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, 2010
OR
[ ] | 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 |
IRS Employer Identification No. | |||
2941 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 100, Falls Church, Virginia |
22042-4513 | |||
Address of principal executive offices | Zip code |
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(703) 876-3000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Name of exchange on which registered | |||
Common stock, par value $1 per share | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ü No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No ü
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 ü No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ü No
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 registrants 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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller
reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ü Accelerated Filer Non-Accelerated Filer Smaller Reporting Company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No ü
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $21,219,557,495 as of July 4, 2010
(based on the closing price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange).
372,704,788 shares of the registrants common stock were outstanding on January 30, 2011.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Part III incorporates by reference information from certain portions of the registrants definitive proxy statement for the 2011 annual
meeting of shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.
2 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
(Dollars in millions, unless otherwise noted)
PART I
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
General Dynamics offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; military and commercial shipbuilding; and communications and information technology. Incorporated in Delaware, we employ approximately 90,000 people and have a global presence.
We are dedicated to delivering consistently superior shareholder returns. Shareholder value is created through disciplined program execution, organic growth, margin improvement, efficient cash-flow conversion and prudent capital deployment. To drive growth, we pursue innovative product development and fast currents in our core markets as well as new customers and attractive opportunities in adjacent markets. To enhance margins, we seek to manage overhead costs, incentivize continuous-improvement initiatives and collaborate across our commercial and defense businesses. Our balanced capital deployment approach includes: acquisitions and divestitures, dividends, internal investment and, when appropriate, the repurchase of company shares on the open market.
In creating shareholder value and delivering the highest-quality products and services, we foster a culture centered on ethical behavior and integrity. This culture is evident in how we interact with shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, partners and the communities in which we operate.
Formed in 1952 through the combination of Electric Boat Company, Consolidated Vultee (CONVAIR) and other companies, General Dynamics grew organically and through acquisitions until the early 1990s, when we sold nearly all of our divisions except Electric Boat and Land Systems. Beginning in 1995, we expanded those two core defense businesses by acquiring additional shipyards and combat vehicle-related businesses. In 1997, to reach a new, expanding market, we began acquiring companies with expertise in information technology products and services. In 1999, we purchased Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a business-jet aircraft and aviation support-services company. Since 1995, we have acquired and integrated 57 businesses, including three in 2010.
General Dynamics operates through four business groups: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Information Systems and Technology. For selected financial information regarding each of our business groups, see Note Q to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
AEROSPACE
Our Aerospace group designs, manufactures and outfits a comprehensive family of mid- and large-cabin business-jet aircraft, and provides maintenance, refurbishment, outfitting and aircraft services for a variety of business-jet, narrow-body and wide-body aircraft customers globally. With more than 50 years of experience at the forefront of the business-jet aviation market, the Aerospace group is noted for:
| superior aircraft design, quality, safety and reliability; |
| technologically advanced cockpit and cabin systems and |
| industry-leading product service and support. |
The groups Gulfstream products include eight aircraft across a spectrum of price and performance options. The varying ranges, speeds and cabin dimensions are well-suited to the transportation needs of an increasingly diverse global customer base. The large-cabin models are
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 3
manufactured at Gulfstreams headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, and outfitted at one of the groups U.S. completion facilities. The mid-cabin models are constructed by a key supplier and outfitted by Gulfstream in one of the groups U.S. completion centers.
While the installed base of aircraft is predominately in North America, international customers represent nearly 60 percent of the groups backlog, with growing order interest from emerging markets including the Asia-Pacific region. Private companies and individual customers collectively represent approximately two-thirds of the groups total orders. Gulfstream remains a leading provider of aircraft for government and military service around the world, with aircraft operated by nearly 40 nations. These government aircraft are used for head-of-state/executive transportation and a variety of special-mission applications, including aerial reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, weather research and astronaut training.
To maximize profitability, management has adjusted aircraft production rates, invested in innovative product development and facilities, and enhanced the groups global service network. For example, prior to the recent economic downturn, Gulfstream amassed a multi-year large-cabin backlog by making measured increases in aircraft production that consciously lagged growing international customer demand. This backlog provided Gulfstream increased flexibility when global economic turmoil began to negatively impact the business-jet market in late 2008. In response to this sudden market deterioration, we quickly and aggressively cut 2009 production levels to stabilize the backlog. We also reduced employment, cut overhead costs and introduced a multi-week summer furlough to adjust the groups manufacturing operations. Improved new order activity and lower customer default levels enabled us to maintain large-cabin production in 2010 while modestly increasing mid-cabin production.
The Aerospace group continuously invests in research and development (R&D) over the course of each aircraft models lifecycle to introduce new products and first-to-market enhancements that broaden customer choice, improve aircraft performance and set new standards for customer safety, comfort and in-flight productivity. The two newest aircraft to join the Gulfstream family, the super-mid-size G250 and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-high-speed G650, demonstrate this innovation. The G250, which will replace the G200, offers the largest cabin and the longest range at the fastest speed in its class. The G650 has the longest range, fastest speed, largest cabin and most advanced cockpit in the Gulfstream fleet and defines a completely new segment at the top of the business-jet market. Scheduled to enter service in late 2011 and mid-2012, respectively, both aircraft continue to perform well in flight testing, and they each remain on track for aircraft certification in 2011. Gulfstreams new and upgraded aircraft models are designed to minimize lifecycle costs while maximizing the commonality of parts among the various models.
Current product-enhancement and development efforts include initiatives in advanced avionics, composites, flight-control systems, acoustics, cabin technologies and enhanced vision systems. Recent innovations include the second-generation Enhanced Vision System (EVS II) and the Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD), both of which assist the pilot during low-visibility conditions. EVS II is a specially designed, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera that projects a real-world infrared image on the pilot's head-up display (HUD), while Synthetic Vision provides three-dimensional images of the terrain, runway environment and obstacles on the pilots primary head-down display. These products work in tandem to provide pilots with unparalleled situational awareness regardless of weather, terrain or landing-field conditions.
In November 2010, we announced a $500 seven-year facilities expansion project at Gulfstreams Savannah campus designed to ensure the group is well-positioned to meet future demand for business-jet aircraft and support services. This investment plan includes constructing new facilities, renovating existing infrastructure and expanding the groups R&D center. The new effort follows a recently completed $400 multi-year project in Savannah that established a purpose-built G650 manufacturing facility, increased aircraft-service capacity, improved the groups customer sales and design center and created a state-of-the-art paint facility. This expansion initiative has paid immediate dividends. For example, the new manufacturing facility, designed for lean manufacturing and precision assembly, has successfully produced the five G650 test aircraft that are being used to meet the programs certification testing schedule. Further, the newly expanded service center helped accommodate the significant recovery in customer demand in 2010.
In addition to the increased service capacity in Savannah, Gulfstreams service network continues to evolve to address the demands of the growing international installed base. In 2010, we focused on increasing the groups international parts and materials inventory, adding key personnel in fast-growing markets including Asia and South America, and realigning our existing North American service organization. In the western hemisphere, Gulfstreams product support team continues to deploy a team of technicians in support of urgent customer-service requirements. We have also leveraged our 2008 acquisition of Jet Aviation, a maintenance and repair services provider with aircraft service centers in more than 20 locations worldwide, to provide customers around the world first-in-class service and support 24 hours a day.
Jet Aviation also expanded the Aerospace groups portfolio to include premium aircraft-outfitting operations for airframes produced by other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Jet Aviation performs aircraft completions and refurbishments for business jets and narrow- and wide-body commercial aircraft at locations in Europe and the United States. As a trusted provider of turnkey aircraft management and fixed-base operations (FBO) services to a broad global customer base, Jet Aviation supports the continued growth and diversification of the Aerospace portfolio.
4 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
A market leader in the business-aviation industry, the Aerospace group remains focused on:
| continuously investing in innovative first-to-market technologies and products; |
| providing exemplary and timely service support to customers around the world and |
| driving efficiencies into, and taking cost out of, the aircraft production, outfitting and service processes. |
Revenues for the Aerospace group were 19 percent of our consolidated revenues in 2008 and 16 percent in both 2009 and 2010. Revenues by major products and services were as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||
Aircraft manufacturing and outfitting |
$ | 4,678 | $ | 3,893 | $ 3,869 | |||||||||
Aircraft services |
816 | 1,154 | 1,323 | |||||||||||
Pre-owned aircraft |
18 | 124 | 107 | |||||||||||
Total Aerospace |
$ | 5,512 | $ | 5,171 | $ 5,299 |
COMBAT SYSTEMS
Our Combat Systems group is a global leader in the design, development, production, support and enhancement of tracked and wheeled military vehicles, weapons systems and munitions for the United States and its allies. The groups product lines include:
| wheeled combat and tactical vehicles, |
| main battle tanks and tracked infantry vehicles, |
| munitions and propellant, |
| rockets and gun systems and |
| drivetrain components and aftermarket parts. |
Combat Systems has a strong foundation of programs that deliver core capabilities to customers across the military-vehicle, weapons-system and munitions markets. These long-term production programs enable the group to pursue continuous process and productivity improvements, reduce product costs and improve the groups financial performance. The group also applies its design and engineering expertise to develop product improvements that advance the utility and performance of these systems and increase warfighter safety and effectiveness, while identifying and positioning itself for new opportunities.
Combat Systems primary military-vehicle platforms consist of a variety of wheeled combat vehicles and main battle tanks. At the heart of these programs are the Stryker wheeled combat vehicle and the Abrams main battle tank two of the key ground-force assets for our customers. Both of these vehicles remain elemental to the militarys force structure and offer continuing opportunities for modernization and enhancements to meet the warfighters evolving requirements.
The Stryker has proven itself as a versatile combat vehicle, supporting numerous missions with 10 variants: infantry carrier; command and control; medical evacuation; fire support; engineering; anti-tank; mortar carrier; reconnaissance; mobile gun system (MGS); and nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance vehicle (NBCRV). In addition to ongoing production of these vehicles, Combat Systems continues to work with the Army to ensure the Stryker remains relevant, affordable and capable of addressing a dynamic threat environment. For example, we are in the process of developing, testing and deploying in a period of just 18 months double-V-hulled vehicles that are designed to protect the crew from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The group was authorized to begin production of these upgraded vehicles in 2010, with initial deliveries expected in early 2011.
Combat Systems continues to support the Armys evolving needs for main battle tanks with technology upgrades to the Abrams, such as the System Enhancement Package (SEP). The SEP-configured tank is a digital platform with an enhanced command-and-control system, second-generation thermal sights and improved armor. We are also engaged in ongoing development efforts that can provide additional upgrade work while increasing the efficiency and capability of the tank.
Complementing these combat-vehicle programs are Combat Systems weapons-systems and munitions programs. For ground forces, the group manufactures vehicle armor, M2 heavy machine guns and MK19 and MK47 grenade launchers. For airborne platforms, Combat Systems produces weapons for most U.S. fighter aircraft, including all high-speed Gatling guns for fixed-wing aircraft and the Hydra-70 family of rockets. Combat Systems is also a global manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered axles, suspensions, brakes and aftermarket parts for heavy-payload vehicles for a variety of military and commercial customers.
The group holds leading or sole-source munitions supply positions for products such as:
| the 120mm mortar and the 155mm and 105mm artillery projectile for the U.S. government, |
| conventional bomb structures for the U.S. government, |
| mortar systems and large-caliber ammunition for the Canadian Department of National Defence and |
| military propellant for the North American market. |
In addition, Combat Systems is the principal second source for the U.S. militarys small-caliber ammunition needs.
Beyond these long-term platform and supply programs, Combat Systems provides logistics support in the United States ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The group has opportunities associated with the
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 5
refurbishment of battle-damaged vehicles, the replacement of equipment that has reached the end of its service life and the replenishment of ammunition and other supplies for the U.S. armed forces. As the sole provider of Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles, Combat Systems is the primary contractor for the maintenance, repair and reset of these vehicles. The group is also a provider for the upgrade of Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
With the expertise from our incumbency on current production programs, the Combat Systems group is well-positioned to participate in future U.S. vehicle development programs. We are competing to lead the design and development of the Armys next-generation armored personnel carrier, the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV). The group is developing the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), a mission-critical combat platform designed to address the U.S. Marine Corps' amphibious assault requirement. As part of a system design and development contract, we have delivered seven new prototypes, which have performed well in customer reliability testing. The group is also a member of one of three teams awarded technology demonstration contracts for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), which is intended to replace a portion of the U.S. fleet of High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV).
Combat Systems has a significant presence internationally and is a recognized military-vehicle integrator and leading defense-materiel provider worldwide. The group has manufacturing facilities in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland. These operations are a key part of the defense industrial base of their home countries and have an extended customer base in more than 30 countries. The groups European business offers a broad range of products, including light- and medium-weight tracked and wheeled tactical vehicles, amphibious bridge systems, artillery systems, light weapons, ammunition and propellants. Key platforms and their customers include the Leopard 2E tank and the Pizarro tracked infantry vehicle, produced for the Spanish army; the EAGLE wheeled vehicle for Germany; and the Piranha and Pandur wheeled armored vehicles, which the group produces for several European and Middle Eastern countries.
Combat Systems is experiencing strong international demand as a result of the demonstrated success of its fielded products. The groups U.S. export activities include Abrams tanks and light armored vehicles (LAVs) for U.S. allies in the Middle East. Additionally, in 2010, the group was selected to manufacture tracked combat vehicle hulls for the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Combat Systems is also leveraging the strong customer relationships developed through its in-country operations. For example, Combat Systems continues work on Canadas next-generation LAV at its Ontario facility and expects to transition from development to production in 2011. Through a contract awarded in 2010 to the United Kingdom operations of the companys Information Systems and Technology group (see pg. 8), we will co-produce with a U.K.-based partner the Specialist Vehicle for the U.K. Ministry of Defence. The Specialist Vehicle is based on one of the groups proven platforms. The program is envisioned to field up to 1,200 vehicles of different variants.
The Combat Systems group continues to emphasize operational execution across the business to drive cost reductions and margin improvement as the group delivers on its substantial backlog. In an environment of dynamic threats and evolving customer needs, the group remains focused on innovation, affordability and speed-to-market to secure new opportunities.
Revenues for the Combat Systems group were 28 percent of our consolidated revenues in 2008, 30 percent in 2009 and 27 percent in 2010. Revenues by major products and services were as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Wheeled combat vehicles |
$ | 3,475 | $ | 4,017 | $ | 3,916 | ||||||||||
Munitions and propellant |
1,470 | 1,541 | 1,612 | |||||||||||||
Tanks and tracked vehicles |
1,563 | 1,670 | 1,567 | |||||||||||||
Rockets and gun systems |
512 | 595 | 616 | |||||||||||||
Engineering and development |
673 | 960 | 372 | |||||||||||||
Drivetrain components and other |
501 | 862 | 795 | |||||||||||||
Total Combat Systems |
$ | 8,194 | $ | 9,645 | $ | 8,878 |
MARINE SYSTEMS
Our Marine Systems group designs, builds and supports submarines and surface ships for the U.S. Navy and Jones Act ships for commercial customers. The group is one of two primary shipbuilders for the Navy. The groups diverse portfolio of platforms and capabilities includes:
| nuclear-powered submarines (Virginia Class), |
| surface combatants (DDG-51, DDG-1000, Littoral Combat Ship), |
| auxiliary and combat-logistics ships (T-AKE), |
| commercial ships (Jones Act ships), |
| design and engineering support (SSBN) and |
| overhaul, repair and lifecycle support services. |
The substantial majority of Marine Systems workload supports the U.S. Navy. These efforts include the construction of new ships, and the design and development of next-generation platforms to help the customer meet evolving missions and maintain its desired fleet size. The group also provides maintenance and repair services to help maximize the life and effectiveness of in-service ships and maintain their relevance to the Navys current requirements. This business consists primarily of major ship-construction programs awarded under large, multi-ship contracts that span several years. The groups three mature Navy construction programs are the fast-attack Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine, the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) guided-missile destroyer and the Lewis and Clark-class (T-AKE) dry cargo/ammunition combat-logistics ship.
The Virginia-class submarine is the first U.S. submarine designed to address post-Cold War threats, including capabilities tailored for both
6 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
open-ocean and littoral missions. These stealthy ships are well-suited for a variety of global assignments, including intelligence gathering, special-operations missions and sea-based missile launch. The Virginia-class program includes 30 submarines, which the customer is procuring in multi-ship blocks. The group has delivered the first seven of 18 boats under contract in conjunction with an industry partner that shares in the construction of these vessels. In 2010, Marine Systems delivered the seventh boat in a record 65 months, five months faster than any of the previous boats in the program. The remaining 11 boats under contract extend deliveries through 2018. As a result of U.S. combatant-commander requirements for the versatile capabilities of the Virginia-class submarine, strong customer and congressional support, innovative cost-saving design and production efforts, and successful program performance, the group is scheduled to start construction of two submarines per year beginning in 2011. The group has been working toward this increased submarine production workload for several years.
