ITEM 1. BUSINESS

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

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; information technology (IT) services and C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) solutions; and shipbuilding and ship repair.

General Dynamics was incorporated in Delaware in 1952. The company grew organically and through acquisitions until the early 1990s when we sold nearly our entire portfolio except for our military-vehicle and submarine businesses. Starting in the mid-1990s, we began expanding again by acquiring Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, combat-vehicle-related businesses, IT product and service companies and additional shipyards, forming the foundation of our company today.

We continue to expand our business through organic growth and acquisitions. We focus on delivering superior products and services to our customers, and creating value for our shareholders through a relentless focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Our company is organized into four business groups: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Systems and Technology, and Marine Systems. Each group is comprised of two or more business units. Each unit has responsibility for its strategy and operational performance, providing the flexibility needed to stay close to customers, perform on programs and remain agile. Our corporate headquarters is responsible for setting the strategic direction and governance of the company, the allocation of capital and promoting a culture of ethics and integrity that defines how we operate. Our management team delivers on our commitments to shareholders through disciplined execution of our robust backlog, efficient cash-flow conversion and prudent capital deployment. We focus on managing costs, implementing continuous improvement initiatives and collaborating across our businesses to achieve our goals of maximizing earnings and cash and driving return on invested capital.

Following is additional information on each of our business groups. Prior-period information has been restated for the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which we adopted on January 1, 2017, as discussed in Note T to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. For selected financial information, see Note R to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

AEROSPACE

Our Aerospace group is at the forefront of the business-jet industry. We deliver a family of Gulfstream aircraft and provide a range of services for Gulfstream aircraft and aircraft produced by other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Aerospace group is known for:

At Gulfstream, we design, develop, manufacture, service and support the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Our product line includes aircraft across a spectrum of price and performance options in the large- and mid-cabin business-jet market. The varying ranges, speeds and cabin dimensions of these aircraft are well-suited for the needs of a diverse, global customer base.

We invest in Gulfstream 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. We created a new market with the G650 family of business jets. The G650 is the fastest non-supersonic aircraft to circumnavigate the globe, having flown westbound around the world in a record-setting 41 hours and 7 minutes. The G650 and G650ER have claimed 70 world speed records. The G650 also earned the National Aeronautic Association’s Robert J. Collier Trophy, an annual award recognizing the greatest achievement in U.S. aeronautics or astronautics with respect to improving performance, efficiency and safety. In 2017, we celebrated the five-year anniversary of the G650’s type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its entry into service. Today, there are more than 280 G650 and G650ER aircraft operating in 40 countries.

Our newest Gulfstream products are two clean-sheet large-cabin business jets, the G500 and G600, which exemplify our commitment to performance, safety, efficiency and innovation. The aircraft are progressing through concurrent flight-test programs in preparation for FAA certification. Five G500 test aircraft have completed more than 4,200 test hours since first flight in 2015, and five G600 aircraft have accumulated more than 1,300 test hours since first flight in 2016. Both aircraft have exceeded original expectations throughout our rigorous flight test program. In late 2017, we announced increased performance standards for both aircraft. At Mach 0.85, the G500 can fly 5,200 nautical miles, and the G600 can fly 6,500 nautical miles. The performance of these aircraft demonstrate our culture of continuous improvement and the discipline and rigor inherent in our design, development and flight-test programs.

Our product enhancement and development efforts include initiatives in advanced avionics, composites, renewable fuels, flight-control systems, acoustics, cabin technologies and vision systems. One example is the Symmetry Flight Deck introduced with the G500 and G600, which includes 10 touchscreens and active control sidesticks, a first for business aviation. The touchscreens improve how pilots interact with onboard systems, and the sidesticks are digitally linked to allow both pilots to see and feel each other’s control inputs, enhancing situational awareness and further improving safety of the aircraft.

