Exhibit 99.1

          ADVANCED TECHNICAL PRODUCTS, INC. TO BE PURCHASED BY GENERAL
                           DYNAMICS FOR $250 MILLION

ROSWELL,  GA, May 2, 2002 - General Dynamics (NYSE:  GD) and Advanced  Technical
Products,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:  ATPX) today  entered into a definitive  agreement for
General  Dynamics to acquire  all 5.89  million  outstanding  shares of Advanced
Technical  Products  (ATP) for a cash  purchase  price of $33.50 per  share.  In
addition, General Dynamics would assume approximately $36.2 million of ATP's net
debt and retire  approximately $16.2 million in ATP stock options,  bringing the
transaction's  value to  approximately  $250 million.  The acquisition  would be
immediately  accretive to General  Dynamics'  earnings.  ATP closed at $28.53 in
yesterday's trading.

The  proposed  transaction,  unanimously  approved by the boards of directors of
both  companies,  is subject to ATP  shareholder  and  regulatory  approval  and
customary closing conditions.  It is expected to be completed within the next 60
days.  Upon  completion  of the  acquisition,  ATP will  become  part of General
Dynamics  Armament  Systems,  and the  combined  entity will be known as General
Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

The purchase of ATP gives General Dynamics a strong  technology  position on key
programs aligned with homeland defense and DoD transformation  initiatives.  ATP
is an industry leader in composites technology and production;  Armament Systems
is an industry  leader in  integrated  armament  products for air,  land and sea
platforms.

"Although  we make  different  products,  our  companies  serve many of the same
customers and have highly complementary technologies.  The combined organization
will be able to expand into new growth markets," said Linda Hudson, president of
General Dynamics Armament Systems.  When the transaction closes,  Hudson will be
the president of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

General Dynamics  Armament Systems provides a broad range of armament  solutions
for the full range of military applications.  The company designs,  develops and
produces  complete  armament  systems  for  warfighters,  fixed and rotary  wing
aircraft, land vehicles and sea-based platforms.  In addition,  Armament Systems
provides system management for several key DoD programs,  including the Hydra-70
2.75 inch rocket system. More information about Armament Systems can be found on
the World Wide Web at www.gdarm.com.

General  Dynamics,  headquartered in Falls Church,  Va.,  employs  approximately
52,000 people  worldwide  and had 2001 revenues of $12 billion.  The company has
leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical
information  systems and  technologies,  shipbuilding  and marine  systems,  and
business aviation.  More information about the company can be found on the World
Wide Web at www.generaldynamics.com.

Advanced  Technical  Products,  headquartered  in  Roswell,  Georgia,  has  four
operating  divisions  (Marion,  VA; Lincoln,  NE; DeLand, FL; and Glen Cove, NY)
employing  more than 1,400 people.  ATP  manufactures  advanced  composite-based
products using several manufacturing capabilities



including:  autoclave lamination,  filament winding,  resin transfer molding and
metal  bonding.  These  products  are on board many U.S.  fighter  aircraft  and
helicopters.  ATP is also a leader in the development and production of portable
biological and chemical  detection  systems,  tactical  deception  equipment and
mobile shelter systems.  More information about Advanced  Technical Products can
be found on the World Wide Web at www.atpx.com.

IMPORTANT LEGAL  INFORMATION:  Investors and security  holders are urged to read
the proxy statement regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available
because it will contain important information. The proxy statement will be filed
with the U.S.  Securities and Exchange  Commission by ATP, and security  holders
may obtain a free copy of the proxy  statement  when it becomes  available,  and
other  documents filed with the SEC by ATP, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
The proxy statement, and other documents filed by ATP, may also be obtained free
by directing a request to Advanced Technical  Products,  Inc. at 200 Mansell Ct.
East, Suite 505, Roswell, Georgia 30076. Investors may obtain a detailed list of
names, affiliations and interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies
of ATP at the address set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.