General Dynamics profit rises 25 percent

(Adds analysts' estimates on full-year profit)

NEW YORK, July 23 (Reuters) - General Dynamics Corp (GD.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) reported a 25 percent rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday, helped by strong sales of its armored vehicles and business jets.

The defense contractor, which makes Abrams tanks and Gulfstream aircraft, posted second-quarter profit of $641 million, or $1.60 per share, compared with $513 million, or $1.26 per share, a year earlier.

Analysts' average profit forecast was $1.44 per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Quarterly revenue rose 10.8 percent to $7.3 billion.

General Dynamics said orders for which funding has already been approved grew by $5.2 billion, or 12.9 percent, due to strong orders for new aircraft in its aerospace group and demand for tanks, combat vehicles, tactical communications systems and information technology services.

Nicholas Chabraja, the company's chief executive, said in a statement that General Dynamics expects full-year earnings from continuing operations of $6 to $6.05 per share. Analysts' average forecast was $5.90 per share.

"Growth in the aerospace backlog is a reflection of continued demand for the entire existing product line and extremely strong demand for the new Gulfstream G650," said Chabraja. (Reporting by Bill Rigby and Mark McSherry; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and John Wallace)