Gulfstream designs, develops and manufactures aircraft in Savannah, Georgia, including manufacturing all large-cabin models. The mid-cabin model is assembled by a non-U.S. partner. All models are outfitted in the group’s U.S. facilities. In support of Gulfstream’s growing aircraft portfolio and customer base, we continue to invest in our facilities. At our Savannah campus, we have constructed facilities, including purpose-built G500, G600 and G650 manufacturing facilities; increased aircraft service capacity; and opened a new product-support distribution center and dedicated research and development centers.

The group offers extensive support for the more than 2,600 Gulfstream aircraft in service around the world with the largest factory-owned service network in the business-aviation industry, including professionals located around the globe. The service network for Gulfstream aircraft continues to evolve to address the demands of our growing customer base. We operate 12 company-owned service centers worldwide and have more than 20 factory-authorized service centers and authorized warranty facilities. We also operate a 24-hour-per-day/365-day-per-year Customer Contact Center and offer on-call Gulfstream aircraft technicians ready to deploy for customer-service requirements, providing maintenance support on every continent.

Jet Aviation has been a global leader in business aviation services for 50 years, providing comprehensive services and an extensive network of locations for aircraft owners and operators. With approximately 30

airport facilities throughout Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East and North America, our service offerings include maintenance, fixed-base operations (FBO), aircraft management, charter and staffing services.

In response to customer demand and the growing installed base of aircraft around the world, we have expanded Jet Aviation’s service network over the past several years and continue to do so. We are expanding our maintenance and FBO facility in Singapore, and in 2017 we opened a new FBO and hangar in Bedford, Massachusetts, and an FBO facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We also took over the management of an FBO at Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and we acquired an FBO at Washington Dulles International Airport that has six hangars, 10 acres of ramp space and a newly renovated FBO terminal building.

In addition to these capabilities, Jet Aviation offers custom complex completions for narrow- and wide-body aircraft. We are expanding our Basel, Switzerland, facility to accommodate increased demand for wide-body completions and refurbishments.

As a market leader in the business-aviation industry, the Aerospace group is focused on developing innovative first-to-market technologies and products; providing exemplary and timely service to customers globally; and driving efficiencies in the aircraft production, outfitting and service processes.

Revenue for the Aerospace group was 26% of our consolidated revenue in 2017 and 2016 and 29% in 2015 . Revenue by major products and services was as follows:

COMBAT SYSTEMS

Our Combat Systems group offers combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions for the U.S. government and its allies around the world. We are a platform solutions provider offering market-leading design, development, production, modernization and sustainment services. With extensive, diverse and proven product lines, we have the agility to deliver tailored solutions to meet a wide array of customer mission needs. Comprised of three business units, European Land Systems, Land Systems, and Ordnance and Tactical Systems, the group’s product lines include:

Wheeled combat and tactical vehicles: The group provides a full spectrum of vehicles to a global customer base. The eight-wheeled, medium-weight Stryker combat vehicle continues to prove itself as one of the most versatile vehicles in the U.S. Army’s fleet, combining mobility and survivability into a deployable and responsive combat support vehicle. There are 11 Stryker variants, with 85% commonality across the fleet. We are working with the Army to convert all nine of its Stryker Brigade Combat Teams to our patented double-V-hull configuration, which significantly improves protection for soldiers. We are modernizing the Stryker by upgrading the vehicles’ power train, suspension and network capabilities, with the first of these vehicles delivered in September 2017.

We continue to innovate and demonstrate ways in which the Stryker can be modified to help the Army meet its urgent operational needs. In 2015, the Army identified a requirement to increase the lethality of Strykers, and through internal research and development (R&D) and an accelerated acquisition effort, we are adding a 30-millimeter, remotely-operated cannon to 83 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles. We delivered the first prototype in 2016, 15 months after the initial contract award. The first production vehicle was sent to the Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment in December 2017. Another example is our Stryker Maneuver SHORAD Launcher (MSL) vehicle, which we quickly developed to address the Army’s directed requirement to counter closer-in air and missile defense threats by integrating an air defense system missile launcher into a reconfigured Stryker vehicle.

