a four-year base term with two three-year options and a total potential value of $2 billion.
     The company won several other notable awards during the year, including contracts to develop and demonstrate several aspects of the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. The FCS program, which is central to the Army’s transformation initiative, is a family of advanced, networked air- and ground-based systems. The Information Systems and Technology group was selected to provide the integrated computer system, sensor data management and mission planning and preparation services for FCS. The combined value of these Information Systems and Technology awards is in excess of $350 over the next five years, with potential for follow-on production activity. Combat Systems is performing additional work on the FCS program.
     The Army also selected the company to develop, produce and integrate the Land Warrior soldier system. This program provides the individual soldier with personal electronics, communications, global navigation and other integrated equipment designed to increase awareness, lethality and survivability. The Army plans to fully integrate this system with the Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and the FCS program. Including options, the Land Warrior program has a potential value of approximately $790 over the next seven years.
     The Army awarded the company a contract with a potential value of approximately $300 over 10 years to integrate a voice and data communications system, called the Secure Enroute Communications Package — Improved (SECOMP-I). This system is designed to enable joint tactical forces to arrive at their deployment destinations fully briefed on the most current intelligence reports and plan updates available.

COMBAT SYSTEMS

Results of Operations and Outlook

                                 
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   Variance

Net sales
  $ 4,166     $ 2,923     $ 1,243       43 %
Operating earnings
    463       323       140       43 %
Operating margin
    11.1 %     11.1 %                


The Combat Systems group’s net sales and operating earnings increased significantly in 2003 primarily due to a series of acquisitions during the year that broadened the company’s product base, opened new markets and further aligned the company with Department of Defense transformational initiatives. The growth from acquisitions was augmented by steady organic growth in sales and operating earnings, including increased volume in the Leopard tank production program in Spain, growing contributions to the Army’s FCS program and strong performance in the company’s munitions and armaments operations. This growth was offset slightly by fewer Abrams main battle tank upgrades, reduced deliveries of the Pizarro Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle in Spain and the 2002 termination of the Crusader program.
     During 2003, the company completed three acquisitions in the group — General Motors Defense (GM Defense) in March, Intercontinental Manufacturing Company in September and Steyr Daimler Puch Spezialfahrzeug Aktiengesellschaft & Company KG (Steyr) in October. The acquisition of GM Defense included MOWAG, a combat vehicle operation based in Switzerland. With the addition of MOWAG and Steyr to the company’s existing combat vehicle presence in Spain, the company created a new business unit called General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems, based in Vienna, Austria. The company believes the consolidation of these businesses under common management positions the Combat Systems group to strengthen its market base, better serve its customers and more competitively pursue land combat systems opportunities around the world.
     The company believes the Combat Systems group, with its broad and diverse base of product offerings and substantial backlog, is well positioned for solid growth in 2004 and beyond. Accordingly, management expects strong revenue and earnings growth for the group in 2004 with operating margins consistent with 2003.
                                 
Year Ended December 31   2002   2001   Variance

Net sales
  $ 2,923     $ 2,210     $ 713       32 %
Operating earnings
    323       238       85       36 %
Operating margin
    11.1 %     10.8 %                


     For 2002, organic growth was the primary driver of the significant increases in net sales and operating earnings in the Combat Systems group. This growth was fueled by increased production on the first brigade of the Stryker program, increased deliveries on the Leopard program, higher volume on various munitions programs and additional development work on the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV, formerly the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle). The acquisition of Advanced Technical Products, Inc., in June 2002 also contributed to the net sales and operating earnings growth in 2002.
     
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Backlog

(BACKLOG BAR CHART)

The Combat Systems group’s total backlog rose 71 percent in 2003 to $8.5 billion at year end because of acquisitions and new order activity, including several significant contract awards. The group’s funded backlog also grew significantly, from $4.2 billion in 2002 to $6 billion at the end of 2003. The group’s backlog consists primarily of long-term production contracts with scheduled deliveries through 2012.
     During 2003, Combat Systems won several contracts to partner with the U.S. military as it transforms its forces for the future. The company received an order from the Army for the third of six brigades of Stryker wheeled combat vehicles, a key component of the Army’s transformation to a lighter, more mobile force. The order, for 267 vehicles, is valued at $384 and is scheduled for delivery in 2004. The year-end backlog included $566 for the production of Stryker vehicles. Congress appropriated funding in 2004 for the fourth brigade, and the 2005 budget request includes funding for the fifth brigade. The first brigade of Stryker vehicles is deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. With the acquisition of GM Defense, the company has consolidated its lead role on the $4 billion Stryker program, which calls for a total of 2,096 vehicles for six planned brigades. The company believes there is significant potential for international sales of these vehicles.
     In addition, the group and its teaming partner were selected to develop and demonstrate portions of the Army’s FCS program. The contracts awarded to the Combat Systems group in 2003 have a value of $2.2 billion and include engineering development and demonstration of a family of eight manned ground vehicles, as well as the development of the autonomous navigation systems for unmanned and manned ground vehicles. These ground vehicles are intended to be the new generation of Army combat vehicles.
     The Army also awarded Combat Systems the lead technology integration contract for the second phase of its Future Force Warrior (FFW) advanced technology demonstration program. The $100 award is for completion of detailed designs of the FFW network-centric soldier system, part of the Army’s plan to create a highly networked, lethal, survivable soldier of the future. The system development and demonstration phase of this program has a potential value of $1 to $3 billion over a 10-year period.
     The Combat Systems backlog also included approximately $380 for the continued design and development of the Marine Corps’ EFV program. Seven out of nine new infantry carrier prototypes, as well as a command-and-control prototype, have been completed as of year-end 2003. Initial production of more than 1,000 vehicles is scheduled to begin in 2006.
     The company received additional funding to upgrade M1A2 Abrams battle tanks to the M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) configuration. Through this program, the company retrofits M1A2 tanks with improved electronics, command-and-control capabilities and armor enhancements that improve the tank’s effectiveness. The administration’s 2005 budget request includes funding for more M1A2 SEP upgrades. In addition, the company was awarded a contract modification in 2003 to provide 125 M1A1 hardware kits for the Egyptian tank co-production program, bringing the total program, which began in 1992, to 880 M1A1 tank kits.
     The Combat Systems group’s Leopard program is a long-term battle tank manufacturing contract for the Spanish army under license from a German company. The year-end backlog included $1.4 billion for the production of 232 Leopard tanks, with deliveries scheduled through 2008. The company also produces Pizarro Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicles for the Spanish army. The Spanish government awarded the company a contract valued at $640 for the second phase of the Pizarro program, bringing the total program value to almost $900, with deliveries of 212 vehicles scheduled through 2012.
     Combat Systems’ backlog at year-end 2003 included approximately $1.2 billion in armament, munitions and composite structures programs, such as reactive armor for the Bradley fighting vehicle and various trainable gun-mount systems. The ammunition programs include a $200 order from the Army in 2003 for rockets, motors and warheads for the Hydra-70 (70mm) rocket system, which raised the program value to date to over $800 and extended deliveries through 2006. The Army also awarded the company a contract to add a precision guidance system to the 70mm rocket family as part of the development of the next-generation Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The composite structures programs include work on numerous aerospace platforms, including the F-16, F-18, F-22, C-17, Joint Strike Fighter and unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Global Hawk and the Predator.

     
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MARINE SYSTEMS

Results of Operations and Outlook

                                 
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   Variance

Net sales
  $ 4,271     $ 3,650     $ 621       17 %
Operating earnings
    216       287       (71 )     (25 )%
Operating margin
    5.1 %     7.9 %                


The Marine Systems group’s net sales grew in 2003 from increases in volume across the group, including contracts for design and early-stage production on the Virginia-class submarine, conversion of Trident submarines (SSGN) and design and production of T-AKE combat logistics ships. Commercial shipbuilding, engineering and repair volume also rose during the year. These increases were offset partially by lower volume on several mature production programs, including the Seawolf-class submarine program.
     Operating earnings and margins for the Marine Systems group declined in 2003 because of performance problems on two commercial shipbuilding contracts. In the first quarter of the year, earnings were affected by problems first encountered in 2002 in the construction of two roll-on/roll-off cargo ships for Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. (TOTE). After the first quarter, there was no further erosion in this program. The two TOTE ships under contract have been delivered to the customer. In the latter part of the year, the group experienced problems during the construction of the first ship of a contract to produce four double-hull oil tankers. Management evaluated the program’s performance and the estimates to complete the four ships and recognized losses totaling approximately $70 on the contract. The first ship was in the water in the fourth quarter of 2003 and was approximately 90 percent complete at year end. Although the company does not expect any additional charges associated with these ships, management will continue to monitor the program closely. The first two ships are scheduled to be delivered in 2004, the third in 2005 and the fourth in 2006.
     The company expects revenue growth in the Marine Systems group in 2004 as the group executes its substantial backlog. Based on this large backlog of steady, long-term production programs and management’s current belief that the group has turned the corner on its commercial shipbuilding problems, the company expects Marine Systems’ operating margins to improve steadily in 2004. Other significant events expected in 2004 include the May 30 expiration of a collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union at Bath Iron Works, which represents approximately 65 percent of its work force.
                                 
Year Ended December 31   2002   2001   Variance

Net sales
  $ 3,650     $ 3,612     $ 38       1 %
Operating earnings
    287       310       (23 )     (7 )%
Operating margin
    7.9 %     8.6 %                


     In 2002, Marine Systems’ net sales were flat and operating earnings were down slightly from 2001. New commercial ship design work and an increase in volume on the Virginia-class submarine program were offset by lower volume on mature production programs. This shift in the group’s contract mix, along with the problems on the TOTE program discussed above, caused earnings and operating margins to decrease in 2002.

Backlog

(BACKLOG BAR CHART)
The Marine Systems group’s backlog grew remarkably in 2003 as a result of several significant contract awards. At the end of 2003, the group’s backlog reached an all-time high of $18.2 billion, a 56 percent increase over 2002. The backlog consists of numerous long-term submarine and ship construction programs, as well as repair and engineering contracts. The Navy’s shipbuilding plan will continue to have a significant influence on Marine Systems’ backlog.
     In 2003, the Navy awarded the company an $8.7 billion contract for the construction of the next six Virginia-class submarines, the largest submarine order in U.S. history. The contract authorizes construction of one ship per year from 2003 through 2008. In January 2004, the five ships planned for construction from 2004 through 2008 became part of a multiyear agreement, saving the customer approximately $300 and shifting $1.5 billion from unfunded to funded backlog. In 1998, the Navy had awarded the company a contract to build the first four Virginia-class submarines of this potential 30-ship program. The Marine Systems group’s backlog at year end included $1.7 billion associated with these first four submarines, with one submarine scheduled to be delivered each year from 2004 through 2007. The lead ship in the class, the Virginia, was christened in August 2003. The company is the prime contractor on this program, and construction is shared equally with its teaming partner.

     
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     The company received $310 in modifications to its contract to convert four Ohio-class Trident ballistic-missile submarines to an SSGN configuration, a multi-mission submarine optimized for tactical strike and special-operations support. These modifications are part of a $443 contract that the Navy awarded to Marine Systems in 2002 for the design and related support of this conversion program. In addition, the Navy awarded the Information Systems and Technology group over $100 in contracts in 2003 to support the SSGN conversion.
     In 2003, the Navy awarded the company a $953 contract modification to provide funding for the next two Arleigh Burke-class DDG destroyers, part of a seven-ship award received in September 2002. At the end of 2003, the group’s backlog included 12 DDGs scheduled for delivery through 2010. The 2005 defense budget includes two DDGs.
     An international team led by the Marine Systems group was one of three contractors that received contracts in 2003 to develop preliminary designs for the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The LCS is an integrated surface combatant intended to operate in coastal areas against terrorist threats, high-speed swarm boats, mines and diesel submarines. The Navy plans to award construction contracts in 2004 to two of the three remaining competitors for two ships each. The first ship delivery is scheduled in 2007.
     In 2003, the Navy exercised an option to build a fourth T-AKE ship, a new class of combat logistics ships. This option is valued at approximately $290 and is part of a potential 12-ship contract awarded to the company in 2001. The backlog included $1.1 billion at year end for the construction of the first four ships, which are scheduled to be delivered between 2005 and 2007. In January 2004, the Navy exercised options worth approximately $580 for the fifth and sixth T-AKE ships. The contract has options for six more ships over the next five years, for a total potential contract value of approximately $3.7 billion.

AEROSPACE

Results of Operations and Outlook

                                 
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   Variance

Net sales
  $ 2,946     $ 3,289     $ (343 )     (10 )%
Operating earnings
    218       447       (229 )     (51 )%
Operating margin
    7.4 %     13.6 %                

 
                               
Aircraft Deliveries (in units):
                               

Green
    74       85                  
Completion
    74       94                  


The Aerospace group’s sales and earnings were $2,946 and $218, respectively, for 2003, down from the previous year. The group’s performance was affected by a deterioration in the business aviation market during the second half of 2002 and the first half of 2003. The deterioration was driven primarily by lower demand for new aircraft and oversupply of new and pre-owned aircraft. In particular, the oversupply of relatively new pre-owned aircraft available for sale in the market put additional pricing pressure on both new and pre-owned aircraft. These conditions lowered sales and put downward pressure on margins. In response, the company took a series of actions, including cost reductions, layoffs and process improvements to reduce costs and improve profitability on an ongoing basis. The company expects to realize significant annual expense savings beginning in 2004 as a result of these actions.
     Market conditions appeared to improve during the second half of 2003, and the company is cautiously optimistic that the outlook for the Aerospace group is improving. The group experienced quarter-over-quarter sales and earnings growth beginning in the second quarter of 2003, and new aircraft manufacturing margins improved steadily throughout the year. Pre-owned and new aircraft inventories at year end declined considerably from 2002, and losses associated with pre-owned aircraft activity were all but eliminated by the fourth quarter, resulting in fewer losses in pre-owned aircraft for the full year 2003 ($64) than in 2002 ($81). Orders for new aircraft increased each quarter during the year and reached record levels in the fourth quarter of 2003. Market data also indicate that prices are stabilizing on both new and pre-owned aircraft.
     The company expects improved earnings and operating margins in the Aerospace group on slightly higher deliveries in 2004, assuming price stabilization, elimination of pre-owned losses and the realization of cost reduction actions taken in 2003.
                                 
Year Ended December 31   2002   2001   Variance

Net sales
  $ 3,289     $ 3,265     $ 24       1 %
Operating earnings
    447       625       (178 )     (28 )%
Operating margin
    13.6 %     19.1 %                

 
                               
Aircraft Deliveries (in units):
                               

Green
    85       84                  
Completion
    94       98                  


     Net sales in 2002 were flat compared with 2001, while operating earnings decreased from losses on pre-owned aircraft sales, charges to write down pre-owned aircraft inventory to fair market value, fewer deliveries of large aircraft and a shift in the mix of new aircraft deliveries to include lower-margin mid-size aircraft.
     
