United Defense 57-mm Gun System Selected by Lockheed Martin for Littoral Combat Ship

Contact:
Jeff Van Keuren
United Defense, Public Affairs
(763) 572-7615
jeff.van.keuren@udlp.com

Doug Coffey, Media
United Defense
doug.coffey@udlp.com
(703) 312-6121

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - December 1, 2004 - United Defense Industries, Inc. (NYSE: UDI) has been selected to provide its 57-mm Mk 110 Naval Gun System for Lockheed Martin's Flight Zero Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

"Our Mk 110 Naval Gun System is ideal for Lockheed Martin's LCS design and meets the demanding core ship self-defense needs due to its exceptional lethality, range, high firing rate, accuracy, compact weight, and size," said Steve Kelly, United Defense's LCS program manager. "The 57-mm Mk 110 and its Mk 295 '3P' intelligent ammunition are unparalleled in defeating high-density small boat raids because of the ammunition's programmable, precision-timed fuse and lethal air-burst capability."

The initial contract is for long-lead material and contains options for procurement of the first two 57-mm guns for the LCS program upon receipt of government funding. United Defense will provide the gun systems, ancillary equipment and engineering and installation services. Contract award modifications for gun system production are expected in early 2005.

Work is scheduled to continue through the end of 2007, given the exercise of all options. High-volume production work is expected to be centered at the United Defense facility in Louisville, KY. Program management and gun support services will be led in Minneapolis, MN.

LCS, a revolutionary naval combatant designed to dominate the world's coastal waters, provides the Navy with fast, maneuverable and shallow draft ships aimed at maximizing mission flexibility. The ship's first missions will include mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare.

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 10 K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as well as its Quarterly Report on Form 10 Q for the quarter ended September 30, 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.