United Defense, LP, Armament Systems Division, 4800 East River Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55421-1498

A -- SOURCES SOUGHT FOR MISSILE LAUNCHING CANISTER TECHNOLOGIES DUE 043000 POC Point of Contact: Daniel M. Lambert, M430, (612) 572-5379, Internet: daniel_lambert@udlp.com WEB: United Defense, LP, http://www.udlp.com/crusader. E-MAIL: United Defense, LP, daniel_lambert@udlp.com. United Defense L.P. (UDLP) is the Design Agent for missile launch canisters for the United States Navy's (USN) Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS). The Mk 41 VLS is installed on more than 50 ships of the USN and is also used by many allied navies. UDLP seeks potential partners with innovative concepts for canisters to meet requirements for future missiles. UDLP has three goals: 1. Find new and/or innovative design concepts including new materials, new shapes, new manufacturing, or process methodologies. 2. Cost effective implementation strategies for design through production. 3. Weight reduction to support heavier missiles and maintain a specific weight limitation of the canister and missile of 6,500 lbs. Most canisters in service are constructed from steel. UDLP is particularly interested in suppliers with concepts, technologies, analysis, methodologies, processes, facilities and expertise supporting the above three goals. Canisters serve as launch tubes and shipping containers for all missiles fired from the Mk 41 VLS. Current canisters are approximately 25inches square, by 22 feet long with necessary hardware attached. Canisters must withstand the heat, blast, and impulse of rocket motors, as well as a harsh marine environment. Additionally, all canisters must pass rigorous testing to ensure proper operation, while satisfying shipboard safety, ammunition safety, and Packaging, Handling, Shipping, and Transportation (PHS&T) safety concerns. UDLP is interested in potential domestic partners as well as partners in NATO countries, Australia, Japan, Korea and other U.S. Allies. Interested parties should contact Daniel M. Lambert United Defense L.P., Armament Systems Division, 4800 East River Road, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55421, Mail -Stop M430 or e-mail to daniel_lambert@udlp.com. Responding parties are requested to submit a (maximum) 10 page synopsis describing their offering and the goals it supports. Company data should include corporate size (number of people and revenue), sales in the business unit submitting the synopsis, relevant experience, size of manufacturing facilities, and engineering analysis capability. Offerors are requested to submit their 10-page synopsis by April 30th, 2000. All submissions will be acknowledged. Proprietary Information Agreements or Non-Disclosure Agreements will be put in place as appropriate. Successful offerors will be invited to partner with UDLP on the Canister team. Partnering agreements considered may be simple purchase orders, exclusive partner agreements, or range to potential Merger/Acquisitions (M&A) transactions. Posted 03/02/00 (D-SN430559). (0062)

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