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Summary of Aircraft Statistical Information
Sales contracts for new aircraft usually have two major milestones: the manufacture of the green aircraft and the aircraft’s completion, which includes exterior painting and installation of customer-selected interiors and optional avionics. The company records revenues when green aircraft are delivered to and accepted by the customer, and when the customer accepts final delivery of the fully outfitted aircraft.
     The following table summarizes key unit data for the Aerospace group’s orders and backlog:

                           
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

New orders
    75       76       71  
Options exercised
    3       2       2  

 
Firm orders (a)
    78       78       73  
Cancellations (a)
    (12 )     (6 )      

Total orders (a)
    66       72       73  
 
                       
New options (a)
    3             4  
 
                       
Firm contracts in backlog
    158       173       131  
Options in backlog
    103       103       63  

 
Total aircraft in backlog
    261       276       194  
Completions in backlog (b)
    38       38       49  

(a)   Excludes fractional activity. The company received orders for 50 aircraft and 50 options in 2001, orders for 55 aircraft and 50 options in 2002 and cancellations for seven aircraft in 2003 from fractional customers.
(b)   Represents aircraft that have moved from green production to the completion process as of year end. Backlog includes only the value of the completion effort on these aircraft.

(NEW AIRCRAFT ORDERS FOR 2002 AND 2003 BAR CHART)

Backlog

(BACKLOG BAR CHART)

The Aerospace group’s backlog remained steady in 2003 despite the difficult market conditions, ending the year at $6.5 billion, of which $4.1 billion was funded. The backlog includes aircraft deliveries scheduled through 2010. Approximately $2.1 billion, or 51 percent, of the group’s funded backlog is with NetJets Inc. (NetJets), a unit of Berkshire Hathaway and the leader in the fractional aircraft market, representing firm contracts for 114 aircraft. The unfunded backlog includes $1.4 billion for 100 aircraft options from NetJets, constituting 90 percent of the options in backlog. NetJets also represents almost 70 percent of the maintenance and support services in unfunded backlog. Deliveries of aircraft to NetJets are scheduled from 2004 through 2010 and represent as little as 4 percent and as much as 17 percent of projected new aircraft sales in those years.
     The group’s remaining $2 billion of funded backlog at year-end 2003 consists of contracts with a broad range of customers from a variety of industries and approximately $440 of contracts with government customers.
     The company continues to pursue opportunities to provide special mission aircraft to military customers around the world. In 2003, the company was awarded a contract to provide four Gulfstream G550 aircraft to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The contract has an option for two additional G550 aircraft, for a total potential value of approximately $470. In addition, the company’s Gulfstream G450 aircraft was designated the platform of choice by one of the two competitors in a pending U.S. military procurement for special mission ISR applications.

(SCHEDULED DELIVERIES BAR CHART)

     
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RESOURCES

The company’s Resources group principally consists of two businesses: a coal mining company and an aggregates company that supplies the construction industry.

Results of Operations

                                 
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   Variance

Net sales
  $ 256     $ 286     $ (30 )     (10 )%
Operating earnings
    32       89       (57 )     (64 )%


Net sales and operating earnings in the Resources group decreased in 2003 because of lower volume in the coal and aggregates businesses from unfavorable seasonal conditions and reduced earnings in the company’s commercial pension plan. In 2002, earnings increased because the company, in response to the improved long-term outlook for some of the coal operation’s contracts, reversed some contingency reserves that had been previously established.
                                 
Year Ended December 31   2002   2001   Variance

Net sales
  $ 286     $ 276     $ 10       4 %
Operating earnings
    89       52       37       71 %

     Net sales and earnings in 2002 improved over 2001 because of increased volume and improved cost performance in the aggregates business. In addition, as noted above, earnings increased as a result of the reversal of contingency reserves.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In the mid-1990s, the company embarked on a strategy of disciplined capital deployment through strategic and tactical acquisitions designed to grow the company beyond its core platform businesses. These acquisitions incorporated new products and technologies and expanded the company’s customer base. Since 1995, the company has acquired more than 30 businesses at a total cost of approximately $13.2 billion. This has resulted in a larger, more diversified company while preserving a strong balance sheet and sustained financial flexibility.
     In terms of overall capital deployment for 2003, the company consummated over $3 billion of acquisitions, repurchased approximately 4.7 million of its outstanding common shares at an average price of $64 per share and continued its trend of consecutive annual dividend increases. Meanwhile, and in spite of the $3 billion in acquisitions, net debt (total debt less cash and equivalents) increased only $2.1 billion — to $3.2 billion at December 31, 2003. At the same time, the company converted a significant portion of its commercial paper to fixed-rate debt to take advantage of attractive borrowing rates available to the company. The company ended the year with a cash balance of $860, total debt of $4 billion and a debt-to-capital ratio of 41 percent.
     Cash generation continues to be one of management’s key areas of focus, and 2003 was a particularly strong year in this regard. Free cash flow from operations for the year totaled $1.5 billion, compared with $861 in 2002 and $745 in 2001. Management defines free cash flow from operations as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures. Management believes free cash flow from operations is a useful measure for investors, because it portrays the company’s ability to generate cash from its core businesses for such purposes as repaying maturing debt, funding business acquisitions and paying dividends. The following table reconciles the free cash flow from operations with the cash flow from operating activities, as classified on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:

                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Cash flow from operating activities
  $ 1,723     $ 1,125     $ 1,101  
Capital expenditures
    (224 )     (264 )     (356 )

Free cash flow from operations
  $ 1,499     $ 861     $ 745  


     As discussed above, the company uses its free cash flow from operations in a disciplined capital deployment process to invest internally, make strategic acquisitions and repurchase the company’s shares in the open market. With free cash flow from operations projected to approximate net earnings in 2004, the company expects to continue to generate funds in excess of its short- and long-term liquidity needs. Management believes
     
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that the company has adequate funds on hand and sufficient borrowing capacity to execute its financial and operating strategy. Going forward in 2004, management anticipates focusing on operations and the integration of recently acquired businesses.
     The following is a discussion of the company’s major operating, investing and financing activities for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, as classified on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.7 billion in 2003, compared with $1.1 billion in both 2002 and 2001. The increase in cash flows in 2003 was due to substantial reductions in both new and pre-owned aircraft inventories in the Aerospace group and an influx of customer advances and deposits near the end of the year. In 2002 and 2001, cash provided by operating activities approximated net income.
     Termination of A-12 Program. As discussed further in Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements, litigation on the A-12 program termination has been ongoing since 1991. If, contrary to the company’s expectations, the default termination is ultimately sustained, the company and The Boeing Company could collectively be required to repay the U.S. government as much as $1.4 billion for progress payments received for the A-12 contract, plus interest, which was approximately $1.1 billion at December 31, 2003. In this outcome, the government contends the company’s liability would be approximately $1.2 billion pretax, or $700 after-tax. The company believes that it has sufficient resources to pay such an obligation, if required, while still retaining ample liquidity.

Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $3.2 billion in 2003, $400 in 2002 and $1.7 billion in 2001. The primary uses of cash in investing activities were business acquisitions and capital expenditures, offset slightly by cash received from the sale of assets.
     Business Acquisitions. On August 11, 2003, the company completed its acquisition of Veridian Corporation, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, for approximately $1.5 billion in cash. On March 1, 2003, the company acquired GM Defense of London, Ontario, a business unit of General Motors Corporation, for approximately $1.1 billion in cash.
     On June 14, 2002, the company acquired the outstanding stock of Advanced Technical Products, Inc., for $214 in cash, plus the assumption of $43 in outstanding debt, which was repaid at the time of the acquisition.
     On September 28, 2001, the company acquired IISG from Motorola, Inc., for $825 in cash. On June 5, 2001, the company acquired substantially all of the assets of Galaxy Aerospace Company LP, for $330 in cash, after a purchase price adjustment received during the first quarter of 2002. The company may be required to make additional payments to the selling parties, up to a maximum of approximately $300 through 2006, contingent on the achievement of specific revenue targets. On January 26, 2001, the company acquired Primex Technologies, Inc., for $334 in cash plus the assumption of $204 in outstanding debt, $149 of which was repaid at the time of the acquisition.
     The company completed several other business acquisitions in the Information Systems and Technology, Combat Systems and Aerospace groups during the last three years at a total cost of $515.
     The company financed these acquisitions by issuing commercial paper. The company refinanced a significant portion of this debt during 2003, as discussed in Financing Activities.
     Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures in 2003 were $224, down approximately 15 percent from $264 in 2002. In 2002, capital expenditures decreased approximately 25 percent from the $356 spent in 2001 as a result of the completion of a facility modernization project at the company’s Bath Iron Works shipyard in 2001. The company expects capital expenditures in 2004 to remain consistent with 2003. The company had no material commitments for capital expenditures as of December 31, 2003.
     Sale of Assets. On October 2, 2002, the company sold certain assets of its Space Propulsion operation for $90. The remainder of the Space Propulsion operation is included in the Combat Systems group.
     On February 15, 2001, the Aerospace group sold its engine overhaul business for $55.
     The company received approximately $60 in cash during the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, from the sale of real estate in southern California.

Financing Activities
In 2003, cash provided by financing activities was $2 billion as a result of the issuance of fixed-rate notes, offset in part by repayment of outstanding debt, repurchases of common stock and payment of dividends. In 2002, cash used by financing activities was $836, and cash provided was $908 in 2001.
     Debt Proceeds, Net. On April 3, 2003, the company filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register $3 billion of debt securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). On May 15, 2003, the company issued $2 billion of medium-term fixed-rate debt pursuant to the Registration Statement. On August 14, 2003, the company extended the debt registered to $3.1 billion and issued an additional $1.1 billion of medium-term fixed-rate debt pursuant to the Registration Statement. The proceeds were used to repay a substantial portion of the company’s outstanding commercial paper. This had the effect of fixing interest rates on debt that previously carried variable rates.

     
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     The resulting net reduction in commercial paper for 2003 was $529. Net repayments of commercial paper were $451 in 2002. In 2001, the company received net proceeds from commercial paper issuances of $825, which were used primarily to fund business acquisitions. As of December 31, 2003, the company had $183 of commercial paper outstanding with an average yield of approximately 1.1 percent and an average term of 10 days. The company expects to reissue commercial paper as it matures and has the option to extend the term up to 270 days. The company has $2 billion in bank credit facilities that serve as back-up liquidity facilities to the commercial paper program.
     On August 27, 2001, the company issued $500 of three-year floating-rate notes due September 1, 2004. The notes are registered under the Securities Act. Interest on the notes resets quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 0.22 percent, and is payable each March, June, September and December. The notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time prior to their maturity at 100 percent of the principal amount, plus any accrued but unpaid interest on the date the notes are redeemed. The company used the net proceeds of the issuance to repay a portion of the borrowings under its commercial paper program. These floating-rate notes are guaranteed by certain of the company’s 100-percent-owned subsidiaries.
     Approximately $750 of the company’s borrowings is scheduled to mature in 2004. Based on the level of cash the company expects to generate from operations and the existing capacity under its financing arrangements, the company believes it has sufficient resources to pay these obligations.
     Share Repurchases. On March 7, 2000, the company’s board of directors authorized management to repurchase up to 10 million shares of the company’s issued and outstanding common stock in the open market. In January 2003, the company repurchased 3.2 million shares for approximately $210, which completely utilized the March 2000 authorization. On February 5, 2003, the board of directors authorized management to repurchase up to 6 million additional shares. The company has since repurchased an additional 1.5 million shares for $90 in 2003. The company repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares for $100 in 2002 and 1.5 million shares for $113 in 2001 under the March 2000 authorization.
     Dividends. On March 3, 2004, the company’s board of directors declared an increased regular quarterly dividend of $.36 per share — the seventh consecutive annual increase. The board had previously increased the quarterly dividend to $.32 per share in March 2003, to $.30 per share in March 2002 and to $.28 per share in March 2001.

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2003, the company had no material off-balance sheet arrangements, other than operating leases. This includes guarantees; retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to unconsolidated entities; derivative instruments indexed to the company’s stock and classified in shareholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet; and variable interests in entities that provide financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the company or engage in leasing, hedging or research and development services with the company.

Contractual Obligations
The following table presents information about the company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2003:

                                         
    Payment Due by Period
   
Contractual obligations   Total Amount Committed   Less Than 1 Year   1-3 Years   4-5 Years   After 5 Years

Long-term debt (a)
  $ 5,077     $ 888     $ 775     $ 911     $ 2,503  
Capital lease obligations
    13       2       4       4       3  
Operating leases
    684       112       200       124       248  
Purchase obligations (b)
    4,434       1,099       1,545       1,148       642  
Other long-term liabilities (c)
    2,554       1,074       480       362       638  

 
  $ 12,762     $ 3,175     $ 3,004     $ 2,549     $ 4,034  

(a)   Includes scheduled interest payments.
(b)   Includes amounts committed under legally enforceable agreements for goods and services with defined terms as to quantity, price and timing of delivery. Excludes purchase orders for products and services to be delivered under firm government contracts under which the company has full recourse under normal contract termination clauses. In addition, as disclosed in Note Q to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the company expects to make approximately $74 of contributions to its retirement plans in 2004, which has been excluded from the above amount.
(c)   Represents other long-term liabilities on the company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet, including the current portion of long-term liabilities. The projected timing of cash flows associated with these obligations is based on management’s estimates, which are largely based on historical experience.

     
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Commercial Commitments
The following table presents information about the company’s commercial commitments as of December 31, 2003:

                                         
    Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period
   
Commercial commitments   Total Amount Committed   Less Than 1 Year   1-3 Years   4-5 Years   After 5 Years

Letters of credit (a)
  $ 921     $ 786     114         $ 21  
Trade-in options (a)
    229       129       100              

 
  $ 1,150     $ 915     214         $ 21  

(a)   See Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of letters of credit and aircraft trade-in options.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the company’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to long-term contracts and programs, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes, pensions and other postretirement benefits, workers’ compensation, warranty obligations, pre-owned aircraft inventory, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.      Management believes the following policies are critical and require the use of significant business judgment in their application:      Revenue Recognition — Government Contracts. The company accounts for sales and earnings under long-term defense contracts and programs using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. The company follows the guidelines of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts,” except that revisions of estimated profits on contracts are included in earnings under the reallocation method, in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes,” rather than the cumulative catch-up method. Under the reallocation method, the impact of revisions in estimates is recognized prospectively over the remaining life of the contract, while under the cumulative catch-up method such impact would be recognized immediately. If a revised estimate of contract profitability reveals an anticipated loss on the contract, the company recognizes the loss in the period it is identified.
     The company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes that profit evenly over the remaining life of the contract based on either input (e.g., costs incurred) or output (e.g., units delivered) measures, as appropriate to the circumstances. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting involves the use of various estimating techniques to project costs at completion, and in some cases includes estimates of recoveries asserted against the customer for changes in specifications. These estimates involve various assumptions and projections relative to the outcome of future events over a period of several years, including future labor productivity and availability, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, availability of materials, the impact of delayed performance, availability and timing of funding from the customer, and the timing of product deliveries. These estimates require the use of judgment. A significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of one or more of the company’s contracts. The company reviews its contract estimates periodically to assess revisions in contract values and estimated costs at completion and reflects changes in estimates in the current and future periods under the reallocation method.
     Business Aircraft. The company accounts for contracts for aircraft certified by the FAA in accordance with Statement of Position 81-1. These contracts usually provide for two major milestones: the manufacture of the “green” aircraft (i.e., before exterior painting and installation of customer-selected interiors and optional avionics) and its completion. The company records revenues at two points: when green aircraft are delivered to and accepted by the customer and when the customer accepts final delivery of the fully outfitted aircraft.
     The company does not recognize revenue at green delivery unless (1) a contract has been executed with the customer and (2) the customer can be expected to satisfy its obligations under the contract, as evidenced by the receipt of deposits from the customer.