Marine Systems also is the lead designer and producer of Arleigh Burke destroyers, the only active destroyer in the Navys global surface fleet. In 2010, we delivered USS Jason Dunham, the 32nd of 34 DDG-51 ships the Navy has contracted with us to build. The two remaining ships are scheduled for delivery in 2011 and 2012, respectively. DDG-51s are multi-mission combatants that offer excellent defense against a wide range of threats, including ballistic missile defense. The Navy plans to continue the DDG-51 program given the proven capabilities of this destroyer. The group expects to receive an award in 2011 for an additional DDG-51 ship associated with the continuation of this program. Marine Systems remains the lead DDG-51 design and planning shipyard, managing the design, modernization and lifecycle support of these ships.
The groups T-AKE combat-logistics ship supports multiple missions for the Navy, including replenishment at sea for U.S. and NATO operating forces around the world. T-AKE is the first Navy ship to incorporate proven commercial marine technologies such as integrated electric-drive propulsion. These technologies are designed to minimize T-AKE operations and maintenance costs over an expected 40-year life. In 2010, we received construction contracts for the final two ships under the 14-ship program. The group has delivered the first 10 of these ships, including two in 2010. Work is underway on the remaining four ships, with two deliveries scheduled in 2011 and two in 2012.
The group is also developing technologies and naval platforms for the future. These design and engineering efforts include initial concept studies for the development of the next-generation ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN), which is expected to replace the current Ohio Class of ballistic missile submarines. The group is also participating in the design of the SSBN Common Missile Compartment under development for the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.
Marine Systems participates in a number of programs in support of the Navys efforts to renew its surface fleet. The group has completed the detailed design of the next-generation guided-missile destroyer, the DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class, and is currently building the first ship at its Bath, Maine, shipyard. In 2010, the group was awarded a contract for continued engineering and support services for the program, and long-lead construction and material for the second and third ships. We expect to be awarded construction contracts for the second and third ships in 2011.
In 2010, the group was awarded a contract for long-lead material and advanced design efforts for the first ship of the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) program. The MLP is an auxiliary support ship intended to serve as a floating transfer station, improving the Navys ability to deliver equipment and cargo to areas without adequate port access in support of a variety of missions. The Navy plans to build three MLP ships, and the contract for construction of the first ship is scheduled to be awarded in 2011.
In addition to these design and construction programs, Marine Systems provides comprehensive ship and submarine overhaul, repair and lifecycle support services to extend the service life of these vessels and maximize the value of these ships to the customer. The group operates the only full-service maintenance and repair shipyard on the West Coast, positioning us to support the Navys rebalancing of its surface force toward the Pacific Fleet. The group also provides international allies with program management, planning, engineering and design support for submarine and surface-ship construction programs.
Beyond its Navy programs, Marine Systems designs and produces ships for commercial customers to meet the Jones Act requirement that ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports be built in U.S. shipyards. In 2010, the group completed a contract to build five product-carrier ships. Given the groups proven success on this program, the age of the fleet of Jones Act ships and environmental regulations that require double-hull tankers and impose emission control limits, we anticipate additional commercial shipbuilding opportunities to materialize as the economy recovers.
To further the groups goals of efficiency, affordability for the customer and continuous improvement, we make strategic investments in our business, often in cooperation with the Navy and local governments. In addition, Marine Systems leverages its design and engineering expertise across its business to improve program execution and generate cost savings. This knowledge sharing enables the group to use resources more efficiently and drive process improvements. The group is well-positioned to effectively fulfill the ship-construction and support requirements of its Navy and commercial customers.
Revenues for the Marine Systems group were 19 percent of our consolidated revenues in 2008, 20 percent in 2009 and 21 percent in 2010. Revenues by major products and services were as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Nuclear-powered submarines |
$ | 2,579 | $ | 3,173 | $ | 3,587 | ||||||||||
Surface combatants |
1,195 | 1,278 | 1,360 | |||||||||||||
Auxiliary and commercial ships |
1,192 | 1,179 | 961 | |||||||||||||
Repair and other services |
590 | 733 | 769 | |||||||||||||
Total Marine Systems |
$ | 5,556 | $ | 6,363 | $ | 6,677 |
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 7
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
Our Information Systems and Technology group provides critical technologies, products and services that support a wide range of government and commercial communication and information-sharing needs. The group consists of a three-part portfolio centered on tactical communication systems, information technology services, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.
Tactical communication systems The group designs, manufactures and delivers trusted and secure communications systems, command-and-control systems and operational hardware to customers within the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community and federal civilian agencies, and to international customers. Our leadership in this market results from decades of experience with previous systems, incumbency on todays programs and an ongoing record of innovation that encompasses key technologies at the center of our customers missions. These include:
| ruggedized mobile computing solutions with embedded wireless capability; |
| information assurance and encryption technologies, products, systems and services that ensure the security and integrity of digital communications worldwide; |
| digital switching, broadband networking and automated network management; |
| battlespace command-and-control systems and |
| fixed and mobile radio and satellite communications systems and antenna technologies. |
This market is characterized by programs that enhance warfighters ability to communicate, collaborate and access vital information through Internet-like networks on the battlefield. Key programs include the U.S. Armys Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) and the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS).
WIN-T is the Armys primary battlefield communications network. As the prime contractor, we are responsible for the design, engineering, integration, production, program management and support of the network. Using ground and satellite communications links, WIN-T provides commanders with the digital communications services they need to access intelligence information, initiate battle plans, collaborate with other military elements, issue orders and monitor the status of their forces. The group has deployed the first increment of WIN-T around the world to more than half of the U.S. Army. The group is transitioning into the second increment of the program, which adds on-the-move command and control and expands the capability to additional soldiers. The third increment of the program is designed to provide enhanced network reliability and capacity and smaller, more-tightly integrated communications and networking gear.
The JTRS program will provide communications among all branches of the U.S. military on multi-channel, software-defined radios. We are developing the JTRS Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) network radios to connect soldiers, sensors and robotic platforms. These small radios will enhance dismounted soldiers situational awareness and combat effectiveness by giving them greater communications capabilities and access to intelligence data in the field. This critical networking capability was successfully demonstrated by the Army during extensive testing exercises in 2010 that connected command posts, on-the-move forces and dismounted soldiers. These exercises also demonstrated how WIN-T and JTRS enable key battle command applications to increase force effectiveness across a variety of missions and terrain.
Information Systems and Technology delivers the same type of modern communications and information-sharing benefits to many civilian customers, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal civilian agencies. For example, we are the prime contractor for the U.S. Coast Guards Rescue 21 system, which provides enhanced search-and-rescue capabilities as well as state-of-the-art command-and-control capabilities to assist the Coast Guard in effectively deploying available assets on all maritime missions.
We also provide many of these capabilities to non-U.S. customers, including the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the Canadian Department of National Defence. Most recently, the U.K. Ministry of Defence awarded the group a contract for the demonstration phase of its Specialist Vehicle program. In this phase, the group will manage the design, integration and production of seven prototypes. The Specialist Vehicles open electronic architecture will make the fleet easier to maintain and reduce product lifecycle costs. Work under the contract will be shared with the Combat Systems group, including a significant portion of the future production effort.
Information technology services The group provides mission-critical information technology (IT) and highly specialized mission-support services to the U.S. defense and intelligence communities, the Department of Homeland Security and other federal civilian agencies, and commercial and international customers. The group specializes in:
| design, development, integration, maintenance and security of wireless and wire-line networks and enterprise infrastructure; |
| mission-operations simulation and training systems and services; |
| large-scale data center consolidation and modernization and |
| healthcare technology solutions and services. |
In this market, Information Systems and Technology has a long-standing reputation for excellence in providing technical-support personnel and domain specialists who enable customers to execute their missions effectively. For many customers, the groups employees are the on-call staff that provide technical support for both commercial desktop technology and mission-specific hardware. Our employees also develop, install and operate mission systems on a day-to-day basis. In Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for example, Information Systems and Technology employees
8 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
provide training and IT support services for critical Army intelligence operations, including unmanned aircraft systems training units. We integrate and operate systems that create lifelike training scenarios, helping operators improve their proficiency at a fraction of the cost of live-action exercises.
Information Systems and Technology also supplies network-modernization and IT infrastructure services to U.S. government customers. As one of the U.S. Air Forces leading partners for network modernization, the group has provided IT support services to more than 75 Air Force bases, and it currently supports the Air Forces main operating bases. The group also has provided continuous enterprise-wide IT services and support to the U.S. Senate for more than five years.
In addition, we are a leading provider of healthcare technology solutions that meet the fast-growing needs for technology modernization of government and commercial healthcare organizations. Our offerings include data management, analytics, fraud prevention and detection software, decision support and process automation solutions. In Afghanistan and Iraq, the group supports the Armys military healthcare IT mission, helping ensure continuity of care for injured soldiers by providing accurate and timely information to medical staff both in the field and at treatment facilities. For the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, we are supporting the governments implementation of healthcare reform and medical benefits programs, including facilitating a program to provide retirees with prescription health coverage.
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems We also provide mission-related systems development, integration and operations support to customers in the U.S. defense, intelligence and homeland security communities, and to U.S. allies. These offerings include:
| open-architecture mission systems; |
| signals and information collection, processing and distribution systems; |
| design, development and integration of imagery solutions; |
| sensors and cameras; |
| special-purpose computing and |
| cyber security services and products. |
We have a 50-year legacy of providing advanced fire control systems for Navy submarine programs, and currently are developing and integrating commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software and hardware upgrades to improve the tactical control capabilities for multiple submarine classes. This initiative leads the implementation of the Navy's open architecture and open business model approach on submarines with a design that emphasizes shared standards, providing greater interoperability, scalability and supplier independence. Capitalizing on this expertise and open architecture approach, the group developed the core mission system for the Navys Independence Class of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), and it is the ship mission systems integrator on the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program for the Army and the Navy.
Information Systems and Technology continues to expand its imagery offerings. For example, the group recently integrated cameras and optics with algorithms and sensors to enhance customers ability to gather and interpret visual data. This group also produces the Defense Departments most-widely used imagery-analysis software suite. This software is currently providing actionable information derived from raw intelligence and archived imagery to more than 10,000 intelligence and tactical users.
Information Systems and Technologys contracts in securing and protecting organizations from network attacks have resulted in a market-leading position in cyber security. The group performs data recovery, forensic examinations and diagnostics as a prime contractor for the DoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3), the worlds largest accredited cyber crime laboratory. It is also the principal support contractor for the Department of Homeland Securitys U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), which provides response support to and defense against cyber attacks for U.S. executive branch agencies, and information sharing and collaboration with state and local government, industry and international partners.
The groups diverse customer base has stimulated strong growth opportunities in each of its three principal markets, including:
| the warfighters need for improved tactical communications and real-time intelligence; |
| IT network and business system consolidation and modernization, and military and federal requirements for healthcare IT services and |
| the growing requirements for cyber security services among homeland security, defense, intelligence and commercial customers. |
Revenues for the Information Systems and Technology group were 34 percent of our consolidated revenues in 2008 and 2009 and 36 percent in 2010. Revenues by major products and services were as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Tactical communication systems |
$ | 4,455 | $ | 4,713 | $ | 5,134 | ||||||||||
Information technology services |
3,536 | 3,920 | 4,262 | |||||||||||||
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems |
2,047 | 2,169 | 2,216 | |||||||||||||
Total Information Systems and Technology |
$ | 10,038 | $ | 10,802 | $ | 11,612 |
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 9
CUSTOMERS
In 2010, 72 percent of our revenues were from the U.S. government; 10 percent were from U.S. commercial customers; 8 percent were directly from international defense customers; and the remaining 10 percent were from international commercial customers.
U.S. GOVERNMENT
Our primary customers are the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. intelligence community. We have also developed relationships with other U.S. government customers, including the Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and several first-responder agencies. Our revenues from the U.S. government were as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||
Direct |
||||||||||||
Department of Defense (DoD) |
$ | 18,442 | $ | 20,344 | $ | 20,446 | ||||||
Non-DoD |
1,422 | 1,899 | 1,941 | |||||||||
Foreign Military Sales* |
282 | 478 | 876 | |||||||||
Total U.S. government |
$ | 20,146 | $ | 22,721 | $ | 23,263 | ||||||
Percent of total revenues |
69% | 71% | 72% |
* | In addition to our direct international sales, we sell to foreign governments through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Under the FMS program, we contract with and are paid by the U.S. government, and the U.S. government assumes the risk of collection from the foreign government customer. |
We perform our U.S. government business under fixed-price, cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials contracts. Our production contracts are primarily fixed-price. Under these contracts, we agree to perform a specific scope of work for a fixed amount. Contracts for research, engineering, prototypes, repair and maintenance are typically cost-reimbursement or time-and-materials. Under cost-reimbursement contracts, the customer reimburses us for allowable costs and pays a fixed fee or an incentive- or award-based fee. These fees are determined by our ability to achieve targets set in the contract, such as cost, quality, schedule and performance. Under time-and-materials contracts, the customer pays a fixed hourly rate for direct labor and reimburses us for materials costs.
Fixed-price contracts accounted for approximately 55 percent of our U.S. government business in both 2009 and 2010; cost-reimbursement contracts accounted for approximately 38 percent in 2009 and 39 percent in 2010; and time-and-materials contracts accounted for approximately 7 percent in 2009 and 6 percent in 2010.
Each of these contract types presents advantages and disadvantages. Fixed-price contracts typically have higher fee levels as we are required to absorb cost overruns, should they occur. Therefore, these types of contracts offer us additional profits if we can complete the work for less than the contract amount. Cost-reimbursement contracts generally subject us to lower risk. They also can include fee schedules that allow the customer to make additional payments when we satisfy certain performance criteria. However, not all costs are reimbursed under these types of contracts, and the government carefully reviews the costs we charge. In addition, the negotiated base fees associated with cost-reimbursement contracts are generally lower, consistent with our lower risk. Under time-and-materials contracts, our profit may vary if actual labor-hour costs vary significantly from the negotiated rates. Additionally, because we often charge materials costs with little or no fee, the content mix can impact the profit margins associated with these contracts.
U.S. COMMERCIAL
Our U.S. commercial revenues were $4.1 billion in 2008, $3.3 billion in 2009 and $3.2 billion in 2010. This represented approximately 14 percent of our consolidated revenues in 2008 and 10 percent in both 2009 and 2010. The majority of these revenues are for business-jet aircraft where our customer base consists of individuals and public and privately held companies representing a wide range of industries. Other commercial products include drivetrain components and aftermarket parts in our Combat Systems group, Jones Act ships in our Marine Systems group and ruggedized mobile computing solutions in our Information Systems and Technology group.
INTERNATIONAL
Our direct revenues from government and commercial customers outside the United States were $5.1 billion in 2008 and $6 billion in both 2009 and 2010. This represented approximately 17 percent of our consolidated revenues in 2008, 19 percent in 2009 and 18 percent in 2010.
We conduct business with government customers around the world with primary subsidiary operations in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Our non-U.S. defense subsidiaries are committed to developing long-term relationships with their respective governments and have distinguished themselves as principal regional suppliers and employers.
Our international commercial business consists primarily of business-jet aircraft exports and worldwide aircraft services. The market for business-jet aircraft and related services outside North America has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly in emerging markets, including the Asia-Pacific region. While the United States continues to be our largest market for business aircraft, orders from customers outside North America represent a growing segment of our aircraft business, approximately 60 percent of total orders and backlog in 2010.
10 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
For a discussion of the risks associated with conducting business in international locations, see Risk Factors contained in Part I, Item 1A, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For information regarding sales and assets by geographic region, see Note Q to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
COMPETITION
Several factors determine our ability to compete successfully in both the defense and business-jet aircraft markets. While customers evaluation criteria vary, the principal competitive elements include:
| the technical excellence, reliability and cost competitiveness of our products and services; |
| our ability to innovate and develop new products and technology that improve mission performance; |
| successful program execution and on-time delivery of complex, integrated systems; |
| our global footprint and accessibility to customers; |
| our indigenous presence in the countries of several key customers; |
| the reputation and customer confidence derived from our past performance and |
| the successful management of our businesses and customer relationships. |
DEFENSE MARKET
The U.S. government contracts with numerous domestic and foreign companies for products and services. We compete against other large platform and system-integration contractors, as well as smaller companies that specialize in a particular technology or capability. Internationally, we compete with global defense contractors exports and the offerings of private and state-owned defense manufacturers based in the countries where we operate. Our Combat Systems group competes with a large number of domestic and foreign businesses. Our Marine Systems group has one primary competitor, Northrop Grumman Corporation, with which it also partners or subcontracts on several programs, including the Virginia-class submarine. Our Information Systems and Technology group competes with many companies, from large defense companies to small niche competitors with specialized technologies. The operating cycle of many of our major platform programs can result in sustained periods of program continuity when we perform successfully.