The group has a market-leading position in light armored vehicles (LAVs) with more than 13,000 vehicles delivered around the world. We offer advanced technologies combined with combat-proven survivability. We are upgrading the Canadian Army’s fleet of LAVs to increase mobility, survivability and lethality, as well as enhancing the vehicles’ surveillance suite. We also have a $10 billion contract to provide wheeled armored vehicles along with associated logistics support for a Middle Eastern customer through 2024.

We deliver high-mobility, versatile Pandur and Piranha armored vehicles. The Pandur family of vehicles serves as a common platform for various armament and equipment configurations and the Piranha is a multi-role vehicle well-suited for a variety of combat operations. In 2017, we received a contract from the Austrian Army to supply Pandur 6x6 armored vehicles. We are delivering more than 300 Piranha vehicles in six variants to the Danish Ministry of Defence for its armored personnel carrier program, as well as sustaining the vehicles in the future. The Spanish Army selected the Piranha as its 8x8 armored fighting vehicle, and we are now performing extensive technological trials in anticipation of a production contract. In addition, we are producing Piranha armored vehicles for Ireland, Romania and Switzerland.

The group offers a range of light tactical vehicles to global customers. The Flyer is a lightweight, modular vehicle built for speed and mobility that allows access to previously unreachable terrain in demanding environments. We are delivering this family of vehicles for the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Army’s Ground Mobility Vehicle programs. Outside the United States, the Duro and Eagle vehicles offer a range of options in the 6- to 15-ton weight class. We are upgrading Duro tactical vehicles for the Swiss Army through 2022 and delivering Eagle armored patrol vehicles to the Danish Army, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2018.

Tanks and tracked combat vehicles: Combat Systems’ powerful tracked vehicles provide key combat capabilities to customers around the world. The Abrams main battle tank offers a proven, decisive edge in combat. We are maximizing the effectiveness and lethality of the U.S. Army’s M1A2 Abrams tank fleet with the System Enhancement Package Version 3 (SEPv3), providing technological advancements in communications, power generation, fuel efficiency and improved armor. Internationally, the group is upgrading Abrams tanks for several U.S. allies, including Kuwait, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. In 2017, we received an award to upgrade up to 786 Abrams tanks to the SEPv3 configuration. Additional modernization efforts include integrating multiple engineering changes into the SEPv3 to design and develop SEPv4 prototypes with upgraded sensors .

The ASCOD is a highly versatile tracked combat vehicle with multiple versions, including the Spanish Pizarro and the Austrian Ulan. Currently the group is producing the British Army’s AJAX armoured fighting vehicle, a next-generation version of the ASCOD. In addition to production, the group will provide in-service support for the AJAX vehicle fleet. With six variants, AJAX offers advanced electronic architecture and proven technology for an unparalleled balance of protection, survivability and reliability for a vehicle in its weight class. In 2017, the AJAX vehicles underwent extensive testing trials in preparation for delivery to the British Army, including successful manned live firing trials. The vehicle is scheduled to begin entering into service in 2020.

With our large installed base of wheeled and tracked vehicles around the world and the expertise gained from our innovative research, engineering and production programs, we are well-positioned for vehicle modernization programs, support and sustainment services and future development programs.

Weapons systems, armament and munitions: Complementing these military-vehicle offerings, the group designs, develops and produces a comprehensive array of sophisticated weapons systems. For ground forces, we manufacture M2/M2-A1 heavy machine guns and MK19/MK47 grenade launchers. The group also produces legacy and next-generation weapons systems for shipboard applications. For airborne platforms, we produce weapons for fighter aircraft, including high-speed Gatling guns for all U.S. fixed-wing military aircraft.

