
<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23
<PAGE>   2
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

                 As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated
January 21, 1997, incorporated by reference in the Annual Report of General 
Dynamics Corporation on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, and of 
our report dated June 26, 1996 included in the Annual Report of the General 
Dynamics Corporation Hourly Employees Savings and Stock Investment Plan on 
Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and to all references to our 
Firm included in this Registration Statement.


                                                /s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                               ---------------------------
                                                     Arthur Andersen LLP

Washington, D. C.,
May 6, 1997