We also are involved in teaming and subcontracting relationships with some of our competitors. Competitions for major defense programs often require companies to form teams to bring together broad capabilities to meet the customers requirements. Opportunities associated with these programs include roles as the programs integrator, overseeing and coordinating the efforts of all participants in the team, or as a provider of a specific hardware, such as military vehicles provided by Combat Systems, or a subsystem element, such as core mission systems provided by Information Systems and Technology.
Another competitive factor in the defense market is the U.S. governments use of multiple-award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts to provide customers with flexible procurement options. IDIQ contracts allow the government to select a group of eligible contractors for a program and establish an overall spending limit. When the government awards IDIQ contracts to multiple bidders under the same program, we must compete to be selected as a participant in the program and subsequently compete for individual delivery orders. This contracting model is most common among our Information Systems and Technology groups customers but is also being used in programs for which our Combat Systems group competes.
BUSINESS-JET AIRCRAFT MARKET
The business-jet aircraft manufacturing market is divided into segments based on aircraft range, price and cabin size. Gulfstream has several competitors for each of its products, with more competitors for the shorter-range aircraft. Key competitive factors include aircraft safety, reliability and performance; comfort and in-flight productivity; service quality, global footprint and timeliness; technological and new-product innovation; and price. We believe Gulfstream competes effectively in all of these areas.
The Aerospace group competes worldwide in its business-jet aircraft services business primarily on the basis of price, service quality and timeliness. In its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and fixed-base operations (FBO) business, the group competes with several other large companies, as well as a number of smaller companies, particularly in the maintenance business. In its completions business, the group competes with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as other third-party providers.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 11
BACKLOG
Our total backlog represents the estimated remaining sales value of work to be performed under firm contracts and includes funded and unfunded portions. For additional discussion of backlog, see Managements 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 of our business groups follows:
2010 Total Backlog Not Expected to be Completed in |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Funded | Unfunded | Total | Funded | Unfunded | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Aerospace |
$ | 18,891 | $ | 433 | $ | 19,324 | $ | 17,443 | $ | 378 | $ | 17,821 | $ | 13,781 | ||||||||||||||
Combat Systems |
11,431 | 1,985 | 13,416 | 10,908 | 892 | 11,800 | 4,486 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Marine Systems |
7,111 | 15,362 | 22,473 | 7,050 | 13,069 | 20,119 | 14,398 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Information Systems and Technology |
8,423 | 1,909 | 10,332 | 7,978 | 1,843 | 9,821 | 2,980 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total backlog |
$ | 45,856 | $ | 19,689 | $ | 65,545 | $ | 43,379 | $ | 16,182 | $ | 59,561 | $ | 35,645 |
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
To foster innovative product development and evolution, we conduct sustained R&D activities as part of our normal business operations. In the commercial sector, most of our Aerospace groups R&D activities support Gulfstreams product enhancement and development programs. In our defense businesses, we conduct both customer-sponsored R&D activities under U.S. government contracts and company-sponsored R&D. In accordance with government regulations, we recover a significant portion of company-sponsored R&D expenditures through overhead charges to U.S. government contracts. For more information on our R&D activities, including our expenditures for the past three years, see Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We develop technology, manufacturing processes and systems-integration practices. In addition to owning a large portfolio of proprietary intellectual property, we license some intellectual property rights to and from others. The U.S. government holds licenses to our patents developed in the performance of U.S. government contracts, and it may use or authorize others to use the inventions covered by our patents. Although these intellectual property rights are important to the operation of our business, no existing patent, license or other intellectual property right is of such importance that its loss or termination would, in our opinion, have a material impact on our business.
EMPLOYEES
On December 31, 2010, we had approximately 90,000 employees, one-fifth of whom work under collective agreements with various labor unions and worker representatives. Agreements covering approximately 3 percent of total employees are due to expire during 2011. Historically, we have renegotiated labor agreements without any significant disruption of operating activities.
RAW MATERIALS, SUPPLIERS AND SEASONALITY
We depend on suppliers and subcontractors for raw materials and components. These supply networks can experience price fluctuations and capacity constraints, which can put pressure on pricing. Effective management and oversight of suppliers and subcontractors is an important element of our successful performance. We attempt to mitigate these risks through long-term agreements with our suppliers, by negotiating flexible pricing terms in our customer contracts and by procuring from our suppliers jointly across our business groups to achieve economies of scale. We have not experienced, and do not foresee, significant difficulties in obtaining the materials, components or supplies necessary for our business operations.
Our business is not generally seasonal in nature. The timing of contract awards, the availability of funding from the customer, the incurrence of contract costs and unit deliveries are the primary drivers of our revenue recognition. In the United States, these factors are influenced by the federal governments October-to-September fiscal year. This process has historically resulted in higher revenues in the latter half of the year. Internationally, many of our government customers schedule deliveries toward the end of the calendar year, resulting in increasing revenues and earnings over the course of the year.
12 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
REGULATORY MATTERS
U.S. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
U.S. government contracts are subject to procurement laws and regulations. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) govern the majority of our contracts. The FAR mandates uniform policies and procedures for U.S. government acquisitions and purchased services. Also, individual agencies can have acquisition regulations that provide implementing language for the FAR or that supplement the FAR. For example, the Department of Defense implements the FAR through the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation supplement (DFARs). For all federal government entities, the FAR regulates the phases of any product or service acquisition, including:
| acquisition planning, |
| competition requirements, |
| contractor qualifications, |
| protection of source selection and vendor information and |
| acquisition procedures. |
In addition, the FAR addresses the allowability of our costs, while the CAS address how those costs can be allocated to contracts. The FAR also subjects us to audits and other government reviews covering issues such as cost, performance and accounting practices relating to our contracts.
INTERNATIONAL
Our international sales are subject to the applicable foreign government regulations and procurement policies and practices, as well as certain U.S. policies and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). We are also subject to regulations governing investments, exchange controls, repatriation of earnings and import-export control, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
BUSINESS-JET AIRCRAFT
The Aerospace group is subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation in the United States and other similar aviation regulatory authorities internationally, including the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For an aircraft to be manufactured and sold, the model must receive a type certificate from the appropriate aviation authority, and each aircraft must receive a certificate of airworthiness. Aircraft completions also require approval by the appropriate aviation authority, which often is accomplished through a supplemental type certificate. Aviation authorities can require changes to a specific aircraft or model type for safety reasons if they believe the aircraft does not meet their standards. Maintenance facilities and charter operations must be licensed by aviation authorities as well.
ENVIRONMENTAL
We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations cover the discharge, treatment, storage, disposal, investigation and remediation of some materials, substances and wastes. We are directly or indirectly involved in environmental investigations or remediation at some of our current and former facilities and at third-party sites that we do not own but where we have been designated a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or a state environmental agency. As a PRP, we potentially are liable to the government or third parties for the full cost of remediating contamination at a relevant site. In cases where we have been designated a PRP, generally we seek to mitigate these environmental liabilities through available insurance coverage and by pursuing appropriate cost-recovery actions. In the unlikely event we are required to fully fund the remediation of a site, the current statutory framework would allow us to pursue contributions from other PRPs. We regularly assess our compliance status and management of environmental matters.
Operating and maintenance costs associated with environmental compliance and management of contaminated sites are a normal, recurring part of our operations. Historically, these costs have not been material. Environmental costs often are allowable and recoverable under our contracts with the U.S. government. Based on information currently available and current U.S. government policies relating to allowable costs, we do not expect continued compliance with environmental regulations to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. For additional information relating to the impact of environmental matters, see Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We file several types of reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These reports and information include an annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and proxy statements. Free copies of these items are made available on our website (www.generaldynamics.com) as soon as practicable and through the General Dynamics investor relations office at (703) 876-3152.
These items also can be read and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 13
An investment in our common stock or debt securities is subject to risks and uncertainties. Investors should consider the following factors, in addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before deciding whether to purchase our securities.
Investment risks can be market-wide as well as unique to a specific industry or company. The market risks faced by an investor in our stock are similar to the uncertainties faced by investors in a broad range of industries. There are, however, some risks that apply more specifically to General Dynamics based on our type of business.
Because three of our four business groups serve the defense market, our revenues are concentrated with the U.S. government. This customer relationship involves certain unique risks. In addition, our sales to international customers expose us to different financial and legal risks. In our Aerospace groups market, we face risks tied to U.S. and global economic conditions. Despite the varying nature of our U.S. and international defense and business-aviation operations and the markets they serve, each group shares some common risks, such as the ongoing development of high-technology products and the price, availability and quality of commodities and subsystems.
We depend on the U.S. government for a significant portion of our revenues. In each of the past three years, more than two-thirds of our revenues were from the U.S. government. U.S. defense spending historically has been driven by perceived threats to national security. While the country has been under an elevated threat level in recent years, there is no assurance that defense budgets will be sustained at current levels. In addition, competing demands for federal funds could pressure all areas of spending, which could further impact the defense budget.
A decrease in U.S. government defense spending or changes in spending allocation could result in one or more of our programs being reduced, delayed or terminated. Reductions in our existing programs could adversely affect our future revenues and earnings.
U.S. government contracts are not always fully funded at inception and are subject to termination. Our U.S. government revenues are funded by agency budgets that operate on an October-to-September fiscal year. In February of each year, the President of the United States presents to the Congress 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. For the remainder of the year, the appropriations and authorization committees of the Congress review the Presidents budget proposals and establish the funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year. 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. Changes in congressional schedules due to elections or other legislative priorities, negotiations for program funding levels or unforeseen world events can interrupt the funding for a program or contract. Second, future revenues under existing multi-year contracts are conditioned on the continuing availability of congressional appropriations. The Congress typically appropriates funds on a fiscal-year basis, even though contract performance may extend over many years. Changes in appropriations in subsequent years may impact the funding available for these programs. Delays or changes in funding can impact the timing of available funds or lead to changes in program content.
In addition, U.S. government contracts generally permit the government to terminate a contract, in whole or in part, for convenience. If a contract is terminated for convenience, a contractor usually is entitled to receive payments for its allowable costs and the proportionate share of fees or earnings for the work performed. The government may also terminate a contract for default in the event of a breach by the contractor. If a contract is terminated for default, the government in most cases pays only for the work it has accepted. The loss of anticipated funding or the termination of multiple or large programs could have an adverse effect on our future revenues and earnings.
We are subject to audit by the U.S. government. U.S. government agencies routinely audit and investigate government contractors. These agencies review a contractors performance under its contracts, cost structure and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards. The U.S. government also reviews the adequacy of, and a contractors compliance with, its internal control systems and policies, including the contractors purchasing, property, estimating, labor, accounting and information systems. In some cases, audits may result in costs not being reimbursed or subject to repayment. If an audit or investigation were to result in allegations of improper or illegal activities, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines, and suspension or prohibition from doing business with the U.S. government. In addition, we could suffer reputational harm if allegations of impropriety were made against us.
Our Aerospace group is subject to changing customer demand for business aircraft. Our Aerospace groups business-jet market is driven by the demand for business-aviation products and services by business, individual and government customers in the United States and around the world. The groups future results also depend on other factors, including general economic conditions, the availability of credit and trends in capital goods markets. If customers default on existing contracts and our Aerospace group is unable to replace those contracts, the groups anticipated revenues and profitability could be reduced as a result.
14 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
Our earnings and margins depend on our ability to perform under our contracts. When agreeing to contractual terms, our management makes assumptions and projections about future conditions or events. These projections assess:
| the productivity and availability of labor, |
| the complexity of the work to be performed, |
| the cost and availability of materials, |
| the impact of delayed performance and |
| the timing of product deliveries. |
If there is a significant change in one or more of these circumstances or estimates, or if we face unexpected contract costs, the profitability of one or more of these contracts may be adversely affected. This could affect our earnings and margins. If we fail to adequately manage the risks under our contracts, particularly fixed-price contracts, our earnings and margins may be adversely affected.
Our earnings and margins depend in part on subcontractor performance, as well as raw material and component availability and pricing. We rely on other companies to provide raw materials, major components and subsystems for our products. Subcontractors perform some of the services that we provide to our customers. We depend on these subcontractors and vendors to meet our contractual obligations in full compliance with customer requirements. Occasionally, we rely on only one or two sources of supply that, if disrupted, could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our commitments to customers. Our ability to perform our obligations as a prime contractor may be adversely affected if one or more of these suppliers is unable to provide the agreed-upon supplies or perform the agreed-upon services in a timely and cost-effective manner.
International sales and operations are subject to greater risks that sometimes are associated with doing business in foreign countries. Our international business may pose different risks than our business in the United States. In some countries there is increased chance for economic, legal or political changes. Government customers in newly formed free-market economies typically have procurement procedures that are less mature, which can complicate the contracting process. In this context, our international business may be sensitive to changes in a foreign governments leadership, national priorities and budgets. International transactions can involve increased financial and legal risks arising from foreign exchange-rate variability and differing legal systems. In addition, some international government customers require contractors to agree to specific in-country purchases, manufacturing agreements or financial support arrangements, known as offsets, as a condition for a contract award. The contracts may include penalties if we fail to meet the offset requirements. An unfavorable event or trend in any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our revenues and earnings associated with our international business.
Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to develop new products and maintain a qualified workforce to meet the needs of our customers. Virtually all of the products that we produce and sell are highly engineered and require sophisticated manufacturing and system-integration techniques and capabilities. The commercial and government markets in which we operate are characterized by rapidly changing technologies. The product and program needs of our government and commercial customers change and evolve regularly. Accordingly, our future performance depends, in part, on our ability to develop and manufacture competitive products, and bring those products to market quickly at cost-effective prices. In addition, because of the highly specialized nature of our business, we must be able to hire and retain the skilled and qualified personnel necessary to perform the services required by our customers. If we are unable to develop new products that meet customers changing needs or successfully attract and retain qualified personnel, our future revenues and earnings may be adversely affected.
Developing new technologies entails significant risks and uncertainties that may not be covered by indemnity or insurance. While we maintain insurance for some business risks, it is not practicable to obtain coverage to protect against all operational risks and liabilities. Where permitted by applicable laws, we seek indemnification from the U.S. government. In addition, we may seek limitation of potential liability related to the sale and use of our homeland security products and services through qualification by the Department of Homeland Security under the SAFETY Act provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. We may elect to provide products or services even in instances where we are unable to obtain such indemnification or qualification.
We have made and expect to continue to make investments, including acquisitions and joint ventures, that involve risks and uncertainties. These activities, particularly in the current environment of increased governmental regulation and enforcement both domestically and abroad, may expose us to legal and regulatory risks that are different from the risks we currently experience in our existing businesses. When evaluating potential mergers and acquisitions, we make judgments regarding the value of business opportunities, technologies and other assets, and the risks and costs of potential liabilities based on information available to us at the time of the transaction. Whether we realize the anticipated benefits from these transactions depends on multiple factors, including our integration of the businesses involved, the performance of the underlying products, capabilities or technologies, and market conditions following the acquisition. Although we believe we have established appropriate procedures and processes to mitigate these risks and have a proven track record of successful acquisitions and investments, unanticipated performance issues and acquired liabilities associated with these activities could adversely affect our financial results.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 15
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on managements expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as expects, anticipates, plans, believes, scheduled, estimates, should and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These 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 that 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, the risk factors discussed in this section.
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 General Dynamics or any person acting on our behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section. We do 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.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
We operate in a number of offices, manufacturing plants, laboratories, warehouses and other facilities in the United States and abroad. We believe our main facilities are adequate for our present needs and, given planned improvements and construction, expect them to remain adequate for the foreseeable future.
