United Defense Signs Cooperative Agreement with Army Research Lab

Contact:
Herb Muktarian
United Defense
herb.muktarian@baesystems.com
(717) 225-8004

YORK, PA, February 10, 2005 - United Defense Industries, Inc. (NYSE:UDI) has entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army's Research Lab (ARL) in support of its manufacturing technology objectives for advanced structures and applique armor that could be incorporated into future vehicles systems.

Under the agreement, United Defense will investigate, develop and demonstrate emerging technologies to reduce manufacturing costs and integration risks for future military systems. Work on the agreement will be managed at the United Defense facility in York, PA and is expected to continue through 2008. The effort is initially funded at $1.4 million and will encompass 14 specific projects and technologies over time.

"This agreement keeps our product development technologies and our manufacturing strategies aligned as we move into the future," said Elmer Doty, Vice President and General Manager for United Defense's Ground Systems Division. "Our work with ARL ensures that United Defense is contributing leading edge manufacturing processes and technologies for future vehicle systems."

The agreement, funded through the Department of Defense's Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech), could be funded up to $46 million over a five year period.

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 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.