     
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     Pre-owned Aircraft Inventories. In connection with orders for new aircraft, the company routinely offers customers trade-in options. Under these options, if exercised, the company will accept trade-in aircraft at a predetermined price based on estimated fair value. Once acquired in connection with a sale of new aircraft, the company records pre-owned aircraft at the lower of trade-in value or estimated net realizable value. The company treats any excess of the trade-in price above the net realizable value as a reduction of revenue upon the recording of the new aircraft sales transaction. The company also regularly assesses the carrying value of pre-owned aircraft in inventory and adjusts the carrying value to net realizable value when appropriate. The company determines net realizable value by using both internal and external aircraft valuation information. These valuations involve estimates and assumptions about many factors, including current market conditions, future market conditions, the age and condition of the aircraft and the availability of the aircraft in the market. These estimates require the use of judgment. Gross margins on sales of pre-owned aircraft can vary from quarter to quarter depending on the mix of aircraft sold and current market conditions.
     Commitments and Contingencies. The company is subject to litigation and other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of its business or arising under provisions relating to the protection of the environment. Estimating liabilities and costs associated with these matters requires the judgment of both management and legal counsel. When it is probable that the company has incurred a liability associated with claims or pending or threatened litigation matters and the company’s exposure is reasonably estimable, the company records a charge against earnings. The ultimate resolution of any exposure to the company may change as further facts and circumstances become known.
     Deferred Contract Costs. Certain costs incurred in the performance of the company’s government contracts are required to be recorded under GAAP but are not currently allocable to contracts. Such costs include a portion of the company’s estimated workers’ compensation, other insurance-related assessments, retirement benefits and environmental expenses. These costs become allocable to contracts when they are paid. The company defers these costs in contracts in process until they are paid, at which time they are charged to contracts and recovered from the government. The company expects to recover these costs through ongoing business, including both existing backlog and probable follow-on contracts. These efforts include numerous contracts for which the company is the sole source or one of two suppliers on long-term defense programs. The company regularly assesses the probability of recovery of these costs under its current and probable follow-on contracts. This assessment requires the company to make assumptions about future contract costs, the extent of cost recovery under the company’s contracts and the amount of future contract activity. These estimates require the use of judgment. If the level of backlog in the future does not support the continued deferral of these costs, the profitability of the company’s remaining contracts could be adversely affected.
     Pension Plans. The company makes assumptions about discount rates and long-term rates of return on plan assets to determine its net periodic pension cost in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions.” These estimates require the use of judgment, including consideration of both current and future market conditions. The company consults with outside experts to determine the appropriate assumptions. In the event a change in any of the assumptions is warranted, future pension cost as determined under SFAS 87 could increase or decrease. If the assumed rate of return on plan assets increased or decreased by 25 basis points, the company’s net pension income associated with its commercial plans would have increased or decreased by approximately $3 in 2003. Likewise, had the interest rate used to discount the company’s projected pension obligation increased or decreased by 25 basis points, the net pension income associated with the commercial plans would have increased by approximately $3 or decreased by approximately $2 in 2003. The company’s contractual arrangements with the U.S. government provide for the recovery of contributions to the company’s government plans. The company has deferred recognition of the cumulative earnings in its government plans to provide a better matching of revenues and expenses. As such, the company’s future income is not subject to the consequences of changes in the assumptions associated with these plans.

     Management believes that its judgment is applied consistently and produces financial information that fairly depicts the results of operations for all periods presented.

New Accounting Standards
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” in January 2003. The FASB revised FIN 46 in December 2003 to clarify certain provisions and amend the effective date. FIN 46 provides guidance on the consolidation of certain entities. The interpretation requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated if the equity interest at risk is not sufficient to permit that entity to finance its activities without support from other parties or if the equity investors lack certain specified characteristics. FIN 46 is effective December 31, 2003, for special-purpose entities created before February 1, 2003, and is effective in the first quarter of 2004 for all other variable interest entities. The company does not expect the adoption of FIN 46 to have a material effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

     
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The company is exposed to market risk, primarily related to interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Financial instruments subject to interest rate risk include fixed-rate and variable-rate long-term debt obligations, variable-rate commercial paper and short-term investments. As of December 31, 2003, the company had no short-term investments. Fixed-rate debt obligations issued by the company are generally not putable until maturity and are not actively traded by the company in the market. Therefore, exposure to interest rate risk is not believed to be material for the company’s fixed-rate debt. A hypothetical 100 basis-point increase in market rates of interest applicable to the company’s commercial paper balances and floating-rate notes would not have a material effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
     The company may enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. At December 31, 2003, no interest rate swap agreements were in effect.
     The company also is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk relating to receipts from customers, payments to suppliers and certain inter-company transactions in foreign currencies. The company principally uses foreign currency forward contracts from time to time to hedge the price risk associated with firmly committed and forecasted foreign-denominated payments, receipts and inter-company transactions related to its ongoing business and operational financing activities. Foreign currency contracts are sensitive to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2003, a 10 percent unfavorable exchange rate movement in the company’s portfolio of foreign currency forward contracts would have resulted in an incremental realized loss of $28 (pretax) and an incremental unrealized loss of $22 million (pretax). Consistent with the use of these contracts to neutralize the effect of exchange rate fluctuations, such realized and unrealized losses would be offset by corresponding gains, respectively, in the remeasurement of the underlying transactions being hedged. When taken together, these forward contracts and the offsetting underlying commitments do not create material market risk.

     
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

                             
        Year Ended December 31
       
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)   2003   2002   2001

Net Sales
  $ 16,617     $ 13,829     $ 12,054  
Operating costs and expenses
    15,150       12,247       10,568  

Operating Earnings
    1,467       1,582       1,486  
Interest expense, net
    (98 )     (45 )     (56 )
Other income (expense), net
    3       47       (5 )

Earnings from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
    1,372       1,584       1,425  
Provision for income taxes, net
    375       533       482  

Earnings from Continuing Operations
    997       1,051       943  

Discontinued operations, net of tax
    7       (134 )      

Net Earnings
  $ 1,004     $ 917     $ 943  

Earnings per share
                       
 
Basic:
                       
   
Continuing operations
  $ 5.04     $ 5.22     $ 4.69  
   
Discontinued operations
    0.04       (0.67 )      

   
Net earnings
  $ 5.08     $ 4.55     $ 4.69  
 
Diluted:
                       
   
Continuing operations
  $ 5.00     $ 5.18     $ 4.65  
   
Discontinued operations
    0.04       (0.66 )      

   
Net earnings
  $ 5.04     $ 4.52     $ 4.65  


The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
     
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Consolidated Balance Sheet

                 
    December 31
   
(Dollars in millions)   2003   2002

ASSETS
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and equivalents
  $ 860     $ 328  
Accounts receivable
    1,378       1,074  
Contracts in process
    2,548       1,914  
Inventories
    1,160       1,405  
Other current assets
    448       377  

Total Current Assets
    6,394       5,098  

Noncurrent Assets:
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    2,085       1,856  
Intangible assets, net
    1,030       560  
Goodwill, net
    6,083       3,510  
Other assets
    591       707  

Total Noncurrent Assets
    9,789       6,633  

 
  $ 16,183     $ 11,731  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
  $ 747     $ 750  
Accounts payable
    1,317       1,056  
Other current liabilities
    3,552       2,776  

Total Current Liabilities
    5,616       4,582  

Noncurrent Liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    3,296       721  
Other liabilities
    1,350       1,229  
Commitments and contingencies (see Note O)
               

Total Noncurrent Liabilities
    4,646       1,950  

Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Common stock, including surplus
    838       757  
Retained earnings
    6,206       5,455  
Treasury stock
    (1,279 )     (1,016 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    156       3  

Total Shareholders’ Equity
    5,921       5,199  

 
  $ 16,183     $ 11,731  

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

     
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

                           
      Year Ended December 31
     
(Dollars in millions)   2003   2002   2001

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                       
Earnings from continuing operations
  $ 997     $ 1,051     $ 943  
Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities—
                       
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of property, plant and equipment
    207       179       164  
 
Amortization of intangible assets and goodwill
    70       34       100  
 
Deferred income tax provision
    134       179       114  
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of effects of business acquisitions—
                       
 
Accounts receivable
    48       (90 )     (25 )
 
Contracts in process
    (437 )     (202 )     (225 )
 
Inventories
    188       (141 )     (223 )
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions—
                       
 
Accounts payable
    58       137       53  
 
Billings in excess of costs and estimated profits
    276       109       256  
 
Income taxes payable
    93       (19 )     27  
 
Other current liabilities
    111       (41 )     (140 )
Other, net
    (13 )     (70 )     55  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations
    1,732       1,126       1,099  
Net Cash (Used) Provided by Discontinued Operations
    (9 )     (1 )     2  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    1,723       1,125       1,101  

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
                       
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (3,044 )     (275 )     (1,451 )
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (30 )     (41 )     (45 )
Sales/maturities of available-for-sale securities
    31       39       42  
Capital expenditures
    (224 )     (264 )     (356 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    34       133       96  
Other, net
    1       8       (32 )

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
    (3,232 )     (400 )     (1,746 )

 
                       
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                       
Proceeds from issuance of fixed-rate notes, net
    3,094              
Net (repayments of) proceeds from commercial paper
    (529 )     (451 )     825  
Proceeds from issuance of floating-rate notes
                500  
Repayment of finance operations debt
    (18 )     (22 )     (20 )
Net repayments of other debt
    (22 )     (76 )     (133 )
Dividends paid
    (249 )     (236 )     (219 )
Purchases of common stock
    (300 )     (100 )     (113 )
Proceeds from option exercises
    65       49       68  

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities
    2,041       (836 )     908  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Equivalents
    532       (111 )     263  
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Year
    328       439       176  

Cash and Equivalents at End of Year
  $ 860     $ 328     $ 439  

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.    

     
32   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

                                                           
    Common Stock                   Accumulated Other   Total    
   
  Retained   Treasury   Comprehensive   Shareholders'   Comprehensive
(Dollars in millions)   Par   Surplus   Earnings   Stock   Income/(Loss)   Equity   Income

   

   
Balance, December 31, 2000
  $ 241     $ 378     $ 4,059     $ (833 )   $ (25 )   $ 3,820            

   
Net earnings
                943                   943       $ 943  
Cash dividends declared
                (224 )                 (224 )        
Shares issued under compensation plans
          54             16             70          
Tax benefit of exercised stock options
          21                         21          
Shares purchased
                      (113 )           (113 )        
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                            11       11         11  

   
Balance, December 31, 2001
    241       453       4,778       (930 )     (14 )     4,528       $ 954  

   
Net earnings
                917                   917       $ 917  
Cash dividends declared
                (240 )                 (240 )        
Shares issued under compensation plans
          38             14             52          
Tax benefit of exercised stock options
          25                         25          
Shares purchased
                      (100 )           (100 )        
Gain on cash flow hedge
                            7       7         7  
Unrealized gains on securities
                            1       1         1  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                            9       9         9  

   
Balance, December 31, 2002
    241       516       5,455       (1,016 )     3       5,199       $ 934  

   
Net earnings
                1,004                   1,004       $ 1,004  
Cash dividends declared
                (253 )                 (253 )        
Shares issued under compensation plans
          69             37             106          
Tax benefit of exercised stock options
          12                         12          
Shares purchased
                      (300 )           (300 )        
Net loss on cash flow hedges
                            (14 )     (14 )       (14 )
Unrealized gains on securities
                            3       3         3  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                            164       164         164  

   
Balance, December 31, 2003
  $ 241     $ 597     $ 6,206     $ (1,279 )   $ 156     $ 5,921       $ 1,157  

   

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.    

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   33


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(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts or unless otherwise noted)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization.
The company’s businesses include mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. The company also owns a coal mining operation and an aggregates operation. The company’s primary customers are the U.S. military, other government organizations, the armed forces of allied nations and a diverse base of corporate and industrial buyers.
     Basis of Consolidation and Use of Estimates. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of all wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements for all periods presented have been restated to reflect the results of operations of the company’s undersea fiber-optic cable-laying business in discontinued operations, as discussed in Note C. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
     Revenue Recognition. The company accounts for sales and earnings under long-term defense contracts and programs using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting in accordance with AICPA Statement of Position 81-1, “Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.” The company applies earnings rates to all contract costs, including general and administrative (G&A) expenses, to determine sales and operating earnings. The company reviews earnings rates periodically to assess revisions in contract values and estimated costs at completion. Based on these assessments, any changes in earnings rates are made prospectively.
     The company charges any anticipated losses on contracts and programs to earnings when identified. Such losses encompass all costs allocable to the contracts, including G&A expenses on government contracts. The company recognizes revenue arising from a claims process either as income or as an offset against a potential loss only when the claim can be reliably estimated and its realization is probable.
     The company accounts for contracts for aircraft certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in accordance with Statement of Position 81-1. These contracts usually provide for two major milestones: the manufacture of the “green” aircraft and its completion. Completion includes exterior painting and installation of customer-selected interiors and optional avionics. The company records revenue at two points: when green aircraft are delivered to and accepted by the customer and when the customer accepts final delivery of the fully outfitted aircraft. The company recognizes sales of all other aircraft products and services when the product is delivered or the service is performed.
     General and Administrative Expenses. G&A expenses were $1.1 billion in 2003, $903 in 2002 and $808 in 2001, and are included in operating costs and expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.
     Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense was $108 in 2003, $58 in 2002 and $68 in 2001. Interest payments were $79 in 2003, $55 in 2002 and $70 in 2001.
     Other Income (Expense), Net. Net other income in 2002 included a $36 pretax gain on the sale of some assets of the company’s Space Propulsion operations that were sold during the fourth quarter of 2002.
     Cash and Equivalents and Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. The company classifies its securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” The company considers securities with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The company adjusts all investments in debt and equity securities to fair value. The company recognizes market adjustments in the statement of earnings for trading securities and as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income for available-for-sale securities. The company had available-for-sale investments of $43 at December 31, 2003, and $50 at December 31, 2002. The company had no investments classified as trading securities at the end of either period.
     Accounts Receivable and Contracts in Process. Accounts receivable represent only amounts billed and currently due from customers. Recoverable costs and accrued profit related to long-term defense contracts and programs on which revenue has been recognized, but billings have not yet been presented to the customer (unbilled receivables) are included in contracts in process.
     Inventories. Work-in-process inventories represent aircraft components and are stated at the lower of cost (based on estimated average unit cost of the number of units in a production lot, or specific identification) or market. Raw materials are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. The company records pre-owned aircraft acquired in connection with the sale of new aircraft at the lower of the trade-in value (determined at the time of trade and based on estimated fair value) or estimated net realizable value.