On December 31, 2010, our business groups had major operations at the following locations:
| Aerospace Lincoln and Long Beach, California; West Palm Beach, Florida; Brunswick and Savannah, Georgia; Cahokia, Illinois; Westfield, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada; Teterboro, New Jersey; Dallas, Texas; Appleton, Wisconsin; Beijing, China; Dusseldorf and Hannover, Germany; Mexicali, Mexico; Moscow, Russia; Singapore; Basel, Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Biggin Hill and Luton, United Kingdom. |
| Combat Systems Anniston, Alabama; East Camden, Arkansas; Crawfordsville, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee, Florida; Chicago and Marion, Illinois; Saco, Maine; Westminster, Maryland; Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and Troy, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; Charlotte, North Carolina; Lima, Ohio; Eynon and Red Lion, Pennsylvania; Garland, Texas; Williston, Vermont; Marion and Woodbridge, Virginia; Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Vienna, Austria; Edmonton, London, La Gardeur and Valleyfield, Canada; St. Etienne, France; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Granada, La Coruna, Oviedo, Palencia, Sevilla and Trubia, Spain; Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. |
| Marine Systems San Diego, California; Groton and New London, Connecticut; Bath and Brunswick, Maine; North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Mexicali, Mexico. |
| Information Systems and Technology Scottsdale, Arizona; San Diego and Santa Clara, California; Towson, Maryland; Needham, Pittsfield and Taunton, Massachusetts; Ypsilanti, Michigan; Bloomington, Minnesota; Nashua, New Hampshire; Greensboro and Newton, North Carolina; Kilgore, Texas; Arlington, Chantilly, Chesapeake, Fairfax and Herndon, Virginia; Calgary and Ottawa, Canada; Andover, Oakdale and Tewkesbury, United Kingdom. |
A summary of floor space by business group on December 31, 2010, follows:
(Square feet in millions) | Company-owned Facilities |
Leased Facilities |
Government-owned Facilities |
Total | ||||
Aerospace |
4.4 | 4.0 | | 8.4 | ||||
Combat Systems |
7.6 | 4.7 | 7.5 | 19.8 | ||||
Marine Systems |
7.7 | 2.3 | | 10.0 | ||||
Information Systems and Technology |
3.1 | 8.3 | 0.9 | 12.3 | ||||
Total |
22.8 | 19.3 | 8.4 | 50.5 |
For information relating to legal proceedings, see Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
16 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE COMPANYS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The high and low sales prices of our common stock and the cash dividends declared on our common stock for each quarter of 2010 and 2009 are included in the Supplementary Data contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
On January 30, 2011, there were approximately 14,000 holders of record of our common stock.
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, see Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We did not make any unregistered sales of equity securities in 2010.
The following table provides information about our fourth quarter repurchases of equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased |
Average Price Paid per Share |
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program* |
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program* |
||||||||||||
10/4/10 10/31/10 |
| | | 7,753,900 | ||||||||||||
11/1/10 11/28/10 |
1,600,000 | $ | 67.41 | 1,600,000 | 6,153,900 | |||||||||||
11/29/10 12/31/10 |
6,153,900 | $ | 69.79 | 6,153,900 | | |||||||||||
Total |
7,753,900 | $ | 69.30 |
* | On August 4, 2010, our board of directors authorized management to repurchase up to 10 million shares of common stock on the open market. On February 2, 2011, with no shares remaining under the August authorization, the board of directors increased the number of authorized shares to 10 million. Unless terminated or extended earlier by resolution of the board of directors, the program will expire when the number of authorized shares has been repurchased. |
For additional information relating to our repurchases of common stock during the past three years, see Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources Financing Activities Share Repurchases contained in Part II, Item 7, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following performance graph compares the cumulative total return to shareholders on our common stock, assuming reinvestment of dividends, with similar returns for the Standard & Poors® 500 Index and the Standard & Poors® Aerospace & Defense Index, both of which include General Dynamics.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 17
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents selected historical financial data derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and other company information for each of the five years presented. This information should be read in conjunction with Managements 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) | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of Operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 24,063 | $ | 27,240 | $ | 29,300 | $ | 31,981 | $ | 32,466 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings |
2,625 | 3,113 | 3,653 | 3,675 | 3,945 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating margin |
10.9% | 11.4% | 12.5% | 11.5% | 12.2% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
(101) | (70) | (66) | (160) | (157) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes, net |
817 | 967 | 1,126 | 1,106 | 1,162 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
1,710 | 2,080 | 2,478 | 2,407 | 2,628 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Return on sales (a) |
7.1% | 7.6% | 8.5% | 7.5% | 8.1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax |
146 | (8) | (19) | (13) | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
1,856 | 2,072 | 2,459 | 2,394 | 2,624 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
4.20 | 5.10 | 6.22 | 6.20 | 6.82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
4.56 | 5.08 | 6.17 | 6.17 | 6.81 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 2,156 | $ | 2,952 | $ | 3,124 | $ | 2,855 | $ | 2,986 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash used by investing activities |
(2,616) | (875) | (3,663) | (1,392) | (408) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash used by financing activities |
(539) | (786) | (718) | (806) | (2,226) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations |
272 | (4) | (13) | (15) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share |
0.92 | 1.16 | 1.40 | 1.52 | 1.68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial position |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and equivalents |
$ | 1,604 | $ | 2,891 | $ | 1,621 | $ | 2,263 | $ | 2,613 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
22,376 | 25,733 | 28,373 | 31,077 | 32,545 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short- and long-term debt |
2,781 | 2,791 | 4,024 | 3,864 | 3,203 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders equity |
9,827 | 11,768 | 10,053 | 12,423 | 13,316 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt-to-equity (b) |
28.3% | 23.7% | 40.0% | 31.1% | 24.1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book value per share (c) |
24.22 | 29.13 | 26.00 | 32.21 | 35.79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating working capital (d) |
1,040 | 838 | 624 | 948 | 1,104 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other information |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Free cash flow from operations (e) |
$ | 1,822 | $ | 2,478 | $ | 2,634 | $ | 2,470 | $ | 2,616 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Return on invested capital (f) |
15.6% | 16.9% | 18.5% | 17.8% | 17.5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Funded backlog |
34,024 | 37,194 | 51,712 | 45,856 | 43,379 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total backlog |
43,667 | 46,832 | 74,127 | 65,545 | 59,561 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares outstanding |
405.8 | 404.0 | 386.7 | 385.7 | 372.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
403.4 | 404.4 | 396.2 | 385.5 | 381.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
406.8 | 408.1 | 398.7 | 387.9 | 385.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Employees |
81,000 | 83,500 | 92,300 | 91,700 | 90,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales per employee (g) |
309,300 | 329,400 | 342,600 | 346,500 | 358,100 |
(a) | Return on sales is calculated as earnings from continuing operations divided by revenues. |
(b) | Debt-to-equity ratio is calculated as total debt divided by total equity as of year end. |
(c) | Book value per share is calculated as total equity divided by total outstanding shares as of year end. |
(d) | Operating working capital is calculated as accounts receivable, contracts in process (excluding other contract costs - see Note G to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8) and inventories less accounts payable, customer advances and deposits, and liabilities for salaries and wages. |
(e) | See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for a GAAP reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow from operations. |
(f) | See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for the calculation and related GAAP reconciliation of return on invested capital. |
(g) | Sales per employee is calculated as revenues for the past 12 months divided by the average number of employees for the period. |
18 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
(Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts or unless otherwise noted)
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For an overview of our 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.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
The nations engagement in combating threats to U.S. national security around the world, coupled with the need to equip and modernize U.S. military forces, drives Department of Defense funding levels. As a defense contractor, our financial performance is influenced by the allocation and prioritization of U.S. defense spending. For fiscal year (FY) 2011, the President requested $549 billion for the Department of Defense, including approximately $189 billion for procurement and research and development (R&D). Procurement and R&D budgets, also known as investment accounts, provide the majority of our U.S. defense revenues.
As of February 18, 2011, the Congress has not approved the Presidents FY 2011 budget request. Consequently, the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense, is operating under a continuing resolution (CR), which funds the Pentagon at FY 2010 funding levels through early March 2011. For FY 2010, Congress appropriated $531 billion for the Defense Department, including approximately $185 billion for investment accounts. We anticipate that Congress will further consider the FY 2011 defense spending bill in conjunction with the expiration of the current CR. This consideration would likely result in either an extension of the CR, thereby keeping FY 2011 funding at FY 2010 levels, or the passage of a 2011 funding bill. In the case of an extended CR, we are actively engaged with our customers and the Congress to ensure funding required for critical programs is not disrupted. In either case, budget expenditures generally lag congressional funding, and we expect that expenditures applied toward programs over the next few years will be consistent with defense funding appropriated in recent years.
To fund the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, defense budgets have also included supplemental funding. While some of our programs have received supplemental funds, most of our funding is now derived from base budgets. For FY 2011, the President has requested approximately $159 billion in supplemental funding, including approximately 16 percent for investment accounts. Future-year spending plans forecast a reduction in supplemental funding levels consistent with the administrations plan to gradually reduce troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For FY 2012, the President has requested total defense funding of $671 billion, including $118 billion in supplemental funding. The 2012 budget requests $188 billion for investment accounts. The Pentagons five-year base spending plan, submitted with the FY 2012 funding request, reflects low-single-digit growth in the near-term with growth slowing in later years. This plan incorporates approximately $78 billion of projected cuts when compared with the previous five-year plan. Given force structure levels and current threat levels, the majority of those cuts are not manifested in investment accounts. Rather, investment accounts are projected to display low-single-digit growth over the five-year period, with procurement funding for mature programs growing and R&D funding for developmental programs declining over the period.
In todays dynamic budget environment, the success of our U.S. defense business is enhanced by the diversity of our exposure to different programs and customers within the budget, our insight into customer requirements stemming from our incumbency on core programs, our ability to evolve our products to address a fast-changing threat environment, and our successful execution of the contracts we are awarded. While our nations budget deficits will influence government spending decisions, we expect defense funding to continue to be driven by the following:
| support for the warfighter in the face of threats posed by an uncertain global security environment; |
| the number of troops deployed globally, coupled with the overall size of the U.S. military; |
| the need to reset and replenish equipment and supplies damaged and consumed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001; |
| the need to maintain thousands of jobs that support the health of our nations economy and |
| the need to modernize that infrastructure to address the evolving requirements of modern-day warfare. |
Given todays tenuous geopolitical landscape, governments around the world continue to fund weapons and equipment modernization programs, leading to diverse defense export opportunities. We continue to pursue opportunities presented by international demand for military hardware and information technologies, both from our indigenous international operations and through exports from our U.S. businesses. While the revenue potential can be significant, international defense budgets are subject to unpredictable issues of contract award timing, changing priorities and overall spending pressures. As we broaden the customer base for our defense products around the world, we expect our international sales and exports to grow.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 19
Business-jet market conditions continued to improve in 2010, in line with the broader economic recovery, particularly in the large-cabin market. Our Aerospace group benefitted from increased flying hours, higher aircraft services activity, improved new-aircraft order interest and declining customer defaults. Barring any further economic turmoil, we believe the diversity and duration of our business-jet backlog positions the Aerospace group for further improvement in 2011 and beyond. Continued investment in new aircraft products is expected to drive Aerospaces long-term growth, particularly as the group begins producing its newest aircraft offerings, the G250 and the G650, in 2011. Similarly, we believe that aircraft-service revenues provide the group diversified exposure to aftermarket sales fueled by continued growth in the global installed business-jet fleet.
In these dynamic markets, we are committed to creating shareholder value through innovative product development, disciplined program execution and continuous improvement initiatives. Our solid performance is measured in our sustained revenue and earnings growth, margin improvement and efficient conversion of earnings into cash. Our record of excellent cash-flow conversion has enabled us to execute our operational strategy while providing us the flexibility to deploy our capital to further enhance shareholder returns through acquisitions, payment of dividends and share repurchases.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our results of operations focuses on the material financial measures we use to evaluate our performance, including revenues, operating earnings and margins, cash flow, and orders and backlog. A consolidated overview is followed by a more detailed review of operating performance for each of our business groups: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Information Systems and Technology. For the Aerospace group, results are analyzed with respect to specific lines of products and services, consistent with how the group is managed. For the defense business groups, the discussion is based on the types of products and services each group offers with supplemental discussion of specific significant contracts and programs that drive the groups results.
In the Aerospace group, we recognize revenue using the percentage-of-completion method. As discussed further in the Application of Critical Accounting Policies section, sales contracts for new aircraft have two major phases: the manufacture of the green aircraft and the aircrafts completion, which includes exterior painting and installation of customer-selected interiors and optional avionics. We record revenues on these contracts at two milestones: when green aircraft are delivered to and accepted by the customer, and when the customer accepts final delivery of the aircraft. Revenues in the Aerospace groups aircraft outfitting and service businesses are recognized as work progresses or upon delivery of the service. Changes in revenues in this group result from the number and mix of new aircraft deliveries (both green and outfitted), the progress toward completion of aircraft outfitting activities, the level of service activity during the period and the number of pre-owned aircraft sold.
In general, operating earnings and margins in the Aerospace group are a function of the prices we charge for our aircraft, our operational efficiency in manufacturing and outfitting the aircraft, and the mix of aircraft deliveries among the higher-margin large-cabin and lower-margin mid-cabin aircraft. Additional factors affecting the groups earnings and margins include the volume and profitability of services work performed, the number and type of pre-owned aircraft sold, and the level of general and administrative costs incurred by the group, which include selling expenses and R&D costs.
In the defense business groups, the majority of the revenues are generated by long-term government contracts. We account for revenues under these contracts using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under this method, revenue is recognized as work progresses, either as products are produced and delivered or as services are rendered. As a result, changes in revenues are generally discussed in terms of volume. Year-over-year variances attributed to volume indicate increases or decreases in revenues due to changes in production or construction activity levels, delivery schedules or levels of services on individual contracts.
Operating earnings and margins in the defense business groups are discussed in terms of changes in revenue volume, performance or contract mix (i.e., higher- vs. lower-margin work). Performance refers to changes in contract earnings rates during the term of the contract based on revisions to estimates of profit at completion on individual contracts. These revisions result from increases or decreases to the estimated value of the contract or the estimated costs required to complete the contract. Contract mix can result in higher or lower earnings and margins due to contract type (e.g., fixed-price/cost-reimbursable) or the phase of work (e.g., development/production) within those contracts. The following discussion of results provides additional disclosure to the extent that a material or unusual event caused a change in the profitability of a contract (e.g., contract losses/claims).
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | Operating Earnings | Revenues | Operating Earnings | Revenues | Operating Earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aerospace |
$ | 5,512 | $ 1,021 | $ | 5,171 | $ 707 | $ | 5,299 | $ 860 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Combat Systems |
8,194 | 1,111 | 9,645 | 1,262 | 8,878 | 1,275 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marine Systems |
5,556 | 521 | 6,363 | 642 | 6,677 | 674 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Information Systems and Technology |
10,038 | 1,075 | 10,802 | 1,151 | 11,612 | 1,219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate |
| (75) | | (87) | | (83) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 29,300 | $ 3,653 | $ | 31,981 | $ 3,675 | $ | 32,466 | $ 3,945 |
20 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW
REVIEW OF 2010 VS. 2009
Year Ended December 31 | 2009 | 2010 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 31,981 | $ | 32,466 | $ | 485 | 1.5 | % | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
3,675 | 3,945 | 270 | 7.3 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
11.5 | % | 12.2 | % |
General Dynamics revenues increased in 2010 compared with 2009, with higher revenues in the Aerospace, Marine Systems and Information Systems and Technology groups offset in part by lower Combat Systems revenues. Aerospace revenues improved primarily due to higher aircraft services volume. Growing activity in Marine Systems U.S. Navy ship programs resulted in increased revenues for the group in 2010. Increases across the Information Systems and Technology portfolio contributed to revenue growth in the group in 2010, particularly in the tactical communication systems and information technology services businesses. Revenues decreased in the Combat Systems group due primarily to reduced volume on U.S. military vehicle programs.
Our operating earnings growth significantly outpaced our sales growth in 2010. Each of our four business groups reported earnings growth compared with 2009. Earnings performance was particularly strong in the Aerospace and Combat Systems groups, both of which realized significant operating leverage in 2010. In the Aerospace group, operating margins were up due to improved pricing on aircraft services work and large-cabin aircraft deliveries, and the absence of pre-owned aircraft losses, which negatively impacted 2009 operating margins. Combat Systems 2010 margin expansion resulted from productivity improvements across the group, particularly in the U.S. military vehicle business, and a favorable contract mix, including reduced engineering and development work. Operating margins were steady in the Marine Systems group and down slightly in the Information Systems and Technology group due to a shift in contract mix. As a result, our overall operating margins increased by 70 basis points in 2010 compared with 2009.
REVIEW OF 2009 VS. 2008
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 29,300 | $ | 31,981 | $ | 2,681 | 9.2 | % | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
3,653 | 3,675 | 22 | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
12.5 | % | 11.5 | % |
In 2009, strong performance in each of our defense businesses more than offset reduced business-jet deliveries in the Aerospace group, resulting in significant top-line revenue growth over 2008. The Combat Systems and Marine Systems groups generated double-digit revenue growth on the strength of military vehicle and shipbuilding and repair programs. In the Information Systems and Technology group, increased volume in each of the groups U.S. operations drove the groups revenue growth. Revenues decreased in the Aerospace group in 2009 following our decision to cut aircraft production and deliveries in response to a significant downturn in the business-jet market.
Our operating earnings increased slightly in 2009 over 2008 as earnings growth in each of our defense businesses was offset by reduced earnings in the Aerospace group. Overall, our operating margins decreased by 100 basis points in 2009 compared with 2008. Operating margins were up significantly in the Marine Systems group due to strong program execution, while margins were steady in the Information Systems and Technology group and down in the Combat Systems and Aerospace groups.