Our munitions portfolio covers the full breadth of naval, air and ground forces applications across all calibers and weapons platforms for the U.S. government and its allies. In North America, the group maintains a market-leading position in the supply of Hydra-70 rockets, large-caliber tank ammunition, medium-caliber ammunition, mortar and artillery projectiles, tactical missile aerostructures, and high-performance warheads; military propellants; and conventional bombs and bomb cases.

The Combat Systems group emphasizes operational execution and continuous process improvements to enhance our productivity. In an environment of uncertain threats and evolving customer needs, the group is focused on innovation, affordability and speed-to-market to deliver increased performance and survivable, mission-effective products.

Revenue for the Combat Systems group was 19% of our consolidated revenue in 2017 and 18% in 2016 and 2015 . Revenue by major products and services was as follows:

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY

Our Information Systems and Technology group provides technologies, products and services in support of thousands of programs for a wide range of military, federal civilian, state and local customers. The group’s market leadership results from decades of domain expertise, incumbency on high-priority programs and continuous innovation to meet the ever-changing information-systems and mission-support needs of our customers. The group’s diverse portfolio includes:

IT solutions and mission-support services: As a trusted systems integrator for more than 50 years, we design, build and operate enterprise information systems, including large-scale, secure IT networks and systems. In addition, we provide a broad range of technical, professional and training services.

Our Information Technology business supports the full enterprise IT lifecycle, designing, integrating, operating, maintaining and modernizing complex data, voice and multimedia networks. Working closely with our customers, we ensure their network infrastructures are secure, efficient, scalable and cost-effective.

We have extensive experience consolidating, building and operating data centers. In 2017, we were awarded an enterprise IT contract to support the Defense Logistics Agency’s J6 Enterprise Technology Services program and a contract to modernize NATO’s IT infrastructure that supports NATO member countries. The group was also awarded a large contract to manage an intelligence community agency’s global data center and hybrid cloud environment.

The group is at the forefront of agile development, big data analytics and cloud and virtualization technologies and services, offering solutions that meet multiple federal government and military compliance requirements. We developed and deployed the largest virtual desktop environment for the intelligence community, with over 80,000 users. We also support security operations and computer network defense centers across multiple intelligence agencies, with more than 100,000 accounts and 50,000 devices across classified and unclassified networks.

We provide leading-edge training strategies and technologies for military operations, range support, simulation and professional development. For example, we deliver education curricula and training throughout the Navy and live, virtual, constructive and gaming capabilities to more than half of the Army’s Mission Training Complexes. In 2017, we were awarded three contracts to continue delivering education and training support services to the Naval Education and Training Command.

The group’s technical and professional support services include providing domain specialists and technical solutions to help customers meet technology, operational, critical planning and staffing needs. We provide these services to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Special Operations Command, and intelligence and defense customers, as well as to federal civilian agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

C4 mission systems: We design, build, integrate, deploy and support communications, command-and-control and computer mission systems; imagery, signals- and multi-intelligence systems; and cyber security systems for customers in the U.S. defense, intelligence and homeland security communities, as well as U.S. allies.

Our Mission Systems business is a leading manufacturer and integrator of tactical, secure communications systems. As the prime contractor on the Common Hardware Systems-4 (CHS-4) contract, we provide the Army with next-generation computing and communications equipment. We are also the prime contractor for the Army’s backbone mobile communications network named Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T). WIN-T Increment 1 was rapidly deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan beginning in 2004 and by 2012 was fully fielded to the Army, National Guard and Reserves. Increment 2 has been fielded to nine division headquarters and 15 brigade combat teams, providing a more capable and resilient network, on-the-move capabilities and the ability to quickly insert new technologies into the system. We continue to work closely with our Army customer to evolve its next-generation combat network to meet the threats of the future.