     
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     Property, Plant and Equipment, Net. Property, plant and equipment are carried at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. Most of the company’s assets are depreciated using the straight-line method, with the remainder using accelerated methods. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over periods up to 50 years. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over periods up to 39 years. Depletion of mineral reserves is computed using the units-of-production method.
     Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. The company reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The company assesses the recoverability of the cost of the asset based on a review of projected undiscounted cash flows. In the event an impairment loss is identified, it is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the long-lived asset. If an asset is held for sale, the company reviews its estimated fair value less cost to sell.
     Environmental Liabilities. The company accrues environmental costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The company recorded cleanup and other environmental exit costs related to sold businesses at the time of disposal. Recorded liabilities have not been discounted. To the extent the U.S. government has specifically agreed to pay the ongoing maintenance and monitoring costs at sites currently used in the conduct of the company’s government contracting business, the company treats these costs as contract costs and recognizes the costs as paid.
     Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short- and long-term debt and derivative financial instruments. The company estimates the fair value of these financial instruments as follows:

  Cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable: fair value approximates carrying value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
  Short- and long-term debt: fair value is generally based on quoted market prices.
  Derivative financial instruments: fair value is based on valuation models that use observable market quotes.

     The differences between the estimated fair value and carrying value of the company’s financial instruments were not material as of December 31, 2003 and 2002.
     Stock-Based Compensation. The company accounts for its incentive compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. The company measures compensation expense for stock options as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the company’s stock at the measurement date over the exercise price. The company records stock awards at fair value at the date of the award. See Note P for a description of the company’s equity compensation plans.
     Had compensation expense for stock options been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under the company’s equity compensation plans, the company’s net earnings and net earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated as follows:

                           
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Net earnings, as reported
  $ 1,004     $ 917     $ 943  
 
Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net earnings, net of tax (a)
    14       15       31  
 
Deduct: Total fair value-based compensation expense, net of tax
    42       43       53  

 
Pro forma
  $ 976     $ 889     $ 921  
 
Net earnings
Per share—basic: As reported   $ 5.08     $ 4.55     $ 4.69  
 
Pro forma
  $ 4.93     $ 4.41     $ 4.58  
 
Net earnings
Per share—diluted:   As reported   $ 5.04     $ 4.52     $ 4.65  
 
Pro forma
  $ 4.90     $ 4.38     $ 4.54  

Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 10.95     $ 21.31     $ 17.67  

(a)   Represents restricted stock grants under the company’s 1997 Incentive Compensation Plan.

     The compensation cost calculated under the fair value approach shown above is recognized over the vesting period of the stock options. Fair value of options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively:

  Expected dividend yields of 2.17 percent, 1.38 percent and 1.30 percent;
  Expected volatility of 31.9 percent, 32.9 percent and 30.8 percent;
  Risk-free interest rates of 1.73 percent, 2.98 percent and 4.70 percent; and
  Expected lives of 27 to 51 months in 2003 and 2002, and 31 to 54 months in 2001.

     
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     Translation of Foreign Currencies. The functional currencies for the company’s international operations are the respective local currencies. The company translates foreign currency balance sheets at the end-of-period exchange rates and earnings statements at the average exchange rates for each period. The company includes the resulting foreign currency translation adjustments in the calculation of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included in shareholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
     Classification. Consistent with defense industry practice, the company classifies assets and liabilities related to long-term production contracts as current, even though a portion of these amounts is not expected to be realized within one year. In addition, certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.

B. ACQUISITIONS, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL, NET
In 2003, the company completed the following acquisitions for a total cost of approximately $3 billion, which was paid in cash:

Information Systems and Technology
  Digital System Resources, Inc., (DSR) of Fairfax, Virginia, on September 10. DSR is a provider of surveillance and combat systems for submarines and surface ships.
  Veridian Corporation (Veridian) of Arlington, Virginia, on August 11. Veridian provides the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the intelligence community with network security and enterprise protection; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems development and integration; decision support; information systems development and integration; chemical, biological and nuclear detection capabilities; network and enterprise management services; and large-scale systems engineering.
  Creative Technology Incorporated (CTI) of Herndon, Virginia, on March 31. CTI supports the intelligence community and the Department of Defense by delivering systems and network engineering, integration, software development, and operations and technical consulting.

Combat Systems
  Steyr Daimler Puch Spezialfahrzeug Aktiengesellschaft & Company KG (Steyr) of Vienna, Austria, on October 2. Steyr develops and manufactures armored combat vehicles, including the Pandur family of wheeled combat vehicles and the Ulan tracked infantry fighting vehicle.
  Intercontinental Manufacturing Company (IMCO) of Garland, Texas, a division of Datron, Inc., on September 4. IMCO develops and manufactures aircraft bomb bodies for the U.S. armed services.
  General Motors Defense (GM Defense) of London, Ontario, a business unit of General Motors Corporation, on March 1. GM Defense manufactures wheeled armored vehicles and turrets.

     In 2002, the company acquired the following businesses for a total cost of $275, which was paid in cash:

Information Systems and Technology
  Command System Incorporated (CSI) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, on August 27. CSI provides command-and-control software and hardware to U.S. and international military markets.

Combat Systems
  Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern GmbH i.I. (EWK) of Kaiserslautern, Germany, on October 31. EWK designs, develops and produces floating bridges and ferrying equipment for military forces worldwide.
  Advanced Technical Products, Inc., (ATP) on June 14. ATP manufactures chemical and biological detection equipment and advanced composite-based products that are used on many U.S. fighter aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

     In 2001, the company acquired the following businesses for a total cost of approximately $1.4 billion, which was paid in cash:

Information Systems and Technology
  Integrated Information Systems Group (IISG) of Scottsdale, Arizona, a business unit of Motorola, Inc., on September 28. IISG provides technologies, products and systems for information assurance, communications and situational awareness markets in the United States and abroad.

Combat Systems
  Primex Technologies, Inc., (renamed Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS)) of St. Petersburg, Florida, on January 26. OTS provides medium- and large-caliber ammunition, propellants, satellite propulsion systems and electronics products to the United States and its allies, as well as domestic and international industrial customers.
  Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara de Industrias Militares, S.A., (Santa Bárbara) of Madrid, Spain, on July 25. Santa Bárbara produces combat vehicles and munitions.

Aerospace
  Galaxy Aerospace Company LP (Galaxy) of Dallas, Texas, on June 5. Galaxy designs and manufactures the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100 and the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200.

     
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     The operating results of these businesses have been included with those of the company from their respective closing dates. The purchase prices of these businesses have been allocated to the estimated fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired, with any excess recorded as goodwill. Certain of the estimates related to the Veridian, IMCO, DSR and Steyr acquisitions are still preliminary at December 31, 2003. The company is awaiting the completion of the identification and valuation of intangible assets acquired. The company expects these analyses to be completed during the first quarter of 2004.
      Intangible assets consisted of the following:

                           
December 31   2003

      Gross           Net
      Carrying   Accumulated   Carrying
      Amount   Amortization   Amount

Amortized intangible assets:
                       
 
Contract and program intangible assets
  $ 991     $ (157 )   $ 834  
 
Other intangible assets
    282       (105 )     177  

 
  $ 1,273     $ (262 )   $ 1,011  

Unamortized intangible assets:
                       
 
Trademarks
  $ 19     $     $ 19  

                           
December 31   2002

      Gross           Net
      Carrying   Accumulated   Carrying
      Amount   Amortization   Amount

Amortized intangible assets:
                       
 
Contract and program intangible assets
  $ 481     $ (104 )   $ 377  
 
Other intangible assets
    252       (88 )     164  

 
 
  $ 733     $ (192 )   $ 541  

Unamortized intangible assets:
                       
 
Trademarks
  $ 19     $     $ 19  

     The company amortizes contract and program intangible assets on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 5 to 40 years. Other intangible assets consist primarily of aircraft product design, customer lists, software and licenses, which are amortized over periods ranging from 5 to 15 years.
     Amortization expense was $70 in 2003, $34 in 2002 and $100 (including $70 of goodwill amortization) in 2001. The company expects to record annual amortization expense over the next five years as follows:

                         

2004
  $ 91                  
2005
  $ 89                  
2006
  $ 89                  
2007
  $ 88                  
2008
  $ 85                  

     The company adopted SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on January 1, 2002. The provisions of SFAS 142 eliminate amortization of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives. Intangible assets with a finite life continue to be amortized over their useful life. The standard also requires an impairment assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually by applying a fair-value-based test. The company completed the required annual impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2003 and did not identify any impairment.
     The following table presents comparative earnings data as if SFAS 142 had been adopted January 1, 2001:

                           
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001 (Adjusted)

Reported net earnings
  $ 1,004     $ 917     $ 943  
Add back: Amortization, net of tax effect
                45  

Adjusted net earnings
  $ 1,004     $ 917     $ 988  

Basic earnings per share:
                       
 
Reported basic net earnings per share
  $ 5.08     $ 4.55     $ 4.69  
 
Adjusted for amortization
                0.22  

 
Adjusted basic net earnings per share
  $ 5.08     $ 4.55     $ 4.91  

Diluted earnings per share:
                       
 
Reported diluted net earnings per share
  $ 5.04     $ 4.52     $ 4.65  
 
Adjusted for amortization
                0.22  

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share
  $ 5.04     $ 4.52     $ 4.87  

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   37


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     The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by business group for the year ended December 31, 2003, were as follows:

                                 
    December 31, 2002   Acquisitions (a)   Other (b)   December 31, 2003

Information Systems and Technology
  $ 2,213     $ 1,375     $ (7 )   $ 3,581  
Combat Systems
    756       1,091       113       1,960  
Marine Systems
    193                   193  
Aerospace
    347       1             348  
Resources
    1                   1  

 
  $ 3,510     $ 2,467     $ 106     $ 6,083  

(a)   Includes adjustments to preliminary assignment of fair value to net assets acquired.
(b)   Consists of adjustments for currency translation.

C. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The company exited its undersea fiber-optic cable-laying business in the fourth quarter of 2002 because of substantial overcapacity in the market and a lack of contract backlog. The results of this business’ operations had been included in the Information Systems and Technology group since 1998. The company recognized an after-tax loss of $134 in 2002, including an after-tax charge of $109 for ship lease obligations and the write-down of assets to net realizable value. In 2003, the company favorably settled some of the liabilities associated with this business, resulting in an after-tax gain of $7 from discontinued operations.
     The summary of operating results from discontinued operations follows:
                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Net sales
  $     $ 34     $ 109  
Operating expenses
          72       110  

Operating income (loss)
          (38 )     (1 )
Loss on disposal
    10       (167 )      

Income (loss) before taxes
    10       (205 )     (1 )
Tax (provision) benefit
    (3 )     71       1  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
  $ 7     $ (134 )   $  

     Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are recorded in other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and consisted of the following:

                   
December 31   2003   2002

Current assets
  $ 29     $ 68  
Noncurrent assets
          1  

 
Assets of discontinued operations
  $ 29     $ 69  

Current liabilities
    70       125  

 
Liabilities of discontinued operations
  $ 70     $ 125  

D. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share for all periods presented is computed using net earnings for the respective periods and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share incorporates the incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and the issuance of contingently issuable shares.
     Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding were as follows (in thousands):

                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Basic weighted average shares outstanding
    197,790       201,357       201,142  
Assumed exercise of stock options (a)
    1,237       1,467       1,608  
Contingently issuable shares
    125       28       157  

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    199,152       202,852       202,907  

(a)   Excludes the following outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price for the shares: year ended December 31, 2003-3,337; year ended December 31, 2002-2,195; year ended December 31, 2001-422.

     
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E. INCOME TAXES

The net provision for income taxes for continuing operations is summarized as follows:

                           
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Current:
                       
 
U.S. federal
  $ 250     $ 369     $ 378  
 
State (a)
    1       3       16  
 
Foreign
    58       (18 )     2  

 
Total current
    309       354       396  

Deferred:
                       
 
U.S. federal
    126       164       115  
 
State (a)
    3       2       (1 )
 
Foreign
    5       13        

 
Total deferred
    134       179       114  

Tax adjustments
    (68 )           (28 )

 
  $ 375     $ 533     $ 482  

(a)   The provision for state and local income taxes that is allocable to U.S. government contracts is included in operating costs and expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and, therefore, not included in the provision above.

     The reconciliation from the statutory federal income tax rate to the company’s effective income tax rate follows:

                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Statutory federal income tax rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
Tax adjustments
    (5.0 )           (2.0 )
State tax on commercial operations, net of federal benefits
    0.2       0.3       1.1  
Qualified export sales exemption
    (0.7 )     (0.9 )     (0.6 )
Tax credits
    (1.5 )     (0.4 )     (0.4 )
Other, net
    (0.7 )     (0.4 )     0.7  

Effective income tax rate
    27.3 %     33.6 %     33.8 %

     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

                   
December 31   2003   2002

Postretirement and postemployment liabilities
  $ 127     $ 127  
A-12 termination
    93       90  
Tax loss carryforwards
    63       33  
Other
    507       385  

 
Deferred assets
  $ 790     $ 635  

Intangible assets
    243       123  
Property basis differences
    128       71  
Commercial pension asset
    118       112  
Capital Construction Fund
    112       131  
Long-term contract costing methods
    102       56  
Lease income
    40       47  
Other
    47       38  

 
Deferred liabilities
  $ 790     $ 578  

Net deferred tax asset
  $     $ 57  

     The current portion of the net deferred tax asset was $333 at December 31, 2003, and $194 at December 31, 2002, and is included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2003, the company had U.S. and foreign operating loss carryforwards of $43, the majority of which begin to expire in 2017. The company had foreign investment tax credit carryforwards of $16 that begin to expire in 2011, and U.S. capital loss carryforwards of $4 that begin to expire in 2009. The company provided a valuation allowance totaling $56 as of December 31, 2003, and $48 as of December 31, 2002, on certain of its deferred tax assets, the recovery of which is uncertain.

     The Capital Construction Fund (CCF) is a program established by the U.S. government and administered by the Maritime Administration. The purpose of the program is to support the acquisition, construction, reconstruction or operation of U.S. flag merchant marine vessels. It provides for the deferral of federal and state income taxes on earnings derived from eligible programs as long as the funds are deposited and used for qualified activities. Unqualified withdrawals are subject to taxation plus interest. The CCF must be collateralized by qualified assets defined by the Maritime Administration. At December 31, 2003, the company had assigned approximately $297 in U.S. government accounts receivable to the CCF.
     Income tax payments were $268 in 2003, $377 in 2002 and $326 in 2001.
     In 2003, the company and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reached agreement with respect to the examination of the company’s income tax returns for 1996 to 1998. With the completion of this audit cycle, all of the
     
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company’s consolidated federal income tax returns have been examined by the IRS through 1998. Based on the results of those examinations, the company reduced its liabilities for tax contingencies, recognizing a non-cash benefit of $49, or $.25 per share. The company settled various other outstanding state tax disputes during the year, resulting in a net non-cash benefit of $19, or $.10 per share.

