Exhibit 12 GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in millions) Nine Months Ended Year Ended December 31, September 30, 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 -------------------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings Before Income Taxes and Fixed Charges............................ 1,111 1,359 1,201 959 734 492 Fixed Charges: Interest expense................... 14 14 28 40 35 22 Amortization of debt discount...... 35 58 25 - - - Estimate of interest element of rental expense................. 21 25 22 15 10 13 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total fixed charges.................... 70 97 75 55 45 35 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges..... 15.9:1 14.0:1 16.0:1 17.4:1 16.3:1 14.1:1 =========================================================================================