ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has entered into an exclusive teaming agreement with Controp Precision Technologies Ltd. of Israel to become the sole U.S. distributor of the SPIDER and CEDAR Electro-Optic long-range intruder detection systems.  The systems provide high-resolution, automated surveillance from either fixed or mobile platforms.  General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), plans to establish sales, engineering, production and support operations at its facility in Healdsburg, Calif., using existing employees.

“We recognize the superior capabilities of both the SPIDER and CEDAR systems for motion detection,” said Richard Davitt, vice president and general manager of Precision Systems for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.  “This agreement allows General Dynamics to further enhance our homeland security and force protection offerings with these unique systems capabilities.”    

The SPIDER and CEDAR systems will provide enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies to U.S. military forces for force protection and border security missions, allowing them to gain better situational awareness.  SPIDER and CEDAR are ideal for homeland security applications in airports, power plants, fuel storage depots, refineries, water reservoirs, armed forces facilities, as well as ground troop security and coastal, border and perimeter surveillance.  The use of SPIDER and CEDAR systems significantly reduces manpower requirements for surveillance. 

Both SPIDER and CEDAR operate unattended and provide for full, panoramic scanning.  Using infrared and daylight imagery for automatic motion detection, the systems provide remote operators with real-time, high-resolution imagery and an audible alarm that indicates whether single or multiple objects have been spotted
within their long-range scanning radius.  CEDAR is intended for fixed applications, while SPIDER can operate as a stand-alone unit or mounted on vehicles or other platforms.   SPIDER and CEDAR are in full-rate production and in field use in military and homeland security applications.

The SPIDER system features additional enhancements for ultra-dynamic threat environments.  It is gyro stabilized and when mounted on a vibrating or mobile platform, it remains firmly established to provide consistent, even surveillance.  SPIDER also features an “eye safe” built-in laser range finder to provide distance measurement to the targeted object and a laser pointer to mark the target. SPIDER’s thermal imaging camera features a smooth 22.5 x continuous optical zoom lens that can quickly, and without skips in the imagery, zoom in on a target several miles away.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 72,200 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion.  The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information can be found online at www.generaldynamics.com