With a 50-year legacy in radio frequency communications and networks, the group offers a range of radio products and systems for military, government and commercial customers, as well as long-term evolution (LTE) broadband communications networks for first responders. Our AN/USC-61(C) Digital Modular Radio (DMR) is the first software-defined radio to become a communications system standard for the U.S. military. We recently added the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform to the DMR, providing secure ultra-high frequency satellite communications. The group continues to deliver CM-300/350 V2 digital radios to the FAA, used by air traffic control centers, commercial airports, military air stations and range installations for reliable ground-to-air communications.

We provide many of these capabilities to non-U.S. agencies and commercial customers. We have developed and deployed and continue to modernize and support the Canadian Army’s fully integrated, secure combat voice and data network. We leveraged this experience to deliver the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s Bowman tactical communication system, for which we currently provide ongoing support and capability upgrades. We were awarded a contract in 2017 for the U.K.’s next-generation tactical communication and information system. The program, known as Morpheus, will modernize communications and command-and-control systems across three armed services by evolving the Bowman network into a more open, agile architecture. In Canada, our public safety-focused communication system, the SHIELD Ecosystem, allows first responders to gather and exchange information quickly using digital applications on secure systems and provides the availability and location of in-field personnel at all times.

In command-and-control systems, we have a 50-year legacy of providing advanced fire-control systems for Navy submarine programs, and we are developing and integrating commercial off-the-shelf software and hardware upgrades to improve the tactical control capabilities for several submarine classes. The group’s combat and seaframe control systems serve as the technology backbone for the Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships. In addition, the group manufactures unmanned undersea vehicles for the U.S. military and commercial customers, offering a range of systems and configurations, including more than 70 different sensors on 80 vehicles that can operate in the open ocean and constrained waterways.

We also deliver high-assurance mission and display systems, signal and sensor processing and command-and-control solutions for airborne platforms. Our aircraft mission computers are on the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighter and the Marine Corps’ AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, giving pilots advanced situational awareness and combat systems control. The P-3 Orion and other maritime patrol aircraft use our digital stores management system.

ISR solutions: The Information Systems and Technology group provides ISR capabilities to a variety of classified programs. Our expertise includes multi-intelligence ground systems and large-scale, high-performance data and signal processing. We deliver high-reliability, long-life sensors and payloads designed to perform in the most extreme environments, including undersea sensor and power systems and space payloads.

Cyber security solutions are embedded throughout the group’s IT and systems engineering programs. We deliver comprehensive cyber security-related products and services to help customers defend and protect their networks from the persistent and growing cyber threat. We continue to evolve our TACLANE family of network encryptors, the most widely-deployed NSA-certified Type 1 encryption device, and our NSA-certified ProtecD@R family of data-at-rest encryptors, which protect stored data on computers, tactical platforms, sensors and servers. We released TACLANE-FLEX in 2017, a scalable and flexible solution that supports additional networking and security capabilities. The group also delivers technologies that provide access to information at various security levels, accommodating the increased demand for cloud computing and mobility. We acquired a company in 2017 that expands our multi-level security capabilities with products intended for tactical use.

The Information Systems and Technology group’s market is diverse and dynamic. We are focused on maintaining a market-leading position by developing innovative solutions to meet customer requirements and optimizing the performance of the business to ensure cost competitiveness. The group is well-positioned to continue meeting the needs of our broad customer base.

Revenue for the Information Systems and Technology group was 29% of our consolidated revenue in 2017 , 30% in 2016 and 28% in 2015 . Revenue by major products and services was as follows:

MARINE SYSTEMS

With shipyards located on both U.S. coasts, our Marine Systems group is a market-leading designer and builder of nuclear-powered submarines, surface combatants, and auxiliary and combat-logistics ships for the U.S. Navy and Jones Act ships for commercial customers, as well as a provider of repair services for several U.S. Navy ship classes. The group’s portfolio of platforms and capabilities includes:

We have a long history as one of the primary shipbuilders for the Navy, constructing and delivering ships and designing and developing next-generation platforms. More than 90% of the group’s revenue is for Navy engineering, construction and lifecycle support awarded under large, multi-year contracts.

