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                                          EXHIBIT 23, ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                                            FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                   COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-3671





                          GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



          As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation of our report incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996, into the company's previously filed
registration statements on Form S-8 file numbers 33-23448, 2-23904, 2-23032,
2-28952, 2-50980, 2-24270 and 33-42799.



                                                   /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                                   -----------------------
                                                       ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Washington, D.C.,
March 21, 1997