     During the first quarter of 2001, the company reduced its liabilities for tax contingencies. The company recognized a non-cash benefit of $28, or $.14 per share, as a result of this adjustment.
     The IRS has commenced its examination of the company’s 1999 through 2002 income tax returns. On November 27, 2001, the company filed a refund suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, titled General Dynamics v. United States, for the years 1991 to 1993. The company anticipates that the years 1994 to 1998 will be added to this suit. The suit seeks recovery of refund claims that were disallowed by the IRS at the administrative level. If the court awards a full recovery to the company, the refund could exceed $100 (including after-tax interest). The company expects the litigation to take several years to resolve. The company has recognized no income from this matter.
     The company has recorded liabilities for tax contingencies for open years. The company does not expect the resolution of tax matters for these years to have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

F. CONTRACTS IN PROCESS

Contracts in process represent costs and accrued profit related to defense contracts and programs and consisted of the following:
                         
December 31   2003   2002        

Contract costs and estimated profits
  $ 17,700     $ 15,301          
Other contract costs
    749       711          

 
    18,449       16,012          
Less advances and progress payments
    15,901       14,098          

 
  $ 2,548     $ 1,914          

     Contract costs include production costs and related overhead, such as G&A expenses, as well as contract recoveries for such matters as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs, which totaled $21 as of December 31, 2003, and $29 as of December 31, 2002. The company records revenue associated with these matters as either income or as an offset against a potential loss only when recovery can be reliably estimated and realization is probable. Other contract costs represent amounts required to be recorded under GAAP that are not currently allocable to contracts, such as a portion of the company’s estimated workers’ compensation, other insurance-related assessments, retirement benefits and environmental expenses. These costs will become allocable to contracts when they are paid. The company expects to recover these costs through ongoing business, including both existing backlog and probable follow-on contracts. This business base includes numerous contracts for which the company is the sole source or one of two suppliers on long-term defense programs. If the level of backlog in the future does not support the continued deferral of these costs, the profitability of the company’s remaining contracts could be adversely affected.

G. INVENTORIES

Inventories primarily represent commercial aircraft components and consisted of the following:
                         
December 31   2003   2002        

Work in process
  $ 614     $ 750          
Raw materials
    389       396          
Pre-owned aircraft
    103       230          
Other (a)
    54       29          

 
  $ 1,160     $ 1,405          

(a)   Consists primarily of coal and aggregates.

H. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

The major classes of property, plant and equipment were as follows:
                         
December 31   2003   2002        

Machinery and equipment
  $ 2,303     $ 2,013          
Buildings and improvements
    1,188       1,096          
Land and improvements
    205       192          
Construction in process
    131       91          
Mineral reserves
    76       77          

 
    3,903   (a)   3,469   (a)      
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    1,818       1,613          

 
  $ 2,085     $ 1,856          

(a)   The U.S. government provides certain of the company’s plant facilities; the company does not include these facilities above.

     
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I. DEBT

Debt consisted of the following:
                         
December 31   Maturity Dates   Range of Interest Rates   2003   2002

Fixed-rate notes
 
2006–2015
 
2.125%–5.375%
  $ 3,094     $  
Floating-rate notes
 
2004
 
1.50%
    500       500  
Commercial paper, net of unamortized discount
 
2004
 
1.10%
    183       714  
Senior notes
 
2008
 
6.32%
    150       150  
Term debt
 
2008
 
7.50%
    40       45  
Other
 
Various
 
Various
    76       62  

 
 
 
 
 
    4,043       1,471  
Less current portion
 
 
 
 
    747       750  

 
 
 
 
 
  $ 3,296     $ 721  

     On April 3, 2003, the company filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register $3 billion of debt securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). On May 15, 2003, the company issued $2 billion of fixed-rate notes pursuant to the Registration Statement, consisting of the following:

  $500 aggregate principal amount of 2.125 percent notes maturing in 2006;
  $500 aggregate principal amount of 3.000 percent notes maturing in 2008; and
  $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.250 percent notes maturing in 2013.

     On August 14, 2003, the company extended the debt registered to $3.1 billion and issued an additional $1.1 billion of fixed-rate notes pursuant to the Registration Statement, consisting of the following:

  $700 aggregate principal amount of 4.500 percent notes maturing in 2010; and
  $400 aggregate principal amount of 5.375 percent notes maturing in 2015.

     The proceeds were used to repay a substantial portion of the company’s outstanding commercial paper.

     As of December 31, 2003, the company had outstanding $500 aggregate principal amount of three-year floating-rate notes due September 1, 2004, which are registered under the Securities Act. Interest on the notes resets quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 0.22 percent, and is payable each March, June, September and December. The notes had an average interest rate of 1.50 percent for the year ended December 31, 2003.
     The fixed-rate notes and the floating-rate notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the company’s 100-percent-owned subsidiaries. The notes are redeemable at the company’s option in whole or in part at any time prior to their maturity at 100 percent of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus any accrued but unpaid interest on the date the notes are redeemed and any applicable make-whole amounts. See Note S for condensed consolidating financial statements.
     As of December 31, 2003, the company had $183 of commercial paper outstanding at an average yield of approximately 1.1 percent with an average maturity of approximately 10 days. The company has $2 billion in bank credit facilities that serve as back-up liquidity facilities to the commercial paper program. These credit facilities consist of a $1 billion 364-day facility expiring in July 2004, with provision to extend for one year at the company’s option when drawn, and a $1 billion multiyear facility expiring in July 2006. The company’s commercial paper issuances and the bank credit facilities are guaranteed by certain of the company’s 100-percent-owned subsidiaries. Additionally, certain international subsidiaries have available local bank credit facilities of approximately $200.
     The senior notes are privately placed U.S. dollar-denominated notes issued by one of the company’s Canadian subsidiaries. Interest is payable semi-annually at an annual rate of 6.32 percent, until maturity in September 2008. The subsidiary has a currency swap, which fixes its foreign currency variability on both the principal and interest components of these notes. As of December 31, 2003, the fair value of this currency swap was an $18 liability. The senior notes are backed by a parent company guarantee.
     The company assumed the term debt in connection with its acquisition of Primex Technologies, Inc. Sinking fund payments of $5 are required in December of each of the years 2004 through 2007, with the remaining
     
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$20 payable in December 2008. Interest is payable in June and December at the rate of 7.5 percent annually.

     As of December 31, 2003, other debt consisted primarily of $42 related to various debt facilities assumed in the acquisition of Steyr and a $15 note payable to a Spanish insurance company. Annual principal payments on the note payable are $13 in 2004 and $1 in 2005, with the balance due in 2006. Interest is payable each December at a rate of 3.85 percent annually. The debt associated with the acquisition of Steyr is scheduled to be extinguished during the first half of 2004.
     Certain of the company’s financing arrangements contain a number of customary covenants and restrictions, including a minimum net worth threshold. The company was in compliance with all material covenants as of December 31, 2003.

J. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
                 
December 31   2003   2002

Billings in excess of costs and estimated profits
  $ 792     $ 516  
Workers’ compensation
    548       509  
Customer deposits on commercial contracts
    465       384  
Salaries and wages
    371       222  
Retirement benefits
    306       274  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
    70       125  
Other (a)
    1,000       746  

 
  $ 3,552     $ 2,776  

(a)   Consists primarily of contract-related costs assumed in business acquisitions, dividends payable, environmental remediation reserves and warranty reserves.

K. OTHER LIABILITIES

Other liabilities consisted of the following:
                 
December 31   2003   2002

Deferred U.S. federal income taxes
  $ 351     $ 197  
Retirement benefits
    340       350  
Customer deposits on commercial contracts
    77       87  
Accrued costs of disposed businesses (a)
    63       67  
Other (b)
    519       528  

 
  $ 1,350     $ 1,229  

(a)   Consists primarily of liabilities for postretirement benefits, environmental and legal costs.
(b)   Consists primarily of liabilities for tax contingencies for open years, warranty reserves and workers’ compensation.

L. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Authorized Stock. On May 1, 2002, the company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 300 million shares to 500 million shares of $1 per share par value common stock. Other authorized capital stock of the company consists of 50 million shares of $1 per share par value preferred stock issuable in series, with the rights, preferences and limitations of each series to be determined by the board of directors.
     Dividends per Share. Dividends per share were $1.28 in 2003, $1.20 in 2002 and $1.12 in 2001.
     Shares Issued and Outstanding. The company had 240,940,317 shares of common stock issued as of December 31, 2003 and 2002. The company had 197,966,192 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2003, and 200,993,102 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2002. No shares of the company’s preferred stock were outstanding as of either date.

M. FINANCE OPERATION

The company leases three liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers to an unrelated company. The leases are financed by privately placed bonds, which are secured by the LNG tankers. The bonds are callable under certain conditions and are nonrecourse to the company. Accordingly, the company is not obligated to repay the debt in the event the lessee defaults on the lease payments. Outstanding debt was $3 at December 31, 2003, and $21 at December 31, 2002. The final principal payment of $3 is scheduled to be made in 2004. The weighted average interest rate on the debt is 6.2 percent.
     The leases are classified as direct financing leases and extend through 2009. The components of the company’s net investment in the leases receivable were as follows:
                 
December 31   2003   2002

Aggregate future minimum lease payments
  $ 133     $ 164  
Unguaranteed residual value
    38       38  
Unearned interest income
    (51 )     (64 )

 
  $ 120     $ 138  

     The company is scheduled to receive minimum lease payments of $24 in 2004 and $21 in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

     
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N. FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK MANAGEMENT

The company is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk relating to receipts from customers, payments to suppliers and certain inter-company transactions in foreign currencies.
     The company periodically enters into derivative financial instruments, principally foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts, typically with terms of less than one year. These instruments are designed to hedge the company’s exposure to changes in exchange rates related to both known and anticipated inter-company and third-party sale and purchase commitments made in non-functional currencies. The company also has a currency swap designated as a cash flow hedge that fixes its foreign currency variability on both the principal and interest components of U.S. dollar-denominated debt held by one of the company’s Canadian subsidiaries, as discussed in Note I. There were no derivative financial instruments designated as fair value or net investment hedges during the year ended December 31, 2003. As a matter of policy, the company does not engage in interest rate or currency speculation.
     All derivative financial instruments are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings or in accumulated other comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting, the type of hedge transaction represented and the effectiveness of the hedge.
     For derivative financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, the company marks these forward contracts to market each period and records the gain or loss in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. The gains and losses on these instruments offset gains and losses on the assets, liabilities and other transactions being hedged.
     Gains and losses related to forward exchange contracts that qualify as cash flow hedges and the currency swap are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding asset or liability until the underlying transaction occurs. The gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified to earnings upon completion of the underlying transaction being hedged.
     As of December 31, 2003, the fair value of the currency swap was an $18 liability, which offset the effect of changes in the currency exchange rate on the related debt. The fair value of outstanding forward exchange contracts was not material. Net gains and losses recognized in earnings in 2003 were not material. The company expects the amount of gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to earnings in 2004 will not be material.

O. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

Termination of A-12 Program. In January 1991, the Navy terminated the company’s A-12 aircraft contract for default. The A-12 contract was a fixed-price incentive contract for the full-scale development and initial production of the Navy’s carrier-based Advanced Tactical Aircraft. Both the company and McDonnell Douglas, now owned by The Boeing Company, (the contractors), were parties to the contract with the Navy; each had full responsibility to the Navy for performance under the contract; and both are jointly and severally liable for potential liabilities arising from the termination. As a consequence of the termination for default, the Navy demanded that the contractors repay $1.4 billion in unliquidated progress payments, but agreed to defer collection of the amount pending a decision by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on the contractors’ challenge to the termination for default, or a negotiated settlement.
     On December 19, 1995, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued an order converting the termination for default to a termination for convenience. On March 31, 1998, a final judgment was entered in favor of the contractors for $1.2 billion plus interest.
     On July 1, 1999, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit remanded the case for determination of whether the government’s default termination was justified. On August 31, 2001, following the trial on remand, the Trial Court issued an opinion upholding the default termination of the A-12 contract. In its opinion, the Trial Court rejected all of the government’s arguments to sustain the default termination except for the government’s schedule arguments, as to which the Trial Court held that the schedule the government unilaterally imposed was reasonable and enforceable, and that the government had not waived that schedule. On the sole ground that the contractors were not going to deliver the first aircraft on the date provided in the unilateral schedule, the Trial Court upheld the default termination and entered judgment for the government.
     On November 30, 2001, the company filed its notice of appeal, and on January 9, 2003, the appeal was argued before a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals. On March 17, 2003, the Court of Appeals vacated the Trial Court’s judgment and remanded the case to the Trial Court for further proceedings. The Court of Appeals found that the Trial Court misapplied the controlling legal standard in concluding that the termination for default could be sustained solely on the basis of the contractors’ inability to complete the first flight of the first test aircraft by December 1991. Rather, the Court of Appeals held that in order to uphold a termination for default the Trial Court would have to determine that there was no reasonable likelihood that the contractors could perform the entire contract effort within the time remaining for performance. This is a determination the company does not believe is supported by the
     
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evidence. A government petition for rehearing in the Court of Appeals was denied on August 27, 2003, and the case was again remanded to the Trial Court for further proceedings.