We are the prime contractor for the Navy’s Virginia-class submarine program. Designed for the full range of global mission requirements, these stealthy boats excel in littoral and open-ocean environments. The Navy is procuring Virginia-class submarines in multi-boat blocks. Electric Boat continues to operate at a two submarines-per-year construction rate. We have delivered 15 Virginia-class submarines in conjunction with an industry partner that shares in the construction, and the remaining 13 submarines under contract are scheduled for delivery through 2023. Since delivering the lead Virginia-class submarine, the cost and time to deliver follow-on ships has been reduced consistently and significantly, from 84 months to 66 months, while improving the mission capability and quality of the ships at delivery.

We are also developing the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) for the fifth block of Virginia-class submarines expected to start construction in 2019. This block of submarines will provide a significant upgrade in size and performance. The VPM is an 84-foot hull section that will add four additional payload tubes, more than tripling the strike capacity of these submarines and preserving the United States’ critical undersea capabilities.

The group is the prime contractor for design and construction of the Navy’s Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, a 12-boat program that the Navy considers its top priority. These submarines will provide strategic deterrent capabilities for decades and will begin to come on line when the current Ohio-class fleet reaches the end of its service life starting in 2027. The lead ship is slated to start construction in 2021, with delivery to the Navy in 2027. We were awarded a contract in 2017 to finish the design and begin prototype development of the lead boat, an important step to keep the program on schedule. We are investing in our workforce and facilities, including a new automated frame and cylinder facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Steel for the first Columbia-class hull was cut in 2016, and missile tubes are under construction to

support the Common Missile Compartment work under joint development for the U.S. Navy and the U.K. Royal Navy.

We are the lead designer and builder of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) guided-missile destroyers, managing the design, modernization and lifecycle support. These highly capable, multi-mission ships provide offensive and defensive capabilities and are capable of simultaneously fighting air, surface and subsurface battles. The Navy restarted this program in 2010 after a four-year break in construction and Bath Iron Works delivered the first ship in the restart program to the Navy in 2017. We have construction contracts for seven DDG-51s scheduled for delivery through 2024.

Bath Iron Works is one of the Navy’s contractors involved in the development and construction of the Zumwalt-class (DDG-1000) platform, the Navy’s next-generation guided-missile destroyer. These ships are equipped with numerous technological enhancements, including a low radar profile, an integrated power system and a software environment that ties together nearly every system on the ship. DDG-1000s will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. We delivered the first ship in 2016. The second ship is expected to deliver in 2018 with the final ship scheduled for delivery in 2020.

NASSCO is building Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) auxiliary support ships, a second variant of the Expeditionary Support Dock (ESD) ships, which serve as floating forward staging bases to improve the Navy and Marine Corps’ ability to deliver large-scale equipment and expeditionary forces to areas without adequate port access. ESBs, equipped with a 52,000-square-foot flight deck and accommodations for up to 250 personnel, are capable of supporting a variety of missions, including airborne mine countermeasure, maritime security operations and disaster relief missions. The group has delivered three ships in the program, and construction is underway on the fourth and fifth ships, scheduled for delivery in early 2018 and 2019, respectively.

NASSCO was awarded a design and construction contract in 2016 for the lead ship in the Navy’s new class of fleet oilers, the John Lewis class (TAO-205), along with options for five additional ships . Designed to transfer fuel to Navy surface ships operating at sea, the oilers will have the capacity to carry 156,000 barrels of fuel as well as offer a significant dry cargo capacity and aviation capability. Engineering and design work is underway for the first ship, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2018.

Our Marine Systems group provides comprehensive ship and submarine maintenance, modernization and lifecycle support services to extend the service life and maximize the value of these ships. NASSCO conducts full-service maintenance and surface-ship repair operations in four primary locations within the Navy’s largest U.S. ports and at customer locations around the globe. Electric Boat provides submarine maintenance and modernization services in a variety of U.S. locations, and Bath Iron Works provides lifecycle support services for Navy surface ships. In support of allied navies, the group offers program management, planning, engineering and design support for submarine and surface-ship construction programs.

