History of General Dynamics
General Dynamics was founded in 1952 after the reorganization of Electric Boat Company, a submarine manufacturer that had been in operation since 1899. The company quickly expanded into aerospace and defense, acquiring Convair, a major aircraft manufacturer, in 1953. This move positioned General Dynamics as a key player in the Cold War-era military-industrial complex, producing nuclear submarines, fighter jets, and missile systems for the U.S. government.
Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, General Dynamics continued to innovate, developing the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a highly successful multirole fighter jet. However, in the early 1990s, the company restructured, selling off its aircraft and missile divisions to focus on warships, tanks, and IT services. Today, General Dynamics operates in four main sectors: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Technology, and Marine Systems, producing everything from Gulfstream business jets to Virginia-class submarines for the U.S. Navy.