CASH FLOW
Cash flows from operations in 2010 exceeded net earnings for the 12th consecutive year. Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.1 billion in 2008, $2.9 billion in 2009 and $3 billion in 2010. Over the three-year period, we deployed our cash to fund acquisitions and capital expenditures, repurchase our common stock, pay dividends and repay maturing debt. Our net debt, debt less cash and equivalents and marketable securities, was $378 at year-end 2010 compared with
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 21
$1.2 billion at the end of 2009. This decrease in net debt was achieved after the following capital deployment activities: $1.2 billion of share repurchases, $631 of dividends paid, $508 of company-sponsored research and development, $370 of capital expenditures, $335 of contributions to our retirement plans and $233 spent on acquisitions during the year.
BACKLOG AND ESTIMATED POTENTIAL CONTRACT VALUE
Our total backlog, including funded and unfunded portions, was $59.6 billion at the end of 2010 compared with $65.5 billion at year-end 2009. Strong orders across our defense businesses resulted in a book-to-bill ratio (orders divided by revenues) higher than 2009, despite increased revenues in 2010. Orders in our defense businesses were complemented by improving order activity in the Aerospace group, particularly in the second half of the year.
The Aerospace groups total backlog was $17.8 billion at the end of 2010, compared with $19.3 billion at year-end 2009. Aerospace funded backlog was $17.4 billion at the end of 2010 compared with $18.9 billion at the end of 2009. Aerospace funded backlog represents aircraft orders for which we have definitive purchase contracts and deposits from the customer. Net orders, adjusted for customer defaults, increased sequentially each quarter in 2010. However, aircraft deliveries exceeded net orders in 2010, resulting in the backlog decline. The Aerospace unfunded backlog of $378 at the end of 2010 consists of agreements to provide future aircraft maintenance and support services.
The total backlog for our defense businesses decreased in 2010 to $41.8 billion at the end of the year, compared with $46.2 billion at the end of 2009. The defense backlog represents the estimated remaining sales value of work to be performed under firm contracts. Over half of the decline in our defense backlog during 2010 was in Marine Systems, which traditionally receives large, multi-year awards and works down that backlog in subsequent periods. The funded portion of the defense backlog was $25.9 billion at the end of 2010. This includes items that have been authorized and appropriated by the Congress and funded by the customer, as well as commitments by international customers that are similarly approved and funded by their governments. While there is no guarantee that future budgets and appropriations will provide funding for a given program, we have included in the backlog only firm contracts we believe are likely to receive funding.
Our backlog does not include work awarded under unfunded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts, unexercised options associated with existing firm contracts or options to purchase new aircraft, which we refer to collectively as estimated potential contract value.
Customers use IDIQ contracts for several reasons, including expanding the field of available contractors to maximize competition under a given program or when they have not defined the exact timing and quantity of deliveries that will be required at the time the contract is executed. These agreements, which set forth the majority of the contractual terms, including prices, are funded as delivery orders are placed. A significant portion of our estimated potential contract value is composed of multiple-award IDIQ contracts in which we are one of several companies competing for task orders. We include only our estimate of the value we will receive under these arrangements. The estimated contract value also includes IDIQ contracts for which we have been designated as the sole-source supplier to design, develop, produce and integrate complex products and systems over several years for the military or other government agencies. We believe our customers intend to fully implement these products and systems. Because the value of these arrangements is subject to the customers future exercise of an indeterminate quantity of delivery orders, we recognize these contracts in backlog only when they are funded.
Contract options in our defense businesses represent agreements to perform additional work beyond the products and services associated with firm contracts, if the customer exercises the option. These options are negotiated in conjunction with a firm contract and provide the terms under which the customer may elect to procure additional units or services at a future date. Contract options in the Aerospace group represent options to purchase new aircraft and long-term agreements with fleet customers. We recognize options in backlog when the customer exercises the option and establishes a firm order.
On December 31, 2010, the estimated potential contract value associated with these IDIQ contracts and contract options was approximately $21.8 billion, up significantly from $17.6 billion at the end of 2009. This represents our estimate of the potential value we will receive. The actual amount of funding received in the future may be higher or lower. The estimated potential contract value in the Combat Systems group doubled from year-end 2009, while the Information Systems and Technology groups estimated potential contract value increased nearly 20 percent. We expect to realize this value over the next 10 to 15 years, reflecting continued demand for our products and services well into the future.
OTHER INFORMATION
Net interest expense was $66 in 2008, $160 in 2009 and $157 in 2010. Additional debt issued in 2008 and 2009 resulted in the increase from 2008 to 2009. The decrease in 2010 was due largely to the repayment of $700 of fixed-rate notes in the third quarter of 2010.
22 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
We expect net interest expense of approximately $135 to $140 in 2011, subject to capital deployment activities during the year.
Our effective tax rate was 31.2 percent in 2008, 31.5 percent in 2009 and 30.7 percent in 2010. The 2008 rate included a $35, or approximately $0.09 per-share, benefit from the settlement of tax refund litigation, which reduced the 2008 tax rate by 100 basis points. We anticipate an effective tax rate of approximately 31 percent in 2011. For additional discussion of tax matters, see Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In 2008, we entered into an agreement to sell our Spanish nitrocellulose operation and recognized a pretax loss of $11 in discontinued operations in anticipation of the sale. The sale of this operation was completed in 2010. Our reported revenues exclude the revenues associated with this divested business. We have presented the operating results of this business, along with the loss from the sale, as discontinued operations, net of income taxes.
REVIEW OF BUSINESS GROUPS
AEROSPACE
Review of 2010 vs. 2009
Year Ended December 31 | 2009 | 2010 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 5,171 | $ | 5,299 | $ | 128 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
707 | 860 | 153 | 21.6 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
13.7 | % | 16.2 | % | ||||||||||||
Gulfstream aircraft deliveries (in units): |
||||||||||||||||
Green |
94 | 99 | 5 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||
Completion |
110 | 89 | (21 | ) | (19.1 | )% |
The Aerospace groups revenues increased in 2010 compared with 2009 due primarily to steady growth in aircraft services activity throughout the year. Aircraft manufacturing and outfitting revenues remained consistent with 2009 levels, with an increase in manufacturing volume offset by reduced outfitting work. Aircraft manufacturing revenues increased 9 percent in 2010, the result of additional deliveries and a more favorable mix of green Gulfstream aircraft. The decline in aircraft outfitting revenues was associated primarily with the groups completions work for other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), reflecting decreased OEM production across the broader business-jet market.
Aircraft services revenues, which include both Gulfstream and Jet Aviations maintenance and repair work, fixed-base operations and aircraft management services, increased 15 percent in 2010, reflecting the growing installed base of business-jet aircraft and increased utilization as the business-jet market recovers following the economic downturn. Revenues from sales of pre-owned aircraft were down slightly from 2009.
The groups operating earnings improved significantly in 2010 compared with 2009, with improvements in all areas of the groups portfolio. The components of the earnings growth were as follows:
Aircraft manufacturing and outfitting |
$ | 68 | ||
Pre-owned aircraft |
40 | |||
Aircraft services |
29 | |||
SG&A/other |
16 | |||
Total increase in operating earnings |
$ | 153 |
The groups aircraft manufacturing and outfitting earnings were up in 2010 compared with 2009 due to the increase in aircraft manufacturing volume, as well as improved pricing on large-cabin aircraft and mix shift within large-cabin models. This increase was offset in part by reduced liquidated damages associated with fewer customer defaults. Margins for these activities were up 190 basis points compared with 2009.
Pre-owned aircraft earnings improved significantly from 2009, when the group wrote down the carrying value of its pre-owned aircraft inventory. Pricing in the pre-owned market has improved since mid-2009, particularly for large-cabin aircraft, although inventories across the industry remain higher than historic norms. In 2010, the Aerospace group realized modest profits on its pre-owned sales, took no pre-owned aircraft write-downs and ended the year with no pre-owned aircraft in inventory.
Consistent with the increased volume, aircraft services earnings continued to improve from 2009. Margins associated with aircraft services were up 70 basis points in 2010 due to improved marketplace pricing.
The groups operating earnings in 2010 were also favorably impacted by the timing of R&D expenditures and the absence of severance costs associated with workforce reductions in 2009.
As a result of the factors discussed above, the groups overall operating margins increased 250 basis points in 2010 compared with 2009.
Review of 2009 vs. 2008
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 5,512 | $ | 5,171 | $ (341 | ) | (6.2 | )% | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
1,021 | 707 | (314 | ) | (30.8 | )% | ||||||||||
Operating margin |
18.5 | % | 13.7 | % | ||||||||||||
Gulfstream aircraft deliveries (in units): |
||||||||||||||||
Green |
156 | 94 | (62 | ) | (39.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Completion |
152 | 110 | (42 | ) | (27.6 | )% |
The Aerospace groups revenues decreased in 2009, the result of a decline in sales of Gulfstream aircraft that was offset in part by the addition of Jet Aviation, which we acquired in the fourth quarter of 2008. We reduced Gulfstreams 2009 aircraft production, primarily in the groups mid-cabin
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 23
models, in response to the market downturn in late 2008. As a result, aircraft-manufacturing revenues decreased significantly in 2009 compared with 2008. Gulfstream aircraft-services revenues were down in 2009 due to reduced flying hours and customer deferral of aircraft maintenance.
The groups operating earnings declined in 2009 compared with 2008 due primarily to the factors noted above. The earnings decline associated with decreased Gulfstream aircraft deliveries was mitigated by cost-reduction initiatives, liquidated damages collected on defaulted aircraft contracts, and the fact that the majority of the reduction in deliveries was in our lower-margin mid-cabin aircraft. As a result, aircraft manufacturing margins increased in 2009 over 2008 despite the decline in volume during the year. Aircraft services earnings were steady, as the addition of Jet Aviation offset a decrease at Gulfstream. However, competitive marketplace pressures reduced margins. Operating earnings in 2009 were also negatively impacted by losses on pre-owned aircraft inventories and severance costs associated with workforce reductions. Overall, the groups operating margins decreased 480 basis points in 2009 compared with 2008.
Backlog and Estimated Potential Contract Value
The Aerospace group finished 2010 with a total backlog of $17.8 billion, of which $17.4 billion was funded. The group booked the highest number of orders for new aircraft in 2010 since the introduction of the G650 in 2008. Customer demand improved throughout the year, with net orders, adjusted for customer defaults, improving sequentially in each quarter of 2010. However, aircraft deliveries exceeded net orders in 2010, resulting in the backlog decline. We expect net order activity to remain strong in 2011. The groups large-cabin backlog remains well positioned, with an 18- to 24-month period between customer order and aircraft delivery. While improving, conditions in the mid-cabin market remain difficult, though these aircraft represent a small share of the groups portfolio. Order activity has been further strengthened by the groups newest aircraft models, the G650 and the G250. Both of these aircraft continue to perform well in flight testing and remain on track for 2011 aircraft certification. The G250 and the G650 are scheduled to enter service in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Over the past few years, the groups customer base has become increasingly diverse, both in customer type and geographic region. Approximately two-thirds of the groups year-end backlog is composed of private companies and individual buyers, though we are seeing renewed interest from large public companies. While the installed base of aircraft is predominately in North America, international customers comprise nearly 60 percent of the groups backlog, with growing order interest in emerging markets, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region.
Total backlog does not include options to purchase new aircraft or long-term agreements with fleet customers. These arrangements totaled $1.4 billion at the end of 2010 and are included in estimated potential contract value.
2011 Outlook
We expect an increase of approximately 15 to 16 percent in the groups revenues in 2011 compared with 2010, the result of increased large-cabin aircraft deliveries, including initial green deliveries of the G650, and continued growth in aircraft services activity. We expect the Aerospace groups margins to be in the mid- to high-15 percent range, down modestly from 2010, due to reduced liquidated damages associated with fewer customer defaults and increasing service activity.
COMBAT SYSTEMS
Review of 2010 vs. 2009
Year Ended December 31 | 2009 | 2010 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 9,645 | $ | 8,878 | $ | (767 | ) | (8.0 | )% | |||||||
Operating earnings |
1,262 | 1,275 | 13 | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
13.1 | % | 14.4 | % |
The Combat Systems groups revenues were down in 2010 compared with 2009 due to reduced volume in the groups U.S. and European military vehicle businesses. The decrease in the groups revenues consisted of the following:
U.S. military vehicles |
$ | (600) | ||||
Weapons systems and munitions |
6 | |||||
European military vehicles |
(173) | |||||
Total decrease in revenues |
$ | (767) |
In the groups U.S. military vehicle business, lower Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle production and reduced engineering work represented the majority of the decline in revenues from 2009. The groups deliveries of MRAP vehicles have fluctuated over the past two years in response to the customers urgent deployment needs. The reduction in activity on engineering programs related primarily to the 2009 cancellation of the manned ground vehicle portion of the Future Combat Systems (FCS)
24 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
program and decreased volume on the Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV). These declines were offset in part by increased volume on the groups foreign military sales (FMS) contracts to provide light armored vehicles (LAVs) and tanks to international customers.
Revenues were steady in the groups weapons systems and munitions businesses. Increased sales of axles, largely in the military market, and higher demand for the groups propellant products and munitions in Canada, were offset in part by lower armor kit production and the completion of deliveries of detection systems that protect U.S. combat forces from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Revenues in the groups European military vehicle business decreased in 2010 as a result of the ramp-down of the Leopard tank program for the Spanish government and lower activity on the groups Pandur and Piranha vehicle contracts for various international customers. Increased activity on other vehicle contracts, including the EAGLE vehicle for Germany, helped offset these decreases.
Despite the decline in revenues, the Combat Systems groups operating earnings increased slightly in 2010. Productivity improvements across the group, particularly in the U.S. military vehicle business, and a favorable contract mix that included reduced engineering and development work resulted in significant margin improvement in 2010. The groups operating margins increased 130 basis points in 2010 compared with 2009.
Review of 2009 vs. 2008
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 8,194 | $ | 9,645 | $ | 1,451 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
1,111 | 1,262 | 151 | 13.6 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
13.6 | % | 13.1 | % |
In 2009, the Combat Systems groups revenues increased significantly compared with 2008 due to strong contributions from each of the groups businesses. In the groups U.S. military vehicle business, increased Stryker wheeled combat vehicle and Abrams main battle tank volume was the primary contributor of the revenue growth. Revenues were up in the groups weapons systems and munitions businesses due to the acquisition of AxleTech International in December 2008, increased production of armor kits and an increase in deliveries of Hydra-70 rockets. The groups European military vehicle business generated strong revenue growth in 2009 as a result of higher activity on several wheeled vehicle production programs.
The Combat Systems groups operating earnings grew in 2009, though at a lower rate than revenues, resulting in a 50 basis-point decrease in operating margins compared with 2008. The operating margins in 2008 were influenced by a favorable program mix in the U.S. military vehicle business.
Backlog and Estimated Potential Contract Value
The Combat Systems groups total backlog was $11.8 billion at the end of 2010, down from $13.4 billion at year-end 2009. Funded backlog decreased 5 percent in 2010 to $10.9 billion at year end. The groups backlog consists primarily of long-term production contracts that have scheduled deliveries through 2016.
The Armys Stryker wheeled combat vehicle program comprised $1.8 billion of the groups backlog at year end, including the production of vehicles scheduled for delivery through 2012. The group received over $1.7 billion of Stryker orders in 2010, including awards for contractor logistics support, vehicle production and engineering services. Stryker orders in 2010 also included awards for Stryker double-V-hulled vehicles, designed and developed in quick response to the customers urgent deployment requirements.
The groups backlog at the end of 2010 included $1.7 billion for M1 Abrams main battle tank modernization and upgrade programs. These programs include the M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) under which we retrofit Abrams tanks with improved electronics, command-and-control capabilities and armor enhancements that are designed to improve the tanks effectiveness. The group continued work in 2010 on a multi-year contract awarded in 2008 to upgrade the remaining M1A1 Abrams tanks to the SEP configuration. Approximately half of the groups Abrams backlog at year end was for the SEP program. In 2010, the group received awards from the Army totaling $380 for all Abrams-related programs.
The groups backlog at year end also included approximately $400 under the MRAP program, largely for upgrade kits for previously delivered RG-31 vehicles, and $305 for the EFV program.
The Combat Systems group has several significant international military vehicle production contracts in backlog. The backlog at the end of the year included:
| $1.9 billion for LAVs under several FMS contracts, |
| $520 for the production of Pizarro Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicles scheduled for delivery to the Spanish army through 2016, |
| $460 for Pandur vehicles for several international customers, |
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 25
| $215 from the Swiss government to provide Duro wheeled armored personnel vehicles, |
| $200 for the design, integration and production of seven prototypes under the U.K.s Specialist Vehicle program, in addition to the integration work being performed by the Information Systems and Technology group and |
| $180 for a contract with the German government to provide EAGLE IV wheeled military vehicles. |
The Combat Systems groups backlog at year end also included approximately $2.6 billion in weapons systems and munitions programs. In 2010, the group received awards totaling approximately $275 for the production of Hydra-70 rockets. The group also received awards worth approximately $180 from the Canadian government to supply various calibers of ammunition, $150 from the Army for armor for Stryker and Bradley vehicles and $75 from the Army for production of M2A1 machine guns.