     If, contrary to the company’s expectations, the default termination is ultimately sustained, the contractors could collectively be required to repay the government as much as $1.4 billion for progress payments received for the A-12 contract, plus interest, which was approximately $1.1 billion at December 31, 2003. This would result in a liability for the company of approximately $1.2 billion pretax, $700 after-tax, to be taken as a charge against discontinued operations. The company believes it has sufficient resources to pay such an obligation if required.
     Final Analysis. On May 28, 2003, Final Analysis Communication Systems, Inc. (FACS), a Maryland corporation, served the company with a complaint it filed on January 30, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. On November 18, 2003, FACS filed an amended complaint alleging that the company breached contracts among the company, FACS and FACS’ then-corporate parent, Final Analysis, Inc., a Maryland corporation currently a debtor in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. It also purports to allege various tort claims for fraud, defamation and tortious interference with contractual and business relations. The amended complaint alleges monetary damages in excess of $500, plus punitive damages. On December 3, 2003, the company filed its response to the amended complaint, including a motion to dismiss the purported tort claims. The company believes the outcome of this matter will not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
     Glen Cove. On August 8, 2003, a subsidiary of the company received a grand jury subpoena issued by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York relating to its Glen Cove, New York operations for the period from January 1, 2000, to August 8, 2003. Such operations were acquired by the company in June, 2002. The company conducted an internal investigation of the Glen Cove operations through outside counsel and intends to fully cooperate with the government. As a result of its investigation, management made changes to the Glen Cove operations, and subsequently announced the facility’s closure effective year-end 2004. While the government investigation will continue for some additional period of time, the company believes the outcome of this matter will not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
     Other. Various claims and other legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of business are pending or threatened against the company. While the company cannot predict the outcome of these matters, the company believes any potential liabilities in these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Environmental

The company is subject to and affected by a variety of federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations. The company is directly or indirectly involved in environmental responses at some of its current and former facilities, and at third-party sites not owned by the company but where it has been designated a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) by the Environmental Protection Agency or a state environmental agency. The company is also involved in the investigation, cleanup and remediation of various conditions at current and former company sites where the release of hazardous materials may have occurred. Based on historical experience, the company expects that a significant percentage of the total remediation and compliance costs associated with these facilities will continue to be allowable costs and, therefore, reimbursed by the U.S. government. Based on a site-by-site review and analyses by outside counsel and environmental consultants, the company believes that its liability at any individual site, or in the aggregate, arising from such sites at which there is a known environmental condition, or Superfund or other multi-party sites at which the company is a PRP, is not material to its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Moreover, based on all known facts and analyses, the company does not believe that the range of reasonably possible additional loss beyond what has been recorded would be material to its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Minimum Lease Payments

Total rental expense under operating leases was $113 in 2003, $98 in 2002 and $93 in 2001. Operating leases are primarily for facilities and equipment. Future minimum lease payments due during the next five years are as follows:
         

2004
  $ 112  
2005
    109  
2006
    91  
2007
    71  
2008
    53  
2009 and thereafter
    248  

 
  $ 684  

Other

In the ordinary course of business, the company has entered into letters of credit and other similar arrangements with financial institutions and insurance carriers totaling $921 at December 31, 2003. The company, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, guarantees the payment or performance obligations of its subsidiaries arising under certain of their contracts. The company is aware of no event of default that would require it to satisfy these guarantees.
     
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     As a government contractor, the company is from time to time subject to U.S. government investigations relating to its operations, including claims for fines, penalties and compensatory and treble damages. The company believes, based on current available information, that the outcome of such ongoing government disputes and investigations will not have a material effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

     On June 5, 2001, the company acquired substantially all of the assets of Galaxy Aerospace Company LP. The selling parties may receive additional payments, up to a maximum of approximately $300 through 2006, contingent on the achievement of specific revenue targets.
     As of December 31, 2003, in connection with orders for six Gulfstream G550s and one Gulfstream G200 aircraft in firm contract backlog, the company had offered customers trade-in options, which may or may not be exercised by the customers. If these options are exercised, the company will accept trade-in aircraft (principally Gulfstream aircraft) at a predetermined minimum trade-in price as partial consideration in the new aircraft transaction. Any excess of the trade-in price above the fair market value is treated as a reduction of revenue upon recording of the new aircraft sales transaction. These option commitments last through 2005 and totaled $229 as of December 31, 2003, down from $551 at December 31, 2002. Beyond these commitments, additional aircraft trade-ins are likely to be accepted throughout the year in connection with future orders for new aircraft.
     The company provides product warranties to its customers associated with certain product sales, particularly business aircraft. The company has also offered, on a limited basis, a five-year maintenance program that supplements the standard product warranties on Gulfstream G200, Gulfstream G400 and Gulfstream G550 aircraft models. The company records estimated warranty costs in the period in which the related products are delivered. The warranty liability recorded at each balance sheet date is based on the estimated number of months of warranty coverage remaining for products delivered and the average historical monthly warranty payments, and is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
     The changes in the carrying amount of warranty liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2003, were as follows:
                                         
    December 31, 2002   Warranty Expense   Payments   Adjustments (a)   December 31, 2003

Warranty liabilities
  $ 137     $ 86     $ (60 )   $ 51     $ 214  

(a)   Includes warranty liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions.

P. EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

As of December 31, 2003, the company has various equity compensation plans for employees as well as non-employee members of the board of directors, including:

  The General Dynamics Corporation 1997 Incentive Compensation Plan (Incentive Compensation Plan);
  The General Dynamics United Kingdom Share Save Plan (U.K. Plan);
  The General Dynamics Corporation Non-employee Directors’ 1999 Stock Plan (Directors’ Stock Plan); and
  Various equity compensation plans assumed with the acquisition of Gulfstream in 1999 (Gulfstream Plans).

     Under the Incentive Compensation Plan, awards may be granted to employees in cash, common stock, options to purchase common stock, restricted shares of common stock or any combination of these. Awards of stock options and restricted stock are intended to qualify as deductible, performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Incentive Compensation Plan awards of cash and unrestricted stock are not designed to be deductible by the company under Section 162(m).

     Stock options may be granted either as incentive stock options, intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code, or as options not qualified under the Code. All options are issued with an exercise price at or above 100 percent of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Awards under the Incentive Compensation Plan generally vest over two years, with 50 percent of the options vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining 50 percent vesting on the two-year anniversary of the date of grant.
     A grant of restricted shares pursuant to the Incentive Compensation Plan is a transfer of shares of common stock, for such consideration and subject to such restrictions as the Compensation Committee (or its subcommittee) may determine. Until the end of the applicable period of restriction, the restricted shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated. However, during the period of restriction, the recipient of restricted shares is entitled to vote
     
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the restricted shares and to retain cash dividends paid thereon. Awards of restricted shares may be granted pursuant to a performance formula whereby the number of shares initially granted increases or decreases based on the increase or decrease in the price of the common stock over a performance period.

     On March 3, 2004, the company’s board of directors adopted the General Dynamics Corporation Equity Compensation Plan (the Equity Compensation Plan) and recommended submission to shareholders for their approval at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 5, 2004. The purpose of the Equity Compensation Plan is to provide the company with an effective means of attracting, retaining and motivating officers, key employees and non-employee directors, and to provide them with incentives to enhance the growth and profitability of the company.
     The Equity Compensation Plan is intended to replace, on a prospective basis, the Incentive Compensation Plan and the Directors’ Stock Plan (the prior plans). If the shareholders approve the Equity Compensation Plan, no new grant of awards will be made under the prior plans. Any awards previously granted under the prior plans will remain outstanding thereunder and will, among other things, continue to vest and become exercisable in accordance with their original terms and conditions. In the event the Equity Compensation Plan does not receive shareholder approval prior to March 3, 2005, the Equity Compensation Plan will terminate, no grant of awards will be made or exist thereunder and the prior plans will continue in effect.
     Under the U.K. Plan, employees of General Dynamics U.K. Ltd. may invest designated amounts in a savings account to be used to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock, based on option grants that the employee may receive, at an exercise price of not less than 80 percent of the fair market value of the common stock. The options may be exercised three, five or seven years after the date of grant.
     Options granted under the Gulfstream Plans prior to the company’s acquisition of Gulfstream were subject to different vesting periods based on the terms of the plans. At the time of the acquisition, substantially all of the outstanding Gulfstream options became fully vested. No additional awards or grants may be made under the Gulfstream Plans.
     Under the Directors’ Stock Plan, the company may also grant awards of cash, common stock, options to purchase common stock, restricted shares of common stock or any combination of these to any member of the company’s board of directors who is not an employee of the company.
     There were 1,338,461 shares of restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2003. Information with respect to restricted stock awards follows:
                         
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

Number of shares awarded
    408,064       375,043       340,888  
Weighted average grant price
  $ 58.54     $ 88.23     $ 71.39  

     At December 31, 2003, in addition to the shares reserved for issuance on the exercise of options outstanding, 3,609,413 shares have been authorized for options and restricted stock that may be granted in the future. Information with respect to stock options follows:

                                 
            Weighted-Average           Weighted-Average
    Shares Under Option   Exercise Prices   Shares Exercisable   Exercise Prices

Outstanding at December 31, 2000
    6,573,599     $ 44.57       3,023,399     $ 42.45  
Granted
    2,418,080       72.18                  
Exercised
    (1,766,787 )     42.61                  
Canceled
    (158,779 )     53.29                  

Outstanding at December 31, 2001
    7,066,113       54.31       3,237,568       46.02  
Granted
    2,254,000       93.89                  
Exercised
    (1,505,046 )     43.56                  
Canceled
    (152,542 )     72.13                  

Outstanding at December 31, 2002
    7,662,525       67.64       4,119,791       52.87  
Granted
    3,591,482       57.17                  
Exercised
    (1,475,604 )     50.49                  
Canceled
    (109,784 )     66.14                  

Outstanding at December 31, 2003
    9,668,619     $ 66.35       4,679,212     $ 66.17  

     
46   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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     Information with respect to stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2003, is as follows:

                                         
    Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable
   
 
    Number Outstanding at   Weighted-Average   Weighted-Average   Number Exercisable at   Weighted-Average
Range of Exercise Prices   12/31/03   Remaining Contractual Life   Exercise Price   12/31/03   Exercise Price

$4.10
    17,375       0.85     $ 4.10       17,375     $ 4.10  
42.72-56.81
    1,575,113       1.30       43.32       1,486,592       43.19  
56.85-63.03
    3,779,895       3.84       57.14       323,711       59.08  
63.41-73.59
    1,735,758       2.13       70.70       1,666,845       70.75  
76.02-104.48
    2,560,478       3.05       91.59       1,184,689       91.44  

 
    9,668,619                       4,679,212          

Q. RETIREMENT PLANS

The company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits to certain eligible employees. The following is a reconciliation of the benefit obligations, plan/trust assets and funded status of the company’s plans:
                                 
    Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits
   
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002

Change in Benefit Obligation
                               
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ (5,599 )   $ (5,162 )   $ (1,163 )   $ (984 )
Service cost
    (178 )     (157 )     (15 )     (13 )
Interest cost
    (384 )     (366 )     (78 )     (69 )
Amendments
    38       (25 )     80       (5 )
Actuarial loss
    (593 )     (177 )     (88 )     (173 )
Acquisitions/other
    (105 )     (5 )     (18 )     7  
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
    (23 )     1              
Benefits paid
    286       292       82       74  

Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ (6,558 )   $ (5,599 )   $ (1,200 )   $ (1,163 )

Change in Plan/Trust Assets
                               
Fair value of assets at beginning of year
  $ 5,329     $ 6,107     $ 295     $ 324  
Actual return on plan/trust assets
    1,152       (486 )     55       (16 )
Acquisitions
    107       3       2        
Employer contributions
    61       15       43       32  
Curtailment/settlement/other
    (8 )     (17 )            
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
    23       (1 )            
Benefits paid
    (286 )     (292 )     (51 )     (45 )

Fair value of assets at end of year
  $ 6,378     $ 5,329     $ 344     $ 295  

Funded Status Reconciliation
                               
Funded status
  $ (180 )   $ (270 )   $ (856 )   $ (868 )
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
    496       525       299       247  
Unrecognized prior service cost
    160       232       (34 )     49  
Unrecognized transition obligation
                12       23  

Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost
  $ 476     $ 487     $ (579 )   $ (549 )

     The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $5,821 at December 31, 2003, and $4,919 at December 31, 2002. The accumulated benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee services rendered to date excluding assumptions about future compensation levels.

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   47


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     Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs consisted of the following:

                                                 
    Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits
   
 
    2003   2002   2001   2003   2002   2001

Service cost
  $ 178     $ 157     $ 130     $ 15     $ 13     $ 11  
Interest cost
    384       366       338       77       69       62  
Expected return on plan assets
    (522 )     (520 )     (486 )     (26 )     (26 )     (25 )
Recognized net actuarial gain
    (4 )     (25 )     (41 )     7       (2 )     (3 )
Amortization of unrecognized transition (asset) obligation
          (2 )     (7 )     11       11       11  
Amortization of prior service cost
    35       36       33       2       3       (1 )

Net periodic cost (income)
  $ 71     $ 12     $ (33 )   $ 86     $ 68     $ 55  

     The following table presents the assumptions used to determine the company’s benefit obligations and net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs.

                                                 
    Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits
   
 
Assumptions at December 31   2003   2002   2001   2003   2002   2001

Weighted average used to determine benefit obligations
                                               
Discount rate
    6.25 %     7.00 %     7.25 %     6.25 %     7.00 %     7.25 %
Varying rates of increase in compensation levels based on age
    4.00-11.00 %     4.00-11.00 %     4.00-11.00 %                        
 
Weighted average used to determine net cost for the year ended
                                               
Discount rate
    7.00 %     7.25 %     7.50 %     7.00 %     7.25 %     7.50 %
Expected weighted average long-term rate of return on assets
    8.26 %     8.34 %     8.16 %     8.00 %     8.00 %     8.00 %
Varying rates of increase in compensation levels based on age
    4.00-11.00 %     4.00-11.00 %     4.00-11.00 %                        
Assumed health care cost trend rate for next year:
                                               
    Post-65 claim groups
                            10.75 %     11.75 %     4.75 %
    Pre-65 claim groups
                            10.75 %     11.75 %     4.75 %

     The company relies on historical long-term rates of return by asset class, the current long-term U.S. Treasury bond rate, and the current and expected asset allocation strategy to determine its expected long-term rate of return assumptions.

     Pension Benefits. As of December 31, 2003, the company had eight noncontributory and five contributory trusteed, qualified defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of its government business employees, and two noncontributory plans covering substantially all of its commercial business employees. Under certain plans, benefits are a function primarily of both the employee’s years of service and level of compensation; under other plans, benefits are a function primarily of years of service.
     It is the company’s policy to fund the plans to the maximum extent deductible under existing federal income tax regulations. Such contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for benefits to be earned in the future. The company expects to contribute approximately $30 to its pension plans in 2004.
     The company’s pension investment policy endeavors to strike the appropriate balance among capital preservation, asset growth and current income. Target allocation percentages vary over time depending on the perceived risk of various asset classes and existing market conditions. The company invests almost exclusively in U.S. publicly traded securities and may use derivative instruments on a non-leveraged basis to gain exposure to an asset class or to reduce anticipated asset volatility.
     The pension plans’ weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2003 and 2002, by asset category, are as follows:
                         
December 31   2003   2002        

U.S. common stocks
    61 %     53 %        
U.S. common stocks with risk-mitigating hedges
    35 %     13 %        
Fixed income
    4 %     34 %        

 
    100 %     100 %        

     
48   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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     The company amortizes changes in prior service cost resulting from plan amendments on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.

