General Dynamics Announces Early Termination of HSR Waiting Period for Proposed Acquisition of Force Protection

General Dynamics

announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has granted early termination of the waiting period required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino (

) Antitrust Improvements Act in connection with its $5.52-per-share cash tender offer to purchase the outstanding shares of common stock of Force Protection, Inc.

. As previously announced, General Dynamics and Force Protection agreed to the terms of the acquisition on November 7 following the approval by the board of directors of each company. Termination of the waiting period satisfies one of the conditions of the tender offer necessary for the acquisition to proceed.