NASSCO Receives ISO-14001 Certification for Advanced Environmental Management System February 14, 2001 -- SAN DIEGO, CA -- National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, (NYSE: GD), announced that it has become the first private shipyard in the United States to receive ISO 14001 certification for its comprehensive Environmental Management System and environmental protection policies. The American Bureau of Shipping conducted the certification process. ISO 14001 is a voluntary international standard that establishes the requirements for a company's Environmental Management System (EMS). Elements of the EMS include environmental policy, planning, operational controls, internal auditing, corrective action, continual improvement in environmental protection performance, and employee environmental awareness. Richard Vortmann, President of NASSCO, said, "ISO 14001 is just the first step for NASSCO toward becoming an environmental leader in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry. We are committed to continuously improve our environmental protection performance and to reduce all types of waste. NASSCO has pledged to comply with federal, state and local environmental laws, improve our environmental management and control systems, and fulfill our responsibilities as a good neighbor and a good corporate citizen in the San Diego community. "ISO 14001 establishes a systematic framework for incorporating environmental protection into our overall management strategy," Vortmann added. "The ISO 14001 standard is an effective method of fostering pollution prevention." In October 1998, NASSCO received ISO 9001 certification from the American Bureau of Shipping for the company's implementation of the international standards on manufacturing and engineering quality. The International Organization for Standardization in Geneva, Switzerland, negotiates international agreements that determine the ISO 14000 standards on environmental management and ISO 9000 standards on quality. NASSCO (www.nassco.com.) is the only West Coast shipyard capable of building and repairing large ocean-going vessels for the Navy and commercial customers. The shipyard employs approximately 3,000 people. General Dynamics (www.generaldynamics.com) of Falls Church, Virginia, has leading market positions in shipbuilding and marine systems, land and amphibious combat systems, information systems, and business aviation. The corporation employs approximately 46,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2001 sales of approximately $11.5 billion.

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