General Dynamics LCS Open Architecture Approach

The General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) team has applied its open architecture and open business model approach to provide the U.S. Navy with the most capable, most affordable, best-of-industry, non-proprietary solutions for Independence, the first General Dynamics ship, now under construction in Mobile, Ala., and the second General Dynamics ship, which is expected to be awarded later this year. . General Dynamics' open architecture and open business model approach facilitates capability upgrades and reduces future costs through continual industry competition, resulting in the best solution for the U.S. Navy. This model uses an open architecture technical infrastructure, published interfaces, strict adherence to industry standards, and commercially available products to prevent any contractor from locking a customer into proprietary systems that eliminate competition and limit customer access to alternatives. The General Dynamics team will conduct an open competition to identify the best combat system capabilities, shipboard electronics and software for the third General Dynamics LCS and follow-on ships. To kick off its best-of- industry process, on May 31, 2006, from 8 a.m. to noon (EDT), at the Washington Dulles Marriott at 45020 Aviation Drive in Dulles, Va., the team will share its approach and discuss upcoming opportunities in the next phase of the LCS program for current and potential industry suppliers. The industry day is open to all suppliers in the areas of command and control, communications, sensors, weapons, effectors, sea frame control, displays and electronics.