General Dynamics [GD] Land Systems yesterday said $10 million in work on the company’s pre-deployment Stryker vehicles will be added to its newly-acquired manufacturing site in Ladson, S.C.

The company said the newly acquired Force Protection manufacturing facility will install additional combat-related equipment on 292 Double-V Hull Strykers to be deployed to Afghanistan. The work includes additional communication, protection and situational- awareness enablers for the warfighter.

The new work begins in March and leverages the skills of mechanics, supply professionals and management and will create about 45 jobs. The work is expected to be completed by February 2013.

In December, General Dynamics completed its acquisition of Force Protection Inc., a provider of blast- and ballistic-protected platforms that support the armed forces of the United States and its allies (Defense Daily, Dec. 19, 20, 21). The transaction, valued at approximately $360 million, was announced Nov. 7 and is expected to be accretive to General Dynamics’ earnings in 2011. Force Protection is now part of General Dynamics Land Systems.