In addition to our work for the Navy, the Marine Systems group has extensive experience in all phases of ship construction for commercial customers, designing and building oil and product tankers and container and cargo ships for commercial markets since the 1970s. These ships help our commercial customers satisfy the Jones Act requirement that ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports be built in U.S. shipyards. The group has advanced commercial shipbuilding technology with NASSCO’s design and delivery of the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containerships, using green ship technology to dramatically decrease emissions while increasing fuel efficiency. From 2014 to 2017, NASSCO constructed and delivered eight LNG-conversion-ready product tankers for commercial customers. During this time, the company achieved several first-time milestones, including a record throughput of 60,000 tons of steel per year and the delivery

of six ships in 2016. We are currently designing and constructing two new LNG-capable containerships with roll-on, roll-off capability with deliveries scheduled for 2019 and 2020.

To further the group’s goals of operating efficiency, innovation and affordability for the customer, we make strategic investments in our business, often in cooperation with the Navy. In addition, the Marine Systems group leverages its design and engineering expertise across its shipyards to improve program execution and generate cost savings. This knowledge sharing enables the group to use resources more efficiently and drive process improvements. We are well-positioned to continue to fulfill the ship-construction and support requirements of our customers.

Revenue for the Marine Systems group was 26% of our consolidated revenue in 2017 and 2016 and 25% in 2015 . Revenue by major products and services was as follows:

* In addition to our direct non-U.S. sales, we sell to non-U.S. governments through the 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 non-U.S. government customer.

Our U.S. government businesses operate 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, repair and maintenance, and other services are typically cost-reimbursement or time-and-materials. Under cost-reimbursement contracts, the customer reimburses contract costs and pays a fixed, 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 generally reimburses us for the cost of materials.

In our U.S. government business, fixed-price contracts accounted for 54% in 2017 , 53% in 2016 and 55% in 2015 ; cost-reimbursement contracts accounted for 42% in 2017 , 43% in 2016 and 41% in 2015 ; and time-and-materials contracts accounted for 4% in each of the past three years.

For information on the advantages and disadvantages of each of these contract types, see Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

U.S. COMMERCIAL

Our U.S. commercial revenue was $4.5 billion in 2017 and 2016 and $5.5 billion in 2015 . This represented 15% of our consolidated revenue in 2017 and 2016 and 17% in 2015 . The majority of this revenue is for business-jet aircraft and related services where our customer base consists of individuals and public and privately held companies across a wide range of industries.

NON-U.S.

Our revenue from non-U.S. government and commercial customers was $7.5 billion in 2017 , $7.4 billion in 2016 and $8.3 billion in 2015 . This represented 24% of our consolidated revenue in 2017 and 2016 and 26% in 2015 .

We conduct business with customers around the world. Our non-U.S. defense subsidiaries have established themselves as principal regional suppliers and employers, providing a broad portfolio of products and services and maintaining long-term relationships with their customers.

Our non-U.S. 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. While the installed base of aircraft is concentrated in North America, orders from non-U.S. customers represent a significant segment of our aircraft business with approximately 55% of the Aerospace group’s total backlog on December 31, 2017 .

COMPETITION

Several factors determine our ability to compete successfully in the defense and business-aviation markets. While customers’ evaluation criteria vary, the principal competitive elements include:

DEFENSE MARKET COMPETITION

The U.S. government contracts with numerous domestic and non-U.S. 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. Outside the United States, we compete with global defense contractors’ exports and the offerings of private and state-owned defense manufacturers. Our Combat Systems group competes with a large number of U.S. and non-U.S. businesses. Our Information Systems and Technology group competes with many companies, from large defense companies to small niche competitors with specialized technologies or expertise. Our Marine Systems group has one primary

competitor with which it also partners on the Virginia-class submarine program. The operating cycle of many of our major platform programs can result in sustained periods of program continuity when we perform successfully.

