SANTA CLARA, CA, 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.

Herb Muktarian
17.03.2005