Combat Systems backlog does not include approximately $4.6 billion of estimated potential contract value associated with the groups anticipated share of IDIQ contracts and unexercised options. The groups estimated potential contract value doubled since year-end 2009 due to contracts awarded in 2010, including the Specialist Vehicle and Hydra-70 rocket programs.
2011 Outlook
We expect Combat Systems revenues to remain in the $9 billion range in 2011 with growth in international vehicle contracts, steady volume on U.S. weapons and munitions programs, and a reduction in volume on some of the groups U.S. vehicle programs. We expect the groups operating margins to be approximately 14 percent, down modestly from 2010 due to a shift in program mix.
MARINE SYSTEMS
Review of 2010 vs. 2009
Year Ended December 31 | 2009 | 2010 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 6,363 | $ | 6,677 | $ | 314 | 4.9% | |||||||||
Operating earnings |
642 | 674 | 32 | 5.0% | ||||||||||||
Operating margin |
10.1 | % | 10.1 | % |
The Marine Systems groups revenues increased in 2010 compared with 2009 as growth in several U.S. Navy programs offset a decline in commercial ship construction. The increase in revenues consisted of the following:
Multi-year Navy ship construction |
$ | 170 | ||
Other Navy ship design, construction, engineering and repair |
279 | |||
Commercial ship construction |
(135) | |||
Total increase in revenues |
$ | 314 |
The groups multi-year ship-construction programs for the U.S. Navy include Virginia-class submarines, DDG-51 and DDG-1000 destroyers, and T-AKE combat-logistics ships. The principal driver of revenue growth in 2010 was increased activity on the Virginia-class program as the group continued to ramp toward construction of two submarines per year in 2011. The group delivered the seventh boat under the program in 2010 while construction continued on the next five boats. Deliveries of the remaining 11 boats under contract are scheduled through 2018.
In our surface combatant business, volume decreased on the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke program as the current multi-ship contract nears completion. Offsetting this decline was an increase in activity on the groups design and construction contract for the first DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer. The remaining two DDG-51 destroyers under contract are scheduled for delivery in 2011 and 2012, and the first DDG-1000 delivery is scheduled in 2014.
Activity on the groups T-AKE program was down in 2010 as construction continued on the remaining four ships. The group delivered the ninth and 10th ships in 2010, and deliveries of the last four ships are scheduled through 2012. In 2010, the group also began advanced design efforts for the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) program.
In addition to these ship-construction programs, revenues were up significantly in 2010 on the groups engineering programs, particularly work associated with the next-generation ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN). The group is performing initial concept studies, including design of a Common Missile Compartment for both the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. The groups ship repair work has remained steady in 2010 following significant growth in 2009.
In 2010, the group completed construction on the final two ships of a five-ship commercial product-carrier contract. Given the success of this program, the age of the fleet of Jones Act ships and environmental regulations that require double-hull tankers and impose emission control limits, we anticipate additional commercial shipbuilding opportunities as the economy recovers.
The Marine Systems groups operating earnings increased in 2010 consistent with the increase in revenues. Operating margins remained steady compared with 2009, though the group is undergoing a shift in contract mix. Activity on the groups destroyer programs is moving from the fixed-price DDG-51 program to the cost-reimbursable DDG-1000 contract, and the Virginia-class program is transitioning from the mature Block II contract to the Block III contract. Favorable performance on the T-AKE and commercial product carrier programs in 2010 helped offset this mix shift.
26 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
Review of 2009 vs. 2008
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 5,556 | $ | 6,363 | $ | 807 | 14.5 | % | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
521 | 642 | 121 | 23.2 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
9.4 | % | 10.1 | % |
Revenues were up significantly in 2009 across the Marine Systems group. Increased activity on the Virginia-class program in preparation of starting construction of two submarines per year contributed almost two-thirds of the groups increase in 2009 revenues. Volume also increased on the DDG-1000 and the groups engineering and repair programs for the Navy. Lower activity on the DDG-51 and T-AKE programs slightly offset the other volume increases in the group in 2009.
The Marine Systems groups operating earnings increased significantly in 2009. As a result of operational efficiencies realized at each of its businesses, the group increased program earnings rates in 2009 on the Virginia-class, DDG-51, DDG-1000 and commercial product carrier programs. These improvements increased the groups overall margins by 70 basis points in 2009, a significant improvement following a 100-basis point margin increase in 2008.
Backlog and Estimated Potential Contract Value
The Marine Systems groups backlog consists of long-term submarine and ship construction programs, as well as numerous repair and engineering contracts. The group generally receives large contract awards that provide backlog for several years. For example, in 2008, the group received a $14 billion contract for the construction of eight Virginia-class submarines to be delivered through 2018, increasing backlog to an all-time high of $26.4 billion at the end of 2008. Consistent with this historical pattern, as the group has performed on these multi-year contracts, the backlog has decreased to $20.1 billion at year-end 2010. The groups funded backlog was $7.1 billion at the end of both 2009 and 2010.
The Virginia-class submarine program was the groups largest program in 2010 and is the largest contract in the groups backlog. The groups backlog at year end included $13.7 billion for 11 Virginia-class submarines. As the prime contractor on the Virginia-class program, we report the entire backlog and revenues associated with the program but share the construction activity and the earnings with our teaming partner.
Navy destroyer programs represent another significant component of the groups backlog. These include the Arleigh Burke-class DDG-51 and Zumwalt-class DDG-1000 destroyer programs. The groups backlog at the end of 2010 included $855 for the ongoing design effort and construction of the first DDG-1000. In 2010, the group received approximately $420 in orders under the DDG-1000 program, including continued engineering and support services, long-lead construction for the second ship and long-lead material for the third ship. The group expects to be awarded construction contracts for the second and third DDG-1000 ships in 2011. At year end, the backlog also included approximately $220 for the remaining two DDG-51 destroyers under contract. The Navy plans to continue the DDG-51 program, and the group expects to receive an award for an additional DDG-51 in 2011 following funding for long-lead material for this ship in 2010.
The Marine Systems groups backlog at year end included approximately $965 for the four remaining ships under the Navys T-AKE combat-logistics ship program. In 2010, we received construction contracts for the last two ships of the program. The year-end backlog also included approximately $340 for the groups second ship under the Navys Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, scheduled for delivery in 2012, and $95 for the MLP program. The Navy plans to build three MLP auxiliary support ships, and the contract for construction of the first ship is scheduled to be awarded in 2011.
In addition, the Marine Systems groups backlog at year end included approximately $3.9 billion for engineering, repair, overhaul and other services, including engineering and design efforts for the next-generation SSBN.
2011 Outlook
We expect the Marine Systems groups revenues in 2011 to remain near 2010 levels as increased Virginia-class production and submarine engineering activity is offset by lower DDG-51, T-AKE and commercial volume. We expect the groups operating margins to decline to the low-9 percent range due to the continued mix shift in ship-construction programs.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 27
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
Review of 2010 vs. 2009
Year Ended December 31 | 2009 | 2010 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 10,802 | $ | 11,612 | $ | 810 | 7.5 | % | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
1,151 | 1,219 | 68 | 5.9 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
10.7 | % | 10.5 | % |
The Information Systems and Technology group generated strong top-line growth in 2010, with over 5 percent organic growth. The increase in revenues over 2009 was driven by the groups tactical communication systems and information technology services businesses:
Tactical communication systems |
$ | 421 | ||
Information technology (IT) services |
342 | |||
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems |
47 | |||
Total increase in revenues |
$ | 810 |
Revenues in the tactical communication systems business increased significantly in 2010 due to higher volume in battlefield communication programs, in particular the Warfighter Information NetworkTactical (WIN-T) mobile communication network, and ruggedized computing products. Revenues in the groups United Kingdom-based operations also increased in 2010 as work began on the demonstration phase of the U.K. Ministry of Defence Specialist Vehicle program.
In the IT services business, volume increased on the groups IT support and modernization programs for the intelligence community and the Network-Centric Solutions (NETCENTS) program, which provides network support for federal agencies. Revenues also increased in this business as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) facility changes, including work on the New Campus East (NCE) contract for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center relocation and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital outfitting for the Army.
Revenues were up in 2010 compared with 2009 in the groups ISR business as a result of the acquisition of Axsys Technologies, Inc., in the third quarter of 2009. The group also experienced growth in cyber-related programs across its businesses in 2010, including systems that prevent network attacks, increase situational awareness and reduce network vulnerability.
The Information Systems and Technology groups operating earnings increased in 2010, although at a slightly lower rate than revenues, resulting in a modest decrease in margins compared with 2009. The reduction in margins resulted from a shift in the groups contract mix to include a growing proportion of IT services work.
Review of 2009 vs. 2008
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | Variance | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 10,038 | $ | 10,802 | $ | 764 | 7.6 | % | ||||||||
Operating earnings |
1,075 | 1,151 | 76 | 7.1 | % | |||||||||||
Operating margin |
10.7 | % | 10.7 | % |
The Information Systems and Technology group generated revenue growth in each of the groups market segments in 2009. Organic growth of more than 4 percent was augmented by acquisitions in the groups IT services and ISR businesses. Revenues increased on the WIN-T program and ground-based satellite communications programs in the groups tactical communication business. In the IT services business, higher volume on several IT infrastructure and support contracts, including NCE and NETCENTS, accounted for the increase in revenues. Growing levels of cyber security-related work and higher activity on several classified programs contributed to the growth in the groups ISR business.
Operating earnings increased in line with revenues in 2009, resulting in operating margins of 10.7 percent, consistent with 2008. Higher margins in the tactical communications and ISR businesses due to improved performance and a favorable shift in contract mix were offset by decreased margins in the IT services business.
Backlog and Estimated Potential Contract Value
The Information Systems and Technology group received the highest level of orders in the groups history in 2010, generating a book-to-bill ratio of nearly one-to-one. As a result, the group ended the year with a backlog of $9.8 billion after reporting record-level revenues in 2010. The groups backlog does not include approximately $15.2 billion of estimated potential contract value associated with its anticipated share of IDIQ contracts and unexercised options. In 2010, funding under IDIQ contracts and options contributed over $4.3 billion to the groups backlog, or nearly 40 percent of the groups orders. The estimated potential contract value in the Information Systems and Technology group increased nearly 20
28 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
percent from year-end 2009, due most notably to unexercised options associated with the U.K. Specialist Vehicle and combat and seaframe control systems for the Independence Class of ships under the LCS program. When combined with backlog, the groups total estimated potential contract value increased by 8 percent over 2009 to $25 billion.
Unlike our other defense businesses, the Information Systems and Technology groups backlog consists of thousands of contracts that largely have to be reconstituted each year with new program and task order awards. While the group has relatively few large-scale, long-term programs, there are several significant contracts that provide a solid foundation for the business.
Programs for the U.K. Ministry of Defence comprised approximately $835 of the groups backlog at the end of 2010, most notably the BOWMAN and the Specialist Vehicle programs. The group has successfully fielded the BOWMAN communications system, the secure digital voice and data communications system for the U.K. armed forces, and is now performing maintenance and long-term support and enhancement activities for the program. In 2010, the Ministry of Defence awarded the group a contract for the demonstration phase of its Specialist Vehicle program. In this phase, the group will manage the design, integration and production of seven prototype vehicles. Work and the backlog under the contract are shared with the Combat Systems group, including a significant portion of the future vehicle production effort.
The groups backlog at year-end 2010 included approximately $645 for the Armys WIN-T program. Information Systems and Technology is the prime contractor on this battlefield communications network designed to provide warfighters with fast, secure, mobile command-and-control capabilities. In 2010, the group received approximately $405 of awards for WIN-T, bringing the total program value to $2.7 billion. The backlog does not include $920 of estimated potential contract value for the WIN-T program awarded under an IDIQ format.
Approximately $340 of the groups backlog at year end was for the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP). Under the MHP program, the group is providing integrated mission systems, training and support for 28 state-of-the-art helicopters that are intended to replace Canadas aging fleet of marine helicopters.
The Information Systems and Technology groups backlog at year end also included approximately $225 for the Common Hardware/Software III (CHS-3) program to provide commercial and ruggedized computers, network equipment and software to the U.S. armed forces and other U.S. federal agencies. In 2010, the group received over $500 in orders under this program, bringing the total contract value to more than $2.4 billion.
The groups backlog at the end of 2010 included approximately $960 for a number of facility infrastructure and support programs, including NCE, NETCENTS, and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Mark Center facilities.
In addition to these programs, the group received a number of significant contract awards in 2010, including the following:
| $240 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment (SGSS) project to modernize the ground segment of the satellite communications network used by NASA. |
| $190 for the Warfighter Field Operations Customer Support (FOCUS) program to provide support for the Armys live, virtual and constructive training operations. |
| $150 from Austal USA for design, integration and testing of combat and seaframe control systems for one LCS. The contract includes options for nine additional ships that are scheduled to be exercised over the next five years and are included in the groups estimated potential contract value. |
| $110 for the Armys Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) radio program, bringing the total contract value to over $700. |
| $80 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to design, manufacture and install antennas for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R (GOES-R). |
| $55 from the Department of Homeland Securitys U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to analyze and reduce cyber threats and vulnerabilities. |
Information Systems and Technology was awarded several significant IDIQ contracts during 2010, including the following:
| One of 46 awards from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the Information Technology Supplies and Support Services (ITSSS) program to provide technical services and engage in developmental projects and programs. The program has a maximum potential value of $30 billion among all awardees over eight years. |
| One of 11 awards under the Defense Intelligence Agencys (DIA) Solutions for the Information Technology Enterprise (SITE) program. The program has a maximum potential value of $6.6 billion among all awardees over five years. |
| One of five awards under the Missile Defense Agency Engineering and Support Services (MiDAESS) program to provide systems engineering and testing services. The program has a maximum potential value of $1.6 billion among all awardees over five years. |
| One of three awards under the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) System Engineering 2020 Research and Development/Mission Analysis Support program. Our award under this program has a maximum potential value of $1.2 billion over 10 years. |
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 29
| One of 14 awards from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to develop satellite-based intelligence-gathering technology for the Total Application Services for Enterprise Requirements (TASER) program. The program has a maximum potential value of $1 billion among all awardees over five years. |
| One of three awards under the Navys Common Afloat Local Area Network Infrastructure (CALI) program to provide ships and submarines with secure hardware, software and networking equipment. The program has a maximum potential value of $500 among all awardees. |
| One of five contracts to support several of the Armys healthcare construction projects, including modernization of current Army medical facilities and transition to newly constructed facilities. The program has a maximum potential value of over $400 among all awardees over four years. |
2011 Outlook
We expect revenues in the Information Systems and Technology group to grow approximately 3 to 5 percent in 2011. We expect each of the groups businesses to contribute to the growth, particularly in the areas of IT support services for intelligence and federal civilian customers, and tactical communication systems. The groups operating margins are expected to decline slightly but remain above 10 percent based on the projected contract mix in 2011.
CORPORATE
Corporate results consist primarily of compensation expense for stock options. Corporate operating expenses totaled $75 in 2008, $87 in 2009 and $83 in 2010. (See Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our stock options.) We expect 2011 Corporate operating expenses of approximately $90 to $95.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
In the mid-1990s, General Dynamics embarked on a strategy of disciplined capital deployment, generating strong cash flow to enable a series of acquisitions designed to grow the company beyond our core platform businesses. This has resulted in a larger, more diversified company incorporating new products and technologies that meet the needs of an expanded customer base. We continue to place a strong emphasis on cash generation and capital allocation and deployment. This focus has afforded us the financial flexibility to deploy our cash resources to generate shareholder value while preserving a strong balance sheet to position us for future opportunities.
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 3,124 | $ | 2,855 | $ | 2,986 | ||||||
Net cash used by investing activities |
(3,663 | ) | (1,392 | ) | (408 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used by financing activities |
(718 | ) | (806 | ) | (2,226 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used by discontinued operations |
(13 | ) | (15 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents |
(1,270 | ) | 642 | 350 | ||||||||
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year |
2,891 | 1,621 | 2,263 | |||||||||
Cash and equivalents at end of year |
1,621 | 2,263 | 2,613 | |||||||||
Marketable securities |
143 | 360 | 212 | |||||||||
Short- and long-term debt |
(4,024 | ) | (3,864 | ) | (3,203 | ) | ||||||
Net debt (a) |
$ | (2,260 | ) | $ | (1,241 | ) | $ | (378 | ) | |||
Debt-to-equity (b) |
40.0 | % | 31.1 | % | 24.1 | % | ||||||
Debt-to-capital (c) |
28.6 | % | 23.7 | % | 19.4 | % |
(a) | Net debt is calculated as total debt less cash and equivalents and marketable securities. |
(b) | Debt-to-equity ratio is calculated as total debt divided by total equity. |
(c) | Debt-to-capital ratio is calculated as total debt divided by the sum of total debt plus total equity. |
Our cash balances are invested primarily in time deposits from highly rated banks, commercial paper rated A1/P1 or higher and repurchase agreements with direct obligations of the Spanish government as collateral. Our marketable securities balances are invested primarily in term deposits and high-quality corporate, municipal and U.S. government-sponsored debt securities. The marketable securities have an average duration of two months and an average credit rating of AA. We have not incurred any material losses associated with these investments.
