Defense giant General Dynamics Corp., which owns sub builder Electric Boat in Groton and is acquiring a Rocky Hill surveillance-gear manufacturer, spent $2.6 million lobbying in the second quarter on a broad range of major weapons programs and government contracts, according to a recent disclosure form.
The Falls Church, Va.-based defense contractor, which also makes tanks and armored personnel carriers, spent $2.1 million during the year-ago period for lobbying work, and $2.1 million in the first quarter.
General Dynamics is due by Sept. 30 to finalize its $643 million purchase of Axsys Technologies Inc. in Rocky Hill.
General Dynamics lobbied on several programs included in the defense spending bill, such as combat vehicles for use in Iraq and Afghanistan, light and medium tactical vehicles, and other kinds of robotic systems. The company did not name specific weapon systems it lobbied on in the three-month period.
It also lobbied on ammunition, gun systems and submarines, according to the form filed July 20 with the House clerk’s office.
Outside of defense, General Dynamics lobbied on a bill to amend the tax code to extend research credit through 2010, as well as provisions related to cybersecurity.
Besides Congress, the company lobbied the departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, Justice, Transportation, as well as the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, National Security Agency and others in the April-June period. (AP)
