News Release

August 20, 2009

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Takes On Sponsorship Role in FIRST® Student Robotics Competition

FAIRFAX, Va. – General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has become a sponsor of the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program, a robotics competition for high-school students’ grades nine through twelve. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 corporation that designs accessible, innovative robotics programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills in young people while motivating them to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering (STEM).  The 2009 robotics competition season will culminate with the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in Atlanta, Ga., in April 2010.

Teams in the FIRST Tech Challenge program use real-world science and math concepts to design and build robots to compete against each other for coveted spots at the FTC World Championship. FIRST provides accessible and affordable robotics kits that help a wide array of students get involved in and explore the benefits of technology and engineering. 

“General Dynamics is committed to fostering the growth of tomorrow’s engineers,” said Lou Von Thaer, president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. “As a sponsor of FIRST teams for many years, we have witnessed firsthand how the engineering skills students learn through the program inspire the innovation and creativity that drive success in school and in the workplace.”

“FIRST is pleased to welcome General Dynamics among a distinguished company of sponsors that recognize the importance of FIRST in general and FTC in particular,” said Paul R. Gudonis, president of FIRST. “General Dynamics is in the forefront of advanced systems for defense, space, intelligence and homeland security, which represents a shared vision as well a wonderful opportunity for FIRST students in FTC programs.”

In addition to the FTC Program Sponsorship, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems supports local FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams near its company facilities, and many employees serve as volunteers and mentors for these teams.  The teams are located in Annapolis Junction, Md.; Bloomington, Minn.; Fairfax, Va.; Pittsfield, Mass.; and Scottsdale, Ariz.

About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from one of every three Fortune 500 companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for high-school students, FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) for children 9-14 years old, and Junior FIRST LEGO® League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9 year-olds. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, operates and maintains mission systems for defense, space, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, homeland security and homeland defense customers. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., the company specializes in ground systems; imagery processing; mission payloads; space vehicles; maritime subsurface, surface and airborne mission systems; and tasking, collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination programs for national intelligence. More information is available online at www.gd-ais.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,900 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

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