We 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 a spectrum of capabilities to meet the customer’s requirements. Opportunities associated with these programs include roles as the program’s integrator, overseeing and coordinating the efforts of all participants on a team, or as a provider of a specific component or subsystem.

BUSINESS-JET AIRCRAFT MARKET COMPETITION

The Aerospace group has several competitors for each of its Gulfstream products. Key competitive factors include aircraft safety, reliability and performance; comfort and in-flight productivity; service quality, global footprint and responsiveness; technological and new-product innovation; and price. We believe that Gulfstream competes effectively in all of these areas.

The Aerospace group competes worldwide in the business-jet aircraft services market primarily on the basis of price, quality and timeliness. In our maintenance, repair and FBO businesses, the group competes with several other large companies as well as a number of smaller companies, particularly in the maintenance business. In our completions business, the group competes with several service providers.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

To foster innovative product development and evolution, we conduct sustained R&D activities as part of our normal business operations. Most of our Aerospace group’s R&D activities support Gulfstream’s product enhancement and development programs. In our U.S. defense businesses, we conduct customer-sponsored R&D activities under government contracts and company-sponsored R&D activities, investing in technologies and capabilities that provide innovative solutions for our customers. In accordance with government regulations, we recover a portion of company-sponsored R&D expenditures through overhead

charges to U.S. government contracts. For more information on our company-sponsored R&D activities, including our expenditures for the past three years, see Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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 many of our patents developed in the performance of U.S. government contracts, and it may use or authorize others to use the inventions covered by these 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 have a material impact on our business.

EMPLOYEES

On December 31, 2017 , our subsidiaries had 98,600 employees, approximately one-fifth of whom work under collective agreements with various labor unions and worker representatives. Agreements covering approximately 2% of total employees are due to expire in 2018 . Historically, we have renegotiated these labor agreements without any significant disruption to operating activities.

RAW MATERIALS, SUPPLIERS AND SEASONALITY

We depend on suppliers and subcontractors for raw materials, components and subsystems. Our U.S. government customer is a supplier on some of our programs. These supply networks can experience price fluctuations and capacity constraints, which can put pressure on our costs. Effective management and oversight of suppliers and subcontractors is an important element of our successful performance. We sometimes rely on only one or two sources of supply that, if disrupted, could impact our ability to meet our customer commitments. We attempt to mitigate risks with our suppliers by entering into long-term agreements and leveraging company-wide agreements to achieve economies of scale, and by negotiating flexible pricing terms in our customer contracts. 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 seasonal in nature. The receipt of contract awards, the availability of funding from the customer, the incurrence of contract costs and unit deliveries are all factors that influence the timing of our revenue. In the United States, these factors are influenced by the federal government’s budget cycle based on its October-to-September fiscal year.

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 DoD 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:

In addition, the FAR addresses the allowability of our costs, while the CAS addresses the allocation of those costs to contracts. The FAR and CAS subject us to audits and other government reviews covering issues such as cost, performance, internal controls and accounting practices relating to our contracts.

NON-U.S. REGULATORY

Our non-U.S. revenue is subject to the applicable government regulations and procurement policies and practices, as well as U.S. policies and regulations. We are also subject to regulations governing investments, exchange controls, repatriation of earnings and import-export control.

BUSINESS-JET AIRCRAFT

The Aerospace group is subject to FAA regulation in the United States and other similar aviation regulatory authorities internationally, including the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). 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 outfitting and 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 before granting approval. 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 materials, substances and wastes identified in the laws and regulations. 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 are potentially liable to the government or third parties for the cost of remediating contamination. 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 recoverable under our contracts with the U.S. government. Based on information currently available and current U.S. government policies relating to cost recovery, 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 O to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We file 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) 876-3117. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information. These items also can be read and copied at the SEC’s 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.