     The company uses a December 31 measurement date for its plans.
     The company’s contractual arrangements with the U.S. government provide for the recovery of contributions to the company’s government plans. The amount contributed to certain plans, charged to contracts and included in net sales has exceeded the net periodic pension cost as determined under SFAS No. 87. The company has deferred recognition of earnings resulting from this difference to provide a better matching of revenues and expenses. Similarly, pension settlements and curtailments under the government plans have also been deferred. These deferrals have been classified against the prepaid pension cost related to these plans.
     The company’s commercial plans’ net prepaid pension cost of $336 and $321 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, is included in other noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
     In addition to the qualified defined benefit plans, the company provides eligible employees the opportunity to participate in defined contribution savings plans, which permit contributions on both a pretax and after-tax basis. Generally, salaried employees and certain hourly employees are eligible to participate upon commencement of employment with the company. Under most plans, the employee may contribute to various investment alternatives, including investment in the company’s common stock. In certain plans, the company matches a portion of the employees’ contributions with contributions to a fund that invests in the company’s common stock. The company’s contributions to the defined contribution plans totaled $79 in 2003, $80 in 2002 and $64 in 2001. Approximately 17 and 15 million shares of the company’s common stock were held by the defined contribution plans at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
     The company also sponsors several unfunded non-qualified supplemental executive plans, which provide participants with additional benefits, including excess benefits over limits imposed on qualified plans by federal law. The recorded liability and expense related to these plans are not material to the company’s results of operations or financial condition.

     Other Postretirement Benefits. The company maintains plans providing postretirement health care coverage for many of its current and former employees and postretirement life insurance benefits for certain retirees. These benefits vary by employment status, age, service and salary level at retirement. The coverage provided and the extent to which the retirees share in the cost of the program vary throughout the company. Both health and life insurance benefits are provided only to those employees who retire directly from the service of the company and not to those who terminate service/seniority prior to eligibility for retirement.

     The company maintains several Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trusts for certain plans. It is the company’s policy to fund the VEBAs in accordance with existing federal income tax regulations. At December 31, 2003, the majority of the VEBA trusts’ assets were invested in diversified U.S. common stocks with risk-mitigating hedges, U.S. fixed income securities and bank notes. For non-funded plans, claims are paid as received. The company expects to contribute approximately $44 to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2004.
     The company’s contractual arrangements with the U.S. government provide for the recovery of contributions to a VEBA and, for non-funded plans, recovery of claims paid. The net periodic postretirement benefit cost exceeds the company’s cost currently allocable to contracts. To the extent recovery of the cost is considered probable based on the company’s backlog, the company defers the excess in contracts in process until such time that the cost is allocable to contracts.
     Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. The health care cost trend rates are assumed to decline gradually to 4.75 percent for post-65 and pre-65 claim groups in the year 2009 and thereafter over the projected payout period of the benefits. The effect of a one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate on the total service and interest cost is $5 and $(5), respectively, and the effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is $82 and $(70), respectively.
     On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) was signed into law. The Act introduced a Medicare prescription-drug benefit and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care plans. The FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003,” in January 2004. FSP 106-1 permits a sponsor of a postretirement health care plan to make a one-time election to defer accounting for the effects of the Act until final authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy is issued. As such, the company has elected to defer recognition of the effects of the Act. Depending on the transition provisions provided in the final guidance, the company may be required to change previously reported information upon adoption of the new standard. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic postretirement benefit costs disclosed above do not reflect the effects of the Act.
     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   49


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R. BUSINESS GROUP INFORMATION

The company operates in four primary business groups: Information Systems and Technology, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Aerospace. The company organizes and measures its business groups in accordance with the nature of products and services offered. These business groups derive their revenues from mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation, respectively. The company also owns certain commercial operations that are identified for reporting purposes as Resources. The company measures each group’s profit based on operating earnings. As a result, net interest, other income and expense items and income taxes have not been allocated to the company’s business groups.
     Summary financial information for each of the company’s business groups follows:
                                                                         
    Net Sales   Operating Earnings   Sales to U.S. Government
   
 
 
    2003   2002   2001   2003   2002   2001   2003   2002   2001

Information Systems and Technology
  $ 4,978     $ 3,681     $ 2,691     $ 538     $ 436     $ 261     $ 3,982     $ 2,801     $ 1,991  
Combat Systems
    4,166       2,923       2,210       463       323       238       2,921       2,321       1,785  
Marine Systems
    4,271       3,650       3,612       216       287       310       3,966       3,435       3,403  
Aerospace
    2,946       3,289       3,265       218       447       625       158       249       140  
Resources (a)
    256       286       276       32       89       52                    

 
  $ 16,617     $ 13,829     $ 12,054     $ 1,467     $ 1,582     $ 1,486     $ 11,027     $ 8,806     $ 7,319  

                                                                         
    Identifiable Assets   Capital Expenditures   Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
   
 
 
    2003   2002   2001   2003   2002   2001   2003   2002   2001

Information Systems and Technology
  $ 5,800     $ 3,613     $ 3,374     $ 52     $ 81     $ 54     $ 75     $ 51     $ 87  
Combat Systems
    4,682       2,439       2,118       94       49       43       80       43       56  
Marine Systems
    2,171       1,933       1,731       38       81       119       61       60       55  
Aerospace
    2,592       2,505       2,360       17       32       28       38       36       44  
Resources (a)
    165       293       313       18       15       20       17       16       16  
Corporate (b)
    773       948       1,173       5       6       92       6       7       6  

 
  $ 16,183     $ 11,731     $ 11,069     $ 224     $ 264     $ 356     $ 277     $ 213     $ 264  

(a)   Resources includes the results of the company’s coal and aggregates operations, as well as a portion of the operating results of the company’s commercial pension plans.
(b)   Corporate identifiable assets include cash and equivalents from domestic operations, deferred taxes, real estate held for development and a portion of the net prepaid pension cost related to the company’s commercial pension plans.

     The following table presents revenues by geographic area (based on the location of the company’s customers):

                           
Year Ended December 31   2003   2002   2001

North America:
                       
 
United States
  $ 14,036     $ 12,041     $ 10,757  
 
Canada
    151       104       115  
 
Other
    151       85       29  

Total North America
    14,338       12,230       10,901  
 
                       
Europe
    1,405       1,199       555  
Africa/Middle East
    324       202       426  
Asia/Pacific
    442       144       153  
South America
    108       54       19  

 
  $ 16,617     $ 13,829     $ 12,054  

     
50   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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S. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fixed-rate notes and the floating-rate notes described in Note I are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, joint and several basis by certain 100-percent-owned subsidiaries of General Dynamics Corporation (the Guarantors). The following condensed consolidating financial statements illustrate the composition of the parent, the Guarantors on a combined basis (each Guarantor together with its majority-owned subsidiaries) and all other subsidiaries on a combined basis as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, for the balance sheet, as well as the statements of earnings and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

                                         
            Guarantors on a   Other Subsidiaries   Consolidating   Total
Year Ended December 31, 2003   Parent   Combined Basis   on a Combined Basis   Adjustments   Consolidated

Net Sales
  $     $ 13,652     $ 2,965     $     $ 16,617  
Cost of sales
    (6 )     11,621       2,444             14,059  
General and administrative expenses
          883       208             1,091  

Operating Earnings
    6       1,148       313             1,467  
Interest expense
    (88 )     (3 )     (17 )           (108 )
Interest income
          1       9             10  
Other income, net
    (4 )           7             3  

Earnings from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
    (86 )     1,146       312             1,372  
Provision for income taxes
    (47 )     359       63             375  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
          7                   7  
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
    1,043                   (1,043 )      

Net Earnings
  $ 1,004     $ 794     $ 249     $ (1,043 )   $ 1,004  

                                         
            Guarantors on a   Other Subsidiaries   Consolidating   Total
Year Ended December 31, 2002   Parent   Combined Basis   on a Combined Basis   Adjustments   Consolidated

Net Sales
  $     $ 12,187     $ 1,642     $     $ 13,829  
Cost of sales
    (31 )     10,039       1,336             11,344  
General and administrative expenses
          798       105             903  

Operating Earnings
    31       1,350       201             1,582  
Interest expense
    (37 )     (5 )     (16 )           (58 )
Interest income
    2       2       9             13  
Other income, net
    (4 )     37       14             47  

Earnings from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
    (8 )     1,384       208             1,584  
Provision for income taxes
    7       467       59             533  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
          (134 )                 (134 )
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
    932                   (932 )      

Net Earnings
  $ 917     $ 783     $ 149     $ (932 )   $ 917  

                                         
            Guarantors on a   Other Subsidiaries   Consolidating   Total
Year Ended December 31, 2001   Parent   Combined Basis   on a Combined Basis   Adjustments   Consolidated

Net Sales
  $     $ 11,454     $ 600     $     $ 12,054  
Cost of sales
    (24 )     9,285       499             9,760  
General and administrative expenses
          767       41             808  

Operating Earnings
    24       1,402       60             1,486  
Interest expense
    (52 )     (4 )     (12 )           (68 )
Interest income
    4       4       4             12  
Other expense, net
    (34 )     (32 )     61             (5 )

Earnings from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
    (58 )     1,370       113             1,425  
Provision for income taxes
    (40 )     499       23             482  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
                             
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
    961                   (961 )      

Net Earnings
  $ 943     $ 871     $ 90     $ (961 )   $ 943  

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   51


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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

                                           
              Guarantors on a   Other Subsidiaries   Consolidating   Total
December 31, 2003   Parent   Combined Basis   on a Combined Basis   Adjustments   Consolidated

ASSETS
                                       
Current Assets:
                                       
Cash and equivalents
  $ 179     $     $ 681     $     $ 860  
Accounts receivable
    3       1,013       362             1,378  
Contracts in process
    46       2,069       433             2,548  
Inventories
                                       
 
Work in process
          606       8             614  
 
Raw materials
          365       24             389  
 
Pre-owned aircraft
          103                   103  
 
Other
          43       11             54  
Assets of discontinued operations
          29                   29  
Other current assets
    124       161       134             419  

Total Current Assets
    352       4,389       1,653             6,394  

Noncurrent Assets:
                                       
Property, plant and equipment
    150       3,188       565             3,903  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion & amortization of PP&E
    (30 )     (1,593 )     (195 )           (1,818 )
Intangible assets and goodwill
          5,527       2,063             7,590  
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets
          (430 )     (47 )           (477 )
Other assets
    (28 )     517       102             591  
Investment in subsidiaries
    13,672                   (13,672 )      

Total Noncurrent Assets
    13,764       7,209       2,488       (13,672 )     9,789  

 
  $ 14,116     $ 11,598     $ 4,141     $ (13,672 )   $ 16,183  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                       
Current Liabilities:
                                       
Short-term debt
  $ 683     $ 6     $ 58     $     $ 747  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
          70                   70  
Other current liabilities
    203       3,301       1,295             4,799  

Total Current Liabilities
    886       3,377       1,353             5,616  

Noncurrent Liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
    3,094       44       158             3,296  
Other liabilities
    364       846       140             1,350  

Total Noncurrent Liabilities
    3,458       890       298             4,646  

Shareholders’ Equity:
                                       
Common stock, including surplus
    838       5,315       2,268       (7,583 )     838  
Other shareholders’ equity
    8,934       2,016       222       (6,089 )     5,083  

Total Shareholders’ Equity
    9,772       7,331       2,490       (13,672 )     5,921  

 
  $ 14,116     $ 11,598     $ 4,141     $ (13,672 )   $ 16,183  

     
52   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

                                           
              Guarantors on a   Other Subsidiaries   Consolidating   Total
December 31, 2002   Parent   Combined Basis   on a Combined Basis   Adjustments   Consolidated

ASSETS
                                       
Current Assets:
                                       
Cash and equivalents
  $ 55     $     $ 273     $     $ 328  
Accounts receivable
          867       207             1,074  
Contracts in process
    19       1,653       242             1,914  
Inventories
                                       
 
Work in process
          745       5             750  
 
Raw materials
          391       5             396  
 
Pre-owned aircraft
          230                   230  
 
Other
          28       1             29  
Assets of discontinued operations
          69                   69  
Other current assets
    122       139       47             308  

Total Current Assets
    196       4,122       780             5,098  

Noncurrent Assets:
                                       
Property, plant and equipment
    145       2,928       396             3,469  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion & amortization of PP&E     (24 )     (1,432 )     (157 )           (1,613 )
Intangible assets and goodwill
          3,473       1,004             4,477  
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets           (377 )     (30 )           (407 )
Other assets
    263       214       230             707  
Investment in subsidiaries
    10,020                   (10,020 )      

Total Noncurrent Assets
    10,404       4,806       1,443       (10,020 )     6,633  

 
  $ 10,600     $ 8,928     $ 2,223     $ (10,020 )   $ 11,731  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                       
Current Liabilities:
                                       
Short-term debt
  $ 714     $ 6     $ 30     $     $ 750  
Liabilities of discontinued operations
          125                   125  
Other current liabilities
    83       2,836       788             3,707  

Total Current Liabilities
    797       2,967       818             4,582  

Noncurrent Liabilities:
                                       
Long-term debt
    500       65       156             721  
Other liabilities
    362       738       129             1,229  

Total Noncurrent Liabilities
    862       803       285             1,950  

Shareholders’ Equity:
                                       
Common stock, including surplus
    757       3,746       1,120       (4,866 )     757  
Other shareholders’ equity
    8,184       1,412             (5,154 )     4,442  

Total Shareholders’ Equity
    8,941       5,158       1,120       (10,020 )     5,199  

 
  $ 10,600     $ 8,928     $ 2,223     $ (10,020 )   $ 11,731  

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   53


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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

                                         
            Guarantors on a   Other Subsidiaries   Consolidating   Total
Year Ended December 31 , 2003   Parent   Combined Basis   on a Combined Basis   Adjustments   Consolidated

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities From Continuing Operations
  $ (211 )   $ 1,648     $ 295     $     $ 1,732  
Net Cash Used by Discontinued Operations
          (9 )                 (9 )

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    (211 )     1,639       295             1,723  

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
                                       
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (2,676 )     (368 )                 (3,044 )
Capital expenditures
    (5 )     (158 )     (61 )           (224 )
Other, net
          12       24             36  

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
    (2,681 )     (514 )     (37 )           (3,232 )

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
                                       
Issuance of fixed-rate notes
    3,094                         3,094  
Net repayments of commercial paper
    (529 )                       (529 )
Purchases of common stock
    (300 )                       (300 )
Dividends paid
    (249 )                       (249 )
Other, net
    57       2       (34 )           25  

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
    2,073       2       (34 )           2,041  

Cash sweep by parent
    943       (1,127 )     184              

Net Increase in Cash and Equivalents
    124             408             532  
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Year
    55             273             328  

Cash and Equivalents at End of Year
  $ 179     $     $ 681     $     $ 860  

 
Year Ended December 31, 2002
                                       

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities From Continuing Operations
  $ (46 )   $ 1,031     $ 141     $     $ 1,126  
Net Cash Used by Discontinued Operations
          (1 )                 (1 )

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    (46 )     1,030       141             1,125  

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
                                       
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (2 )     (268 )     (5 )           (275 )
Capital expenditures
    (6 )     (205 )     (53 )           (264 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    15       108       10             133  
Other, net
    (5 )     11                   6  

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
    2       (354 )     (48 )           (400 )

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
                                       
Net repayments of commercial paper
    (451 )                       (451 )
Net repayments of other debt
    (5 )     (58 )     (35 )           (98 )
Dividends paid
    (236 )                       (236 )
Other, net
    (90 )           39             (51 )

Net Cash Used by Financing Activities
    (782 )     (58 )     4             (836 )

Cash sweep by parent
    707       (618 )     (89 )            

Net Decrease in Cash and Equivalents
    (119 )           8             (111 )
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Year
    174             265             439  

Cash and Equivalents at End of Year
  $ 55     $     $ 273     $     $ 328  

 
Year Ended December 31, 2001
                                       

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities From Continuing
  Operations
  $ 86     $ 810     $ 203     $     $ 1,099  
Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations
          2                   2  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    86       812       203             1,101  

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
                                       
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (1,162 )     (374 )     85             (1,451 )
Capital expenditures
    (92 )     (244 )     (20 )           (356 )
Other, net
    (19 )     54       26             61  

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
    (1,273 )     (564 )     91             (1,746 )

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
                                       
Net proceeds from commercial paper issuances
    825                         825  
Net proceeds from floating-rate notes
    500                         500  
Net repayments of other debt
    (149 )     (5 )     1             (153 )
Dividends paid
    (219 )                       (219 )
Other, net
    (72 )     14       13             (45 )

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
    885       9       14             908  

Cash sweep by parent
    323       (257 )     (66 )            

Net Increase in Cash and Equivalents
    21             242             263  
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Year
    153             23             176  

Cash and Equivalents at End of Year
  $ 174     $     $ 265     $     $ 439  

     
54   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

To the Shareholders of General Dynamics Corporation:

The management of General Dynamics Corporation is responsible for the consolidated financial statements and all related financial information contained in this report. The financial statements, which include amounts based on estimates and judgments, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis.

