United Defense Integrates Electro-Magnetic Armor Technology on Combat

    Business Editors/Defense Writers

    SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2005--United Defense Industries, Inc. (NYSE:UDI) achieved another industry first by successfully defeating incoming threats during live-fire testing of an Electro-Magnetic Armor (EMA) package fully integrated on a hybrid electric drive combat vehicle demonstrator.
    This effort, using an EMA package fully integrated with the hybrid-electric drive system, was accomplished through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the Army's Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren, Mich.
    According to TARDEC Director Dr. Richard McClelland, "Being able to leverage industry research expertise, such as this EMA program with United Defense, allows the Army to integrate life-saving advanced technology at a much more rapid pace than through traditional methods."
    "The successful completion of live-fire testing of an EMA package on a hybrid-electric vehicle demonstrator illustrates the type of multi-hit capability that can be integrated into vehicle systems at significantly lower weight to provide a level of protection similar to reactive packages," said Tom Hutson, project manager for United Defense.
    The EMA package successfully defeated a shaped charge threat during live fire testing Feb. 22 at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
    EMA technology can significantly enhance the survivability of vehicle systems as part of a layered approach ultimately aimed at increasing soldier protection. EMA uses high voltages and currents to defeat shaped charge warheads such as those from Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). Research in reliable power management and delivery at lower volumes and weights for Pulse Forming Networks (PFNs) allows the system level integration, experimentation and demonstration of EMA on a combat vehicle.

    About United Defense

    United Defense designs, develops and produces combat vehicles, artillery, naval guns, missile launchers and precision munitions used by the U.S. Department of Defense and allies worldwide, and provides non-nuclear ship repair, modernization and conversion to the U.S. Navy and other U.S. Government agencies. To learn more about United Defense, visit http://www.uniteddefense.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Information in this release may involve guidance, expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All forward looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to United Defense Industries, Inc., as of the date of the release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward looking statements. The statements in this release are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences. Please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and in our other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of the factors and risks associated with our business.

--30--RB/ph*

CONTACT: United Defense, GSD Herb Muktarian, 717-225-8004 Herb.Muktarian@udlp.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA MICHIGAN MARYLAND INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE AEROSPACE/DEFENSE GOVERNMENT MANUFACTURING PRODUCT SOURCE: United Defense Industries, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005