Form 8-K

LOGO

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 19, 2008 (August 18, 2008)

 

    

GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION


    
     (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)     

 

Delaware


 

1-3671


 

13-1673581


(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

2941 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 100,

Falls Church, Virginia


 

22042-4513


( Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

    

(703) 876-3000


    
     (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)     

 

    

Not Applicable


    
     (Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report.)     

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 8.01 Other Events.

On August 18, 2008, General Dynamics Corporation and General Dynamics European Holdings BV entered into a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Jet Aviation Holding AG, a Swiss company, for CHF 2.45 billion (approximately $2.25 billion) in cash, from Dreamliner Lux S.à.r.l., a company controlled by Permira Funds. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, and is expected to close by the end of 2008.

A copy of the press release announcing the execution of the definitive share purchase agreement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

99.1    General Dynamics press release dated August 19, 2008, announcing General Dynamics’ agreement to acquire Jet Aviation.

 

-2-


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
by   /s/ John W. Schwartz
    John W. Schwartz
    Vice President and Controller
    (Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

Dated: August 19, 2008

 

-3-