Manufacturer catalog
United Defense, LP was the U.S. tracked-combat-vehicle and weapons-systems manufacturer formed from FMC Corporation's Defense Systems Group and Harsco Corporation's BMY-Combat Systems Division in the 1990s defense-industry consolidation cycle. GAO described the limited partnership as a combination of two Army tracked-vehicle manufacturers, while later United Defense filings tied the business to Bradley Fighting Vehicle work, M88 recovery vehicles, M113-family vehicles, M109-related artillery programs, naval gun systems, and missile-launcher lines.
1 weaponsThe limited partnership became effective in January 1994 after FMC and Harsco combined major defense operations at a time when U.S. tracked-combat-vehicle procurement had fallen sharply. GAO reported that the combination created one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of armored tracked combat vehicles and that United Defense then consolidated final assembly and test work from California toward Pennsylvania.
In 1997, an investment group led by The Carlyle Group acquired the partnership interests from FMC and Harsco through Iron Horse Investors. United Defense's 2000 Form 10-K described the company as a supplier of tracked armored combat vehicles and weapons-delivery systems to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries, with Bradley production and derivatives, Crusader artillery development, M88 recovery vehicles, M113 armored personnel carriers, and Mk45 naval guns among long-running programs.
The United Defense name later moved through United Defense Industries and into BAE Systems. A March 2005 United Defense release announced a definitive agreement for BAE Systems North America to acquire United Defense, and BAE Systems' 2005 annual report said the acquisition helped establish a global land-systems business covering armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, canisters, artillery systems, and intelligent munitions.
The catalog's M901A1 record uses the exact United Defense, LP manufacturer label for the M113-family tracked TOW carrier; public reference material ties the M901 family to United Defense production and TOW 2-compatible M901A1 upgrades.
Sources: M901 Improved TOW Vehicle | Army Guide
United Defense filings described the Bradley Fighting Vehicle as a primary program, stated that the company had maintained the prime-contractor position since production began in 1981, and identified ongoing upgrades and derivative vehicles as life-cycle work.
Sources: United Defense 2005 Form 10-K, BAE Systems Annual Report 2005
United Defense's 2001 registration statement listed the M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer as a company product line and described the M109A6 as the latest and most advanced howitzer upgrade then fielded.
Sources: United Defense 2001 Registration Statement
United Defense's 2000 and 2005 filings identified the M88 tank recovery vehicle as a long-running prime-contractor program and tied it to the company's tracked-combat-vehicle portfolio.
Sources: United Defense 2000 Form 10-K, United Defense 2005 Form 10-KGAO reported that FMC Corporation's Defense Systems Group and Harsco Corporation's BMY-Combat Systems Division combined operations effective January 1994, forming a limited partnership focused on armored tracked combat vehicles for the Army.
Sources: GAO United Defense Restructuring
United Defense's 2000 Form 10-K states that Iron Horse Investors, owned by an investment group led by The Carlyle Group, acquired all partnership interests in United Defense, L.P. from FMC and Harsco on October 6, 1997.
Sources: United Defense 2000 Form 10-K
The company's 2001 registration statement presented United Defense as a supplier of Bradley vehicles, Mk45 naval guns, Mk41 Vertical Launch System work, Crusader artillery development, Advanced Gun System development, M88 recovery vehicles, M113 armored personnel carriers, M109 self-propelled howitzers, M992 ammunition vehicles, and related combat systems.
Sources: United Defense 2001 Registration Statement
United Defense announced a definitive merger agreement under which BAE Systems North America would acquire United Defense in a transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion including assumed debt.
Sources: United Defense BAE Merger Release
BAE Systems' 2005 annual report described the United Defense acquisition as a step in building a global land-systems business and identified Land & Armaments capabilities in armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, artillery systems, canisters, and intelligent munitions.
Sources: BAE Systems Annual Report 2005
Sources use United Defense, LP, United Defense, and United Defense Industries for closely related predecessor and successor entities. This page keeps the LP legal name narrow and does not duplicate aliases already assigned to the separate United Defense manufacturer page.
Category
Troop carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and protected mobility.