FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Strong sales of combat and information systems offset a drop in aerospace sales for General Dynamics, which reported a 17 percent increase in earnings for the third quarter and matched Wall Street expectations.

The defense contractor, parent of Maine’s Bath Iron Works, said Wednesday it earned $268 million, or $1.32 a share, on sales of $3.3 billion in the three months ending Sept. 29. That compares to earnings of $230 million, or $1.13 a share, on sales of $3 billion a year ago.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had predicted earnings of $1.32 a share.