Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

(d) Election of Director

On October 7, 2009, the board of directors of General Dynamics Corporation elected William A. Osborn as a member of the board of directors, effective December 1, 2009. Mr. Osborn has not yet been appointed to any committees of the board. There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Osborn and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Osborn was elected as a director. At this time, the company is not aware of any transactions with Mr. Osborn that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

As a non-employee director, Mr. Osborn will receive the same compensation paid to other non-employee directors of the company in accordance with the policies and procedures previously approved by the board for non-employee directors as disclosed under the caption "Director Compensation" in the company's proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2009.

A copy of the press release announcing the election of Mr. Osborn is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

99.1 General Dynamics press release dated October 8, 2009, announcing the election of William A. Osborn to the board of directors.

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