United Defense Awarded Production Contract for 7 Additional M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicles for U.S. Army, Marine Corps

Contact:
Herb Muktarian
herb.muktarian@udlp.com
717-225-8004

YORK, PA — July 10, 2001 — United Defense has received a $12.2 million contract modification for the production of 7 additional M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles for the U.S. military.

The modification, awarded by the U.S. Army's Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, calls for 5 additional vehicles for the U.S. Marine Corps and 2 additional vehicles for the U.S. Army. Combined with a 44—vehicle production award issued in April 2001, the most recent order brings the total contract value to $118.1 million.

The M88A2 provides significant enhancements over older M88A1s, including 25 percent more towing muscle, 40 percent more lifting strength, and 55 percent more winch power, and operates with fewer crewmembers. These and other capabilities enable a single M88A2 to safely do the same work as two M88A1s in recovering a 70-ton M1 Abrams main battle tank.

"United Defense worked hard to combine orders and reduce costs, allowing the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army to afford more vehicles," said John G. Tile, United Defense's Program Director for Recovery Systems.

Under this contract modification, United Defense will deliver vehicles beginning in November 2002, and continuing through April 2003. The vehicles will be remanufactured from existing M88A1 vehicles selected for upgrade. Following vehicle teardown at Anniston Army Depot in Anniston, Ala., United Defense will remanufacture, assemble and test vehicles at the company's facility in York, Pa., with support from United Defense plants in Aiken, S.C., and Fayette County, Pa.

United Defense, L.P. is a leading global developer of armored combat vehicles and weapons systems, providing superior engineering and system integration skills, proven logistics support capability and international experience. The company's 5,300 employees are recognized for their outstanding research and development efforts in key technologies, the development of combat system operating software, and for highly efficient manufacturing processes of combat vehicles, and naval gun and launcher systems. Visit United Defense on the Internet at www.uniteddefense.com.

UNITED DEFENSE M88A2 HERCULES PROGRAM BACKGROUND

• Production of the 7 vehicles awarded under the contract modification will follow United Defense's 44-vehicle FY01 M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation (HERCULES) production work for the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
• United Defense is currently producing 27 HERCULES vehicles for the Marine Corps under a $64.1M contract issued in April 2000 by the Army's Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (the contracting authority) and the Marine Corps. The first M88A2 HERCULES under this contract was presented to the Marine Corps in April 2001, and delivery of these systems will continue through February 2002.
• All current production vehicles, and the 44 plus 7 FY01 vehicles will be remanufactured from existing M88A1 vehicles selected for upgrade. In partnership with Anniston Army Depot, which conducts the vehicle teardown, United Defense will remanufacture, assemble and test vehicles at the company's facility in York, Pa., with support from United Defense plants in Aiken, S.C., and Fayette County, Pa.
• United Defense is now under contract to produce 263 HERCULES vehicles for the U.S. military and allied forces. Through June, 155 total vehicles have been produced, with 119 fielded worldwide to date.

M88A2 HERCULES VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

• The M88A2 HERCULES makes it possible to safely recover M1 Abrams tanks and other tracked vehicles up to 70 tons.
• The M88A2 provides significant enhancements over the M88A1. HERCULES features a V12 1050hp turbo-charged diesel engine, 35-ton boom, overlay armor, 70-ton (140,000-pound) constant pull main winch, 3-ton auxiliary winch (used to deploy the main winch cable) increased speed, and improved steering and braking systems.
• HERCULES' increased capabilities allow three crewmembers in a single M88A2 to do the same work as two M88A1s and eight crewmembers in successfully conducting a 70-ton recovery mission. One M88A2 HERCULES can also upright an overturned M1 tank, or lift and carry an M1 turret.
• The Marine Corps version of the M88A2 is nearly identical to the Army vehicle configuration, with the addition of several specific Marine Corps requirements, including a deep water fording kit.
• The first U.S. Army M88A2 HERCULES was delivered in January 1996.