The following is a discussion of our major operating, investing and financing activities for each of the past three years, as classified on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
30 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
We generated cash from operating activities of $3.1 billion in 2008, $2.9 billion in 2009 and $3 billion in 2010. In all three years, the operating cash flow was attributed primarily to net earnings. In 2008 and 2009, increasing levels of customer deposits, particularly in the Aerospace group, reduced our operating working capital (OWC) and increased our operating cash flow. In addition, 2009 cash from operating activities reflected the collection of approximately $150 from the Czech Republic after we signed a renegotiated contract to provide Pandur II wheeled vehicles.
Termination of A-12 Program. As discussed further in Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements, litigation on the A-12 program termination has been ongoing since 1991. If, contrary to our expectations, the default termination ultimately is sustained and the government prevails on its recovery theories, we, along with 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 $1.5 billion at December 31, 2010. If this were the outcome, we would owe half of the total, or approximately $1.4 billion pretax. Our after-tax cash obligation would be approximately $725. We believe we have sufficient resources, including access to capital markets, to pay such an obligation, if required.
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
We used $3.7 billion in 2008, $1.4 billion in 2009 and $408 in 2010 for investing activities. The primary uses of cash in investing activities were business acquisitions, capital expenditures and purchases of marketable securities. Investing activities also include proceeds received from the sale of assets and marketable securities.
Business Acquisitions. In 2008, we completed five acquisitions for a total of $3.2 billion. In 2009, we completed two acquisitions for $811. In 2010, we completed three acquisitions for $233. We financed these acquisitions using cash on hand and commercial paper. (See Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the acquisitions.)
Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures were $490 in 2008, $385 in 2009 and $370 in 2010. The decrease in 2009 and 2010 compared with 2008 resulted from the completion of several major facility improvement projects in the Aerospace and Marine Systems groups. During 2010, the Aerospace group announced a new $500, seven-year facilities expansion project at the groups Savannah campus. We expect capital expenditures of approximately $550 in 2011, less than 2 percent of revenues.
Marketable Securities. As a result of lower market interest rates, we have expanded our investments in available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities in recent years to generate additional return. Net sales/maturities of these securities were $17 in 2008 compared with net purchases of $235 in 2009 and net sales/maturities of $115 in 2010.
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
We used $718 in 2008, $806 in 2009 and $2.2 billion in 2010 for financing activities. Our financing activities include issuances and repayments of debt, payment of dividends and repurchases of common stock. Net cash from financing activities also includes proceeds received from stock option exercises.
Debt Proceeds, Net. In 2008, we issued $904 of commercial paper, primarily to fund acquisitions during the year. During that year we also repaid $500 of fixed-rate notes, $150 of senior notes and $20 of term debt on their scheduled maturity dates. We issued $1 billion of five-year fixed-rate notes in December 2008 and another $750 of two-year fixed-rate notes in June 2009. We used the proceeds from the fixed-rate notes for general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements, capital expenditures and to term out our commercial paper borrowings. In August 2010, we repaid $700 of fixed-rate notes on their scheduled maturity date.
We ended 2010 with no commercial paper outstanding, and our total debt balance was down approximately $660 from 2009, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.1 percent, down 7 percentage points from year-end 2009. We have approximately $2 billion in bank credit facilities that have not been drawn upon. These facilities provide backup liquidity to our commercial paper program. We also have an effective shelf registration on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The next material repayment of long-term debt is $750 of fixed-rate notes scheduled to mature in July of 2011. As we approach the maturity date, we will determine whether to repay these notes with cash on hand or refinance the obligation. (See Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our debt obligations, including scheduled debt maturities.)
Dividends. Our board of directors declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.42 per share on March 3, 2010, the 13th consecutive annual increase. The board had previously increased the quarterly dividend to $0.38 per share in March 2009 and $0.35 per share in March 2008.
Share Repurchases. Our board of directors has historically supported managements tactical repurchase of our shares, typically in repurchase authorizations of 10 million-share increments. We repurchased 20 million shares on the open market in 2008, 3.6 million shares in 2009 and 18.9 million shares in 2010. As a result, we reduced our shares outstanding by 3.5 percent in the past year and by 8 percent since 2008. On February 2, 2011, the board authorized management to repurchase up to an additional 10 million shares, about 3 percent of our total shares outstanding. We expect to continue to repurchase shares as part of our capital deployment activities in the future.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 31
NON-GAAP MANAGEMENT METRICS
We emphasize the efficient conversion of net earnings into cash and the deployment of that cash to maximize shareholder returns. In 2010, for the 12th consecutive year, net cash provided by operating activities exceeded net earnings. We deployed this cash to complete acquisitions, continue our trend of annual dividend increases and repurchase our outstanding shares. As described below, we use free cash flow and return on invested capital (ROIC) to measure our ability to efficiently convert net earnings into cash and to earn a return on the deployment of that capital.
Free Cash Flow. We define free cash flow from operations as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. We believe free cash flow from operations is a useful measure for investors, because it portrays our ability to generate cash from our core businesses for purposes such as repaying maturing debt, funding business acquisitions, repurchasing our common stock and paying dividends. We use free cash flow from operations to assess the quality of our earnings and as a performance measure in evaluating management. The following table reconciles the free cash flow from operations with net cash provided by operating activities, as classified on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 2,156 | $ | 2,952 | $ | 3,124 | $ | 2,855 | $ | 2,986 | ||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(334 | ) | (474 | ) | (490 | ) | (385 | ) | (370 | ) | ||||||||||
Free cash flow from operations |
$ | 1,822 | $ | 2,478 | $ | 2,634 | $ | 2,470 | $ | 2,616 | ||||||||||
Cash flow as a percentage of earnings from continuing operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
126 | % | 142 | % | 126 | % | 119 | % | 114 | % | ||||||||||
Free cash flow from operations |
107 | % | 119 | % | 106 | % | 103 | % | 100 | % |
Over the past five years, we have generated free cash flow from operations well in excess of our earnings from continuing operations during the period, an average 106 percent conversion rate. We expect to continue to generate funds in excess of our short- and long-term liquidity needs. We believe we have adequate funds on hand and sufficient borrowing capacity to execute our financial and operating strategy.
Return on Invested Capital. We believe ROIC is a useful measure for investors, because it reflects our ability to generate returns from the capital we have deployed in our operations. We use ROIC to evaluate investment decisions and as a performance measure in evaluating management. We define ROIC as net operating profit after taxes divided by the sum of the average debt and shareholders equity for the year. Net operating profit after taxes is defined as earnings from continuing operations plus after-tax interest and amortization expense. As a result of our continued focus on cash generation and disciplined capital deployment, ROIC has grown 190 basis points since 2006. ROIC for 2006 through 2010 is calculated as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
$ | 1,710 | $ | 2,080 | $ | 2,478 | $ | 2,407 | $ | 2,628 | ||||||||||
After-tax interest expense |
106 | 89 | 91 | 117 | 116 | |||||||||||||||
After-tax amortization expense |
90 | 99 | 100 | 149 | 155 | |||||||||||||||
Net operating profit after taxes |
1,906 | 2,268 | 2,669 | 2,673 | 2,899 | |||||||||||||||
Average debt and equity |
$ | 12,220 | $ | 13,430 | $ | 14,390 | $ | 15,003 | $ | 16,587 | ||||||||||
Return on invested capital |
15.6 | % | 16.9 | % | 18.5 | % | 17.8 | % | 17.5 | % |
32 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
On December 31, 2010, other than operating leases, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements, including guarantees; retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to unconsolidated entities; derivative instruments indexed to our stock and classified in shareholders equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet; or variable interests in entities that provide us with financing, liquidity, market-risk or credit-risk support or engage with us in leasing, hedging or research and development services.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
The following tables present information about our contractual obligations and commercial commitments on December 31, 2010:
Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations | Total Amount Committed | Less Than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 4-5 Years | More Than 5 Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (a) |
$ 3,620 | $ 905 | $ 1,240 | $ 1,466 | $ 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital lease obligations |
2 | 1 | 1 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating leases |
914 | 187 | 259 | 151 | 317 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase obligations (b) |
22,460 | 11,218 | 6,468 | 2,762 | 2,012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities (c) |
14,516 | 2,247 | 2,172 | 1,759 | 8,338 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ 41,512 | $ 14,558 | $ 10,140 | $ 6,138 | $ 10,676 |
(a) | Includes scheduled interest payments. See Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of long-term debt. |
(b) | Includes amounts committed under legally enforceable agreements for goods and services with defined terms as to quantity, price and timing of delivery. This amount includes $17.2 billion of purchase orders for products and services to be delivered under firm government contracts under which we have full recourse under normal contract termination clauses. |
(c) | Represents other long-term liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, including the current portion of these liabilities. The projected timing of cash flows associated with these obligations is based on management's estimates, which are based largely on historical experience. This amount also includes all liabilities under our defined-benefit retirement plans, as discussed in Note P. See Note P for information regarding the plan assets available to satisfy these liabilities. Retirement plan assets and liabilities are presented net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet on a plan-by-plan basis. |
Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Commitments | Total Amount Committed | Less Than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 4-5 Years | More Than 5 Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Letters of credit* |
$ 1,610 | $ 510 | $ 663 | $ 216 | $ 221 |
* | See Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of letters of credit and aircraft trade-in options. |
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Managements Discussion and Analysis of our Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires that we 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, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to long-term contracts and programs, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes, pensions and other post-retirement benefits, workers compensation, warranty obligations, pre-owned aircraft inventory, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe 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.
We believe the following policies are critical and require the use of significant business judgment in their application:
Revenue Recognition. We account for revenues and earnings in our defense and aerospace businesses using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method, we recognize contract revenue as the work progresses, either as the products are produced and delivered or as services are rendered, as applicable. We estimate profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognize that profit
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 33
over the remaining life of the contract based on either input measures (e.g., costs incurred) or output measures (e.g., contract milestones or units delivered), as appropriate to the circumstances. Where an interim output measure is reliably determinable and representative of progress toward completion, we use such output measures. Otherwise, we use input measures.
We generally measure progress toward completion on contracts in our defense businesses based on the proportion of costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion or based on unit deliveries under the contract. Our contracts for the manufacture of business-jet aircraft usually provide for two major phases: the manufacture of the green aircraft (i.e., before exterior painting and installation of customer-selected interiors and optional avionics) and its completion. We record revenue at two contractual milestones: when green aircraft are delivered to, and accepted by, the customer and when the customer accepts final delivery of the fully outfitted aircraft. We do 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 and other factors.
We include revisions of estimated profits on contracts in earnings under the reallocation method rather than the cumulative catch-up method. Under the reallocation method, the impact of revisions in estimates is recognized prospectively over the remaining contract term, 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, we recognize the loss in the period it is identified. Anticipated losses cover all costs allocable to the contracts, including general and administrative expenses on government contracts.
We use the reallocation method because we believe the majority of factors that typically result in changes in estimates of total contract revenue, total costs or the extent of progress toward completion on our long-term contracts affect both the period in which the change is identified and future periods. We believe these changes generally reflect expectations as to future performance and, therefore, the reallocation method is the method that best matches our revenues and earnings in the periods in which they are earned. While we have applied this method consistently for more than 30 years, most contractors use the cumulative catch-up method.
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 or other disputes. Contract 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, the cost and availability of materials, the impact of delayed performance, the availability and timing of funding from the customer, and the timing of product deliveries. These estimates are based on our best judgment. A significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of one or more of our contracts. We review our contract estimates regularly to assess revisions in contract values and estimated costs at completion and reflect changes in estimates in the current and future periods under the reallocation method.
We recognize revenue arising from claims either as income or as an offset against a potential loss only when the amount of the claim can be estimated reliably and its realization is probable. In evaluating these criteria, we consider the contractual/legal basis for the claim, the cause of any additional costs incurred, the reasonableness of those costs and the objective evidence available to support the claim. We recognize revenue from award or incentive fees when there is a basis to reasonably estimate the amount of the fee. Estimates of award or incentive fees are based on actual award experience and anticipated performance.
Goodwill. Since 1995, we have acquired 57 businesses at a total cost of approximately $21 billion, including three in 2010. In connection with these acquisitions, we have recognized $12.6 billion of goodwill. Goodwill represents the purchase price paid in excess of the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an impairment test on an annual basis and when circumstances indicate that an impairment is more likely than not.
The test for goodwill impairment is a two-step process that requires a significant level of estimation by management, particularly the estimate of the fair value of our reporting units. These estimates require the use of judgment. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units based on the discounted projected cash flows of the underlying operations. This requires numerous assumptions, including the timing of work embedded in our backlog, our performance and profitability under our contracts, our success in securing future business and the appropriate interest rate used to discount the projected cash flows. This discounted cash flow analysis is corroborated by top-down analyses, including a market assessment of our enterprise value. Beyond the annual impairment test, we review for factors on a quarterly basis that may lead us to perform a goodwill impairment test, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate for one of our reporting units or a decision to dispose of a reporting unit or a significant portion of a reporting unit. We have recorded no goodwill impairment to date and do not anticipate any reasonably possible circumstances that would lead to an impairment in the foreseeable future. The fair value of each of our reporting units on December 31, 2010, substantially exceeded its carrying value.
Commitments and Contingencies. We are subject to litigation and other legal proceedings arising either out of the ordinary course of our business or under provisions relating to the protection of the environment. Estimating liabilities and costs associated with these matters requires the use of judgment. We record a charge against earnings when a liability associated with claims or pending or threatened litigation matters is probable and when our exposure is reasonably estimable. The ultimate resolution of our exposure related to these matters may change as further facts and circumstances become known.
34 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
Deferred Contract Costs. Certain costs incurred in the performance of our government contracts are recorded under GAAP but are not currently allocable to contracts. Such costs include a portion of our estimated workers compensation obligations, other insurance-related assessments, pension and other post-retirement benefits, and environmental expenses. These costs will become allocable to contracts generally after they are paid. We have elected to defer (or inventory) these costs in contracts in process until they can be allocated to contracts and recovered from the government. We expect to recover these costs through ongoing business, including existing backlog and probable follow-on contracts. This business base includes numerous contracts for which we are the sole source or one of two suppliers on long-term defense programs. We regularly assess the probability of recovery of these costs under our current and probable follow-on contracts. This assessment requires that we make assumptions about future contract costs, the extent of cost recovery under our contracts and the amount of future contract activity. These estimates are based on our best judgment. If the backlog in the future does not support the continued deferral of these costs, the profitability of our remaining contracts could be adversely affected.
Retirement Plans. Our defined-benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit costs and obligations depend on a series of assumptions and estimates. The key assumptions relate to the interest rates used to discount estimated future liabilities and projected long-term rates of return on plan assets. We determine the discount rate used each year based on the rate of return currently available on a portfolio of high-quality fixed-income investments with a maturity that is consistent with the projected benefit payout period. We determine the long-term rate of return on assets based on historical returns and the current and expected asset allocation strategy. These estimates are based on our best judgment, including consideration of current and future market conditions. In the event a change in any of the assumptions is warranted, future pension and post-retirement benefit cost could increase or decrease. For the impact of hypothetical changes in the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for our commercial pension and post-retirement benefit plans, see Note P to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As discussed under Deferred Contract Costs, our contractual arrangements with the U.S. government provide for the recovery of benefit costs for our government retirement plans. We have elected to defer recognition of the benefit costs that cannot currently be allocated to contracts to provide a better matching of revenues and expenses. Accordingly, the impact on the retirement benefit cost for these plans that results from annual changes in assumptions does not impact our future earnings either positively or negatively.