     The company maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed and intended to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, that transactions are executed and recorded in accordance with management’s authorization and that accountability for assets is maintained. An environment that establishes an appropriate level of control consciousness is maintained and monitored by management. An important element of the monitoring process is an internal audit program that independently assesses the effectiveness of the control environment.
     The Audit Committee of the board of directors, which is composed of five outside directors, meets periodically and, when appropriate, separately with the independent auditors, management and internal audit to review the activities of each.
     The financial statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors, whose report follows.
     
-s- Michel J. Mancuso   -s- John W. Schwartz
Michael J. Mancuso   John W. Schwartz
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   Vice President and Controller

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

To General Dynamics Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets of General Dynamics Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Shareholders’ Equity and Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of General Dynamics Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
     Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The condensed consolidating financial statements provided in Note S are presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and are not part of the basic financial statements. These condensed consolidating financial statements have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly state in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
     As discussed in Note B to the consolidated financial statements, General Dynamics Corporation changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets effective January 1, 2002, to adopt the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

   
  (KPMG LLP)

KPMG LLP

McLean, Virginia
January 20, 2004

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   55


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SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Unaudited)

                                                                   
      2003   2002
     
 
      4Q   3Q   2Q   1Q   4Q   3Q   2Q   1Q

Net sales
  $ 4,834     $ 4,427     $ 3,935     $ 3,421     $ 3,937     $ 3,284     $ 3,506     $ 3,102  
Operating earnings
    414       357       378       318       366       424       423       369  
Net earnings from continuing operations
    279       255       242       221       269       278       272       232  
Net earnings from discontinued operations
          7                   (112 )     (10 )     (9 )     (3 )

Net earnings
    279       262       242       221       157       268       263       229  

Earnings per share:
                                                               
Basic (a):
                                                               
 
Continuing operations
  $ 1.41     $ 1.29     $ 1.23     $ 1.11     $ 1.34     $ 1.38     $ 1.35     $ 1.15  
 
Discontinued operations
          0.04                   (0.56 )     (0.05 )     (0.05 )     (0.01 )

Net earnings
    1.41       1.33       1.23       1.11       0.78       1.33       1.30       1.14  
 
                                                               
Diluted (a):
                                                               
 
Continuing operations
  $ 1.40     $ 1.28     $ 1.22     $ 1.11     $ 1.33     $ 1.37     $ 1.34     $ 1.14  
 
Discontinued operations
          0.04                   (0.55 )     (0.05 )     (0.05 )     (0.01 )

Net earnings
    1.40       1.32       1.22       1.11       0.78       1.32       1.29       1.13  

Market price range:
                                                               
 
High
  $ 90.80     $ 87.45     $ 77.52     $ 81.80     $ 85.40     $ 108.80     $ 111.18     $ 96.80  
 
Low
    77.94       72.20       52.20       50.00       74.08       73.25       91.01       75.00  

Dividends declared
  $ 0.32     $ 0.32     $ 0.32     $ 0.32     $ 0.30     $ 0.30     $ 0.30     $ 0.30  

Quarterly data is based on a 13-week period.
(a)   The sum of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the four quarters of the year may differ from the annual basic and diluted earnings per share due to the required method of computing the weighted average number of shares in interim periods.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2003. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2003, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
     There were no significant changes in the company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2003, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

     
56   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required to be set forth herein, except for the information included under Executive Officers of the Registrant and Code of Ethics, is included in the sections entitled “Election of the Board of Directors of the Company,” “Audit Committee Report” and “Other Information — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2004 annual shareholders meeting (the Proxy Statement), including Appendix A thereto, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Officers of the Registrant
All executive officers of the company are elected annually. No executive officer of the company was selected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between the officer and any other person. The name, age, offices and positions held for the last five years of the company’s executive officers as of March 5, 2004, were as follows:
         
Name, Position and Office
 
Age
John P. Casey — Vice President of the company and President of Electric Boat Corporation since October 2003; Vice President of Electric Boat Corporation, October 1996 — October 2003
 
49

 
Nicholas D. Chabraja — Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company and Chief Executive Officer since June 1997
 
61

 
Gerard J. DeMuro — Executive Vice President and Group Executive, Information Systems and Technology, since October 2003; Vice President of the company, February 2000 — October 2003; President of General Dynamics C4 Systems, August 2001 — October 2003; President of General Dynamics Communications Systems, September 1999 — August 2001; Vice President and General Manager, GTE Government Systems Communication Systems Division, October 1997 — September 1999
 
48

 
Mark A. Fried — Vice President of the company since October 2001; President of General Dynamics C4 Systems since November 2003; President of General Dynamics Decision Systems, October 2001 — November 2003; Vice President and General Manager of the Integrated Information Systems Group of Motorola, Inc., January 1997 — October 2001
 
57

 
Charles M. Hall — Vice President of the company and President of General Dynamics Land Systems since September 1999; Vice President, Production and Delivery, General Dynamics Land Systems, March 1997 — September 1999
 
52

 
David K. Heebner — Senior Vice President, Planning and Development, since October 2002; Vice President, Strategic Planning, January 2000 — October 2002; Lieutenant General and Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, July 1997 — November 1999
 
59

 
Michael J. Mancuso — Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 1997
 
61

 
Bryan T. Moss — Executive Vice President and Group Executive, Aerospace, since December 2003; President of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation since April 2003; Vice President of the company, May 2002 — December 2003; Vice Chairman and Director of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, March 1995 — April 2003
 
64

 
Walter M. Oliver — Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, since March 2002; Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, January 2001 — March 2002; Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Ameritech Corp., April 1994 — December 2000
 
58

 
David A. Savner — Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since May 1999; Senior Vice President, Law, and Secretary, April 1998 — May 1999
 
59

 
John W. Schwartz — Vice President and Controller since March 1998
 
47

 
John F. Stewart — Vice President of the company since February 2000; President of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems since August 2001; President of General Dynamics Electronics Systems, September 1999 — August 2001; Vice President and General Manager, GTE Government Systems Electronic Systems Division, November 1997 — September 1999
 
63

 
Michael W. Toner — Executive Vice President and Group Executive, Marine Systems, since March 2003; Vice President of the company and President of Electric Boat Corporation, January 2000 — March 2003; Senior Vice President of Electric Boat Corporation, June 1998 — January 2000
 
60

 
Arthur J. Veitch — Executive Vice President and Group Executive, Combat Systems, since March 2002; Senior Vice President and Group Executive, Combat Systems, September 1999 — March 2002; Vice President of the company and President of General Dynamics Land Systems, February 1997 — September 1999
 
58

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   57


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Code of Ethics
The company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals that applies to the company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, controller and any person performing similar functions for the company. The company has also adopted a Code of Conduct for members of the Board of Directors and a handbook of Standards of Business Ethics and Conduct that is applicable to all employees of the company. Copies of the foregoing, as well as the company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and charters for each of the standing committees of the Board of Directors (including the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Compensation Committees) are available on the company’s website (http://www.generaldynamics.com), and are also available in print to any shareholder upon request by calling investor relations at (703) 876-3000. The company intends to disclose on its website any amendments to, or waivers from, its Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct or Standards of Business Ethics and Conduct on behalf of any financial professional, director or executive officer of the company. The information contained on or connected to the company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with the SEC.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required to be set forth herein is included in the section entitled “Executive Compensation” in the company’s Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required to be set forth herein is included in the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Management” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” in the company’s Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.
     The information required to be set forth herein with respect to securities authorized for issuance under the company’s equity compensation plans is included in the section entitled “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the company’s Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required to be set forth herein is included in the section entitled “Election of the Board of Directors of the Company — Transactions Involving Directors and the Company” in the company’s Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required to be set forth herein is included in the section entitled “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” in the company’s Proxy Statement, including Appendix B thereto, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) 1.   Consolidated Financial Statements

    Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (A to S)

     2.   Financial Statement Schedules

    No schedules are submitted because they are either not applicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.

     3.   Exhibits

    See Index on pages 60 through 63 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

    On October 21, 2003, the company furnished a Form 8-K under Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure, announcing that anticipated 2003 revenues were updated to approximately $16.1 billion during the company’s October 15, 2003, webcast teleconference.

    On October 15, 2003, the company furnished a Form 8-K under Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure, and Item 12, Results of Operations and Financial Condition, announcing the company’s financial results for the quarter ended September 28, 2003.

     
58   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
    GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
         
    By:   /s/ John W. Schwartz
       
        John W. Schwartz
        Vice President and Controller

March 5, 2004

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below on March 5, 2004, by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated, including a majority of the directors.

     
/s/ Nicholas D. Chabraja
Nicholas D. Chabraja
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/ Michael J. Mancuso
Michael J. Mancuso
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
     
/s/ John W. Schwartz
John W. Schwartz
  Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
     
*
James S. Crown   Director
     
*
Lester Crown   Director
     
*
William P. Fricks   Director
     
*
Charles H. Goodman   Director
     
*
Jay L. Johnson   Director
     
*
George A. Joulwan   Director
     
*
Paul G. Kaminski   Director
     
*
John M. Keane   Director
     
*
Lester L. Lyles   Director
     
*
Carl E. Mundy, Jr.   Director

*By David A. Savner pursuant to a Power of Attorney executed by the directors listed above, which Power of Attorney has been filed as an exhibit hereto and incorporated herein by reference thereto.

  /s/ David A. Savner

David A. Savner
Secretary

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   59


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS — GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-3671

Exhibits listed below, which have been filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and which were filed as noted below, are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this report with the same effect as if filed herewith.

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
3.1   Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2002, filed with the Commission May 15, 2002)
     
3.2   Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s current report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission August 11, 1999)
     
3.3   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the company (as amended effective June 5, 2002) (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2002, filed with the Commission November 12, 2002)
     
4.1   Indenture dated as of August 27, 2001, among the company, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s registration statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-77024), filed with the Commission January 18, 2002)
     
4.2   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 27, 2001, among the company, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s registration statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-77024), filed with the Commission January 18, 2002)
     
4.3   Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 15, 2003, among the company, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s current report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission May 16, 2003)
     
4.4   Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 14, 2003, among the company, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s current report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission August 14, 2003)
     
60   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


Table of Contents


INDEX TO EXHIBITS — GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-3671

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
10.1*   Employment Agreement between the company and Nicholas D. Chabraja dated August 7, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002, filed with the Commission August 14, 2002)
     
10.2*   Employment Agreement between the company and Kenneth C. Dahlberg dated February 13, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Commission March 29, 2002)
     
10.3*   Retirement Benefit Agreement between the company and Michael J. Mancuso dated March 6, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K (No. 001-03671) for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Commission March 18, 1998)
     
10.4*   Retirement Benefit Agreement between the company and David A. Savner dated March 4, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K (No. 001-03671) for the year ended December 31, 1998, filed with the Commission March 18, 1999)
     
10.5*   General Dynamics Equity Compensation Plan**
     
10.6*   Successor Retirement Plan for Directors (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Commission March 29, 2002)
     
10.7*   General Dynamics Corporation Non-employee Directors’ 1999 Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Commission March 24, 2003)
     
10.8*   General Dynamics United Kingdom Share Save Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Commission March 24, 2003)
     
10.9*   General Dynamics Corporation Supplemental Savings and Stock Investment Plan, as amended and restated effective August 1, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form S-8 (No. 333-107901), filed with the Commission August 13, 2003)
     
     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   61


Table of Contents


INDEX TO EXHIBITS — GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-3671

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
10.10*   General Dynamics Corporation Second Amended and Restated 1997 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2002, filed with the Commission November 12, 2002)
     
10.11*   Form of Severance Protection Agreement entered into by substantially all executive officers (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2002, filed with the Commission November 12, 2002)
     
10.12*   General Dynamics Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002, filed with the Commission August 14, 2002)
     
10.13*   Executive Life Insurance Policy provided by Aetna Life Insurance Company (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002, filed with the Commission August 14, 2002)
     
10.14*   Excess Liability Policy provided by CNA Insurance Company (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002, filed with the Commission August 14, 2002)
     
10.15*   Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy provided by Lloyd’s, London (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002, filed with the Commission August 14, 2002)
     
21   Subsidiaries**
     
23   Consent of KPMG LLP**
     
24   Power of Attorney of the Board of Directors**
     
31.1   Certification by CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**
     
31.2   Certification by CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**
     
62   General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report


Table of Contents


INDEX TO EXHIBITS — GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-3671

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
32.1   Certification by CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**
     
32.2   Certification by CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**
     
99.1   2000 Annual Report on Form 11-K for the General Dynamics Corporation Savings and Stock Investment Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Commission June 29, 2001)
     
99.2   2000 Annual Report on Form 11-K for the General Dynamics Corporation Hourly Employees’ Savings and Stock Investment Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Commission June 29, 2001)
     
99.3   2001 Annual Report on Form 11-K for the General Dynamics Corporation Savings and Stock Investment Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Commission June 28, 2002)
     
99.4   2001 Annual Report on Form 11-K for the General Dynamics Corporation Hourly Employees’ Savings and Stock Investment Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Commission June 28, 2002)
     
99.5   2002 Annual Report on Form 11-K for the General Dynamics Corporation Savings and Stock Investment Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Commission June 27, 2003)
     
99.6   2002 Annual Report on Form 11-K for the General Dynamics Corporation Hourly Employees’ Savings and Stock Investment Plan (incorporated herein by reference from the company’s annual report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Commission June 27, 2003)

*   Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(c) of Form 10-K.
**   Filed herewith.

     
General Dynamics 2003 Annual Report   63