We believe that our judgment is applied consistently and produces financial information that fairly depicts the results of operations for all periods presented.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk, primarily from foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, commodity prices and investments. See Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of these risks. The following discussion quantifies the market risk exposure arising from hypothetical changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
Foreign Currency Risk
We had $1.8 billion in notional forward foreign exchange contracts outstanding on December 31, 2009, and $4.2 billion on December 31, 2010. The increase in the amount of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts is due to significant international contract awards in 2010. A 10 percent unfavorable exchange rate movement in our portfolio of foreign currency forward contracts would have resulted in the following incremental pretax gains and losses:
Gain (loss) | 2009 | 2010 | ||||||
Recognized |
$ | 4 | $ | 4 | ||||
Unrecognized |
(79 | ) | (289) |
This exchange-rate sensitivity relates primarily to changes in the U.S. dollar/Canadian dollar, euro/Canadian dollar and euro/pound Sterling exchange rates. We believe these hypothetical recognized and unrecognized gains and losses would be offset by corresponding losses and gains in the remeasurement of the underlying transactions being hedged. We believe these forward contracts and the offsetting underlying commitments, when taken together, do not create material market risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Our financial instruments subject to interest rate risk include fixed-rate long-term debt obligations and variable-rate commercial paper. On December 31, 2010, we had $3.1 billion par value of fixed-rate debt. We had no commercial paper outstanding on December 31, 2010. Our fixed-rate debt obligations are not putable, and we do not trade these securities in the market. A 10 percent unfavorable interest rate movement would not have a material impact on the fair value of our debt obligations.
Investment Risk
Our investment policy allows for purchases of fixed-income securities with an investment-grade rating and a maximum maturity of one year. On December 31, 2010, we held $2.8 billion in cash and equivalents and marketable securities. Our marketable securities have an average duration of two months and an average credit rating of AA. Given that our investments had an aggregate weighted average maturity of less than one month on December 31, 2010, a 10 percent unfavorable interest rate movement would have no immediate material impact on the value of the holdings. Historically, we have not experienced material gains or losses on these instruments due to changes in interest rates or market values.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 35
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
Year Ended December 31
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts) | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Products |
$ | 20,185 | $ | 21,977 | $ | 21,619 | ||||||||||||||||||
Services |
9,115 | 10,004 | 10,847 | |||||||||||||||||||||
29,300 | 31,981 | 32,466 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Products |
16,230 | 17,808 | 17,253 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Services |
7,698 | 8,544 | 9,304 | |||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
1,719 | 1,954 | 1,964 | |||||||||||||||||||||
25,647 | 28,306 | 28,521 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings |
3,653 | 3,675 | 3,945 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest, net |
(66 | ) | (160 | ) | (157 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other, net |
17 | (2 | ) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes |
3,604 | 3,513 | 3,790 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes, net |
1,126 | 1,106 | 1,162 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
2,478 | 2,407 | 2,628 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax |
(19 | ) | (13 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 2,459 | $ | 2,394 | $ | 2,624 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings per share |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 6.26 | $ | 6.24 | $ | 6.89 | ||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
(0.05 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 6.21 | $ | 6.21 | $ | 6.88 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 6.22 | $ | 6.20 | $ | 6.82 | ||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
(0.05 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 6.17 | $ | 6.17 | $ | 6.81 |
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
36 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
December 31
|
||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | 2009 | 2010 | ||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and equivalents |
$ | 2,263 | $ | 2,613 | ||||
Accounts receivable |
3,678 | 3,848 | ||||||
Contracts in process |
4,449 | 4,873 | ||||||
Inventories |
2,126 | 2,158 | ||||||
Other current assets |
733 | 694 | ||||||
Total current assets |
13,249 | 14,186 | ||||||
Noncurrent assets: |
||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
2,912 | 2,971 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
2,098 | 1,992 | ||||||
Goodwill |
12,269 | 12,649 | ||||||
Other assets |
549 | 747 | ||||||
Total noncurrent assets |
17,828 | 18,359 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 31,077 | $ | 32,545 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 705 | $ | 773 | ||||
Accounts payable |
2,365 | 2,736 | ||||||
Customer advances and deposits |
4,313 | 4,465 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
2,988 | 3,203 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
10,371 | 11,177 | ||||||
Noncurrent liabilities: |
||||||||
Long-term debt |
3,159 | 2,430 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
5,124 | 5,622 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (see Note N) |
||||||||
Total noncurrent liabilities |
8,283 | 8,052 | ||||||
Shareholders equity: |
||||||||
Common stock |
482 | 482 | ||||||
Surplus |
1,518 | 1,729 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
15,093 | 17,076 | ||||||
Treasury stock |
(3,463) | (4,535) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(1,207) | (1,436) | ||||||
Total shareholders equity |
12,423 | 13,316 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 31,077 | $ | 32,545 |
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 37
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31
|
||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 2,459 | $ | 2,394 | $ | 2,624 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities- |
||||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
301 | 344 | 345 | |||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
146 | 218 | 224 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
105 | 117 | 118 | |||||||||
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation |
(31) | (5) | (18) | |||||||||
Deferred income tax provision |
196 | 227 | 56 | |||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax |
19 | 13 | 4 | |||||||||
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of effects of business acquisitions- |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(386) | (151) | (152) | |||||||||
Contracts in process |
73 | (112) | (334) | |||||||||
Inventories |
(183) | (72) | (23) | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions- |
||||||||||||
Accounts payable |
(38) | (92) | 366 | |||||||||
Customer advances and deposits |
849 | 145 | 30 | |||||||||
Other current liabilities |
(203) | (306) | (285) | |||||||||
Other, net |
(183) | 135 | 31 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
3,124 | 2,855 | 2,986 | |||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||
Maturities of held-to-maturity securities |
| | 605 | |||||||||
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities |
| (337) | (468) | |||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(490) | (385) | (370) | |||||||||
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
(3,224) | (811) | (233) | |||||||||
Purchases of available-for-sale securities |
(1,406) | (152) | (226) | |||||||||
Maturities of available-for-sale securities |
1,292 | 179 | 126 | |||||||||
Other, net |
165 | 114 | 158 | |||||||||
Net cash used by investing activities |
(3,663) | (1,392) | (408) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||
Purchases of common stock |
(1,522) | (209) | (1,185) | |||||||||
Repayment of fixed-rate notes |
(500) | | (700) | |||||||||
Dividends paid |
(533) | (577) | (631) | |||||||||
Proceeds from option exercises |
144 | 142 | 277 | |||||||||
Net proceeds from (repayment of) commercial paper |
904 | (904) | | |||||||||
Proceeds from fixed-rate notes |
995 | 747 | | |||||||||
Other, net |
(206) | (5) | 13 | |||||||||
Net cash used by financing activities |
(718) | (806) | (2,226) | |||||||||
Net cash used by discontinued operations |
(13) | (15) | (2) | |||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and equivalents |
(1,270) | 642 | 350 | |||||||||
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year |
2,891 | 1,621 | 2,263 | |||||||||
Cash and equivalents at end of year |
$ | 1,621 | $ | 2,263 | $ | 2,613 |
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
38 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Common Stock | Retained | Treasury | Accumulated Other Comprehensive |
Total Shareholders |
Comprehensive | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | Par | Surplus | Earnings | Stock | Income (Loss) | Equity | Income | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 |
$ 482 | $ 1,141 | $ 11,379 | $ (1,881) | $ 647 | $ 11,768 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
| | 2,459 | | | 2,459 | $ 2,459 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared |
| | (551) | | | (551) | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based awards |
| 205 | | 62 | | 267 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares purchased |
| | | (1,530) | | (1,530) | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss on cash flow hedges |
| | | | (24) | (24) | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized losses on securities |
| | | | (5) | (5) | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| | | | (153) | (153) | (153) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Change in retirement plans funded status |
| | | | (2,178) | (2,178) | (2,178) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 |
482 | 1,346 | 13,287 | (3,349) | (1,713) | 10,053 | $ 99 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
| | 2,394 | | | 2,394 | $ 2,394 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared |
| | (588) | | | (588) | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based awards |
| 172 | | 86 | | 258 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares purchased |
| | | (200) | | (200) | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net gain on cash flow hedges |
| | | | 45 | 45 | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on securities |
| | | | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| | | | 290 | 290 | 290 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Change in retirement plans funded status |
| | | | 168 | 168 | 168 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2009 |
482 | 1,518 | 15,093 | (3,463) | (1,207) | 12,423 | $ 2,900 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
| | 2,624 | | | 2,624 | $ 2,624 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared |
| | (641) | | | (641) | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based awards |
| 211 | | 191 | | 402 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares purchased |
| | | (1,263) | | (1,263) | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net gain on cash flow hedges |
| | | | 66 | 66 | 66 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on securities |
| | | | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| | | | 279 | 279 | 279 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Change in retirement plans funded status |
| | | | (575) | (575) | (575) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2010 |
$ 482 | $ 1,729 | $ 17,076 | $ (4,535) | $ (1,436) | $ 13,316 | $ 2,395 |
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 39
(Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts or unless otherwise noted)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization. Our businesses are organized into four groups: Aerospace, which produces Gulfstream aircraft, performs aircraft outfitting and refurbishments for other manufacturers, and provides aircraft services; Combat Systems, which designs and manufactures combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; Marine Systems, which designs and constructs surface ships and submarines; and Information Systems and Technology, which provides communications and information technology products and services. Our primary customers are the U.S. military, other U.S. government organizations, the armed forces of other nations, and a diverse base of corporate and individual buyers of business aircraft.
Basis of Consolidation and Classification. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of General Dynamics Corporation and our wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all inter-company balances and transactions in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consistent with defense industry practice, we classify assets and liabilities related to long-term production contracts as current, even though some of these amounts are not expected to be realized within one year. In addition, some prior-year amounts have been reclassified among financial statement accounts to conform to the current-year presentation.
Use of Estimates. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require that we make a number of estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions 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. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition. We account for revenues and earnings in our defense and aerospace businesses using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method, we recognize contract revenue as the work progresses, either as the products are produced and delivered or as services are rendered, as applicable. We estimate the profit on a contract as the difference between the total estimated revenue and the total estimated costs of a contract and recognize that profit over the contract term. We determine progress toward completion on production contracts based on either input measures, such as costs incurred, or output measures, such as units delivered, as appropriate. Our contracts for the manufacture of business-jet aircraft usually provide for two major phases: the manufacture of the green aircraft and its completion. Completion includes exterior painting and installation of customer-selected interiors and optional avionics. We record revenue at two milestones: when green aircraft are delivered to, and accepted by, the customer and when the customer accepts final delivery of the fully outfitted aircraft. For services contracts, we recognize revenues as the services are rendered. We apply earnings rates to all contract costs, including general and administrative (G&A) expenses on government contracts, to determine revenues and operating earnings.
We review earnings rates regularly to assess revisions in contract values and estimated costs at completion. We apply the effect of any changes in earnings rates resulting from these assessments prospectively rather than under the cumulative catch-up method. Under the prospective (or reallocation) method, the impact of revisions in estimates is recognized over the remaining contract term, while under the cumulative catch-up method, such impact would be recognized immediately. We charge any anticipated losses on contracts to earnings as soon as they are identified. Anticipated losses cover all costs allocable to the contracts, including G&A expenses on government contracts. We recognize revenue arising from claims either as income or as an offset against a potential loss only when the amount of the claim can be estimated reliably and its realization is probable.
Discontinued Operations. In 2008, we entered into an agreement to sell our Spanish nitrocellulose operation. The sale of this operation was completed in 2010. The financial statements reflect the results of operations of this business in discontinued operations (the revenues of this business have been eliminated, and its net losses are reported separately below earnings from continuing operations). Net cash used by discontinued operations consists primarily of cash used by the operating activities of this business prior to the sale.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development (R&D) expenses consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Company-sponsored R&D, including product development costs |
$ | 317 | $ | 360 | $ | 325 | ||||||||||
Bid and proposal costs |
157 | 160 | 183 | |||||||||||||
Total company-sponsored R&D |
474 | 520 | 508 | |||||||||||||
Customer-sponsored R&D |
212 | 405 | 548 | |||||||||||||
Total R&D |
$ | 686 | $ | 925 | $ | 1,056 |
R&D expenses are included in operating costs and expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings in the period in which they are incurred. Customer-sponsored R&D expenses are charged directly to the related contract.
40 General Dynamics Annual Report 2010
The Aerospace group has cost-sharing arrangements with some of its suppliers that enhance the groups internal development capabilities and offset a portion of the financial risk associated with the groups product development efforts. These arrangements explicitly state that supplier contributions are for reimbursements of costs we incur in the development of new aircraft models and technologies, and we retain substantial rights in the products developed under these arrangements. We record amounts received from these cost-sharing arrangements as a reduction of R&D expenses. We have no obligation to refund any amounts received under the agreement regardless of the outcome of the development effort. Under the terms of each agreement, payments received from suppliers for their share of the costs are typically based on milestones and are recognized as earned when we achieve a milestone event.
Net Interest. Net interest expense consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | 133 | $ | 171 | $ | 167 | ||||||||||
Interest income |
(67) | (11) | (10) | |||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
$ | 66 | $ | 160 | $ | 157 | ||||||||||
Interest payments |
$ | 124 | $ | 137 | $ | 168 |
Cash and Equivalents and Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. We consider securities with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We report our investments in available-for-sale securities at fair value. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. We report our held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. The interest income on these securities is a component of our net interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. We had marketable securities and other investments totaling $482 on December 31, 2009, and $325 on December 31, 2010. These investments are included in other current and noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (see note D). We had no trading securities at the end of either period.
The contractual arrangements with some of our international customers require us to maintain some of the advance payments made by our customers and apply them only to our activities associated with these contracts. These advances totaled approximately $245 on December 31, 2010.
Long-lived Assets. We review 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. Impairment losses, where identified, are determined as the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value of the long-lived asset. We assess the recoverability of the carrying value of assets held for use based on a review of projected undiscounted cash flows. If an asset is held for sale, our assessment considers the estimated fair value less cost to sell.
We review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually or when circumstances indicate that an impairment is more likely than not by applying a fair-value-based test. Goodwill represents the purchase price paid in excess of the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We apply a two-step impairment test to first identify potential goodwill impairment for each reporting unit and then measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss, if necessary. We completed the required annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2010 and did not identify any impairment. For a summary of our goodwill by reporting unit, see Note B.
Subsequent Events. We have evaluated material events and transactions that have occurred after December 31, 2010, and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that require adjustment to or disclosure in this Form 10-K.
B. ACQUISITIONS, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
In 2010, we acquired three businesses for an aggregate of $233 in cash:
Combat Systems
| A business that demilitarizes, incinerates and disposes of munitions, explosives and explosive wastes in an environmentally safe and efficient manner (on May 12). |
Information Systems and Technology
| A provider of software for military mission planning and execution (on January 8). |
| A U.K. based-company that designs and manufactures sensor and optical surveillance systems for military and security applications (on June 22). |
In 2009, we acquired two businesses in the Information Systems and Technology group for an aggregate of $811 in cash:
| An information technology services business that performs work for our classified customers (on January 26). |
| A company that designs and manufactures high-performance electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors and systems and multi-axis stabilized cameras (on September 2). |
General Dynamics Annual Report 2010 41
In 2008, we acquired five businesses for an aggregate of $3.2 billion in cash:
Aerospace
| A company that performs aircraft completions and refurbishments for business jets and commercial aircraft, aircraft support services, and management and fixed-base operations (FBO) services for a broad global customer base (on November 5). |
Combat Systems
| A global manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered drivetrain components and aftermarket parts for heavy-payload military and commercial customers (on December 19). |
Marine Systems
| A marine and industrial electrical company specializing in electrical apparatus installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair (on July 23). |
Information Systems and Technology
| A business that produces advanced filtering technologies and broadband power amplifiers for tactical communications applications for military and other government customers (on February 29). |
| A leading provider of high-end healthcare technology solutions, including data management, analytics, decision support and process automation, that support both U.S. federal government agencies and commercial healthcare organizations (on July 22). |
We funded each of the above acquisitions using cash on hand. The operating results of these businesses have been included with our reported results since the respective closing dates of the acquisitions. The purchase prices of these businesses have been allocated to the estimated fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired, with any excess purchase price recorded as goodwill.
Intangible assets consisted of the following:
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying |
||||||||||
December 31, 2009 | ||||||||||||
Contract and program intangible assets* |
$ 2,354 | $ (776) | $ 1,578 | |||||||||
Trade names and trademarks |
438 | (36) | 402 | |||||||||
Technology and software |
169 | (73) | 96 | |||||||||
Other intangible assets |
210 | (188) | 22 | |||||||||
Total intangible assets |
$ 3,171 | $ (1,073) | $ 2,098 | |||||||||
December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||
Contract and program intangible assets* |
$ 2,421 | $ (949) | $ 1,472 | |||||||||
Trade names and trademarks |
483 | (58) | 425 | |||||||||
Technology and software |
176 | (94) | 82 | |||||||||
Other intangible assets |
207 | (194) | 13 | |||||||||
Total intangible assets |
$ 3,287 | $ (1,295) | $ 1,992 |
* | Consist of acquired backlog and probable follow-on work and related customer relationships. |
The amortization lives (in years) of our intangible assets on December 31, 2010, were as follows: