<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 16, 2004<BR>
<DIV ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT size="2">
Registration No.&nbsp;333-</FONT>
</DIV>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>FORM S-8<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Under</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES, INC.</B><BR>
(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="51%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>52-2059782</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">incorporation of organization)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P>
<HR width="26%" align="center" size="1" noshade>
<P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite&nbsp;700<BR>
Arlington, Virginia 22209</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Incentive Award Plan of United Defense Industries, Inc.</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>David V. Kolovat<BR>
Vice President, General Counsel<BR>
and Secretary<BR>
United Defense Industries, Inc.<BR>
1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite&nbsp;700<BR>
Arlington, Virginia 22209</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)<BR>
<B>(703)&nbsp;312-6100</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Copy to:<BR>
<B>David M. McPherson<BR>
Latham &#038; Watkins LLP<BR>
555 Eleventh Street N.W., Suite&nbsp;1000<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20004<BR>
(202)&nbsp;637-2200</B>
</FONT>
<P>
<HR width="26%" align="center" size="1" noshade>
<P>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="55%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="42%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed maximum</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed maximum</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of securities</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>of shares to be</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>offering price per</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>aggregate offering</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>to be registered</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>registered(1)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>share(2)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>price(2)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registration fee(3)</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" bgcolor="#eeeeee">
        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per
share</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">2,000,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>

      <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">33.24</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>

      <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">66,480,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>

      <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">8,423</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><HR size="4" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><HR size="4" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><HR size="4" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><HR size="4" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

    <TD width="96%"><font size="2">2,000,000 additional shares of common stock
      of United Defense Industries, Inc. (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;) are being
      registered to be offered or sold pursuant to the amended and restated United
      Defense Stock Option Plan in the form of the Incentive Award Plan of United
      Defense Industries, Inc. (the &#147;Amended and Restated Plan&#148;). In
      addition, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
      amended, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate number
      of shares of Common Stock that may be offered or sold pursuant to the terms
      of the Amended and Restated Plan to prevent dilution.</font></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating
      the registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(c) and (h) under the Securities
      Act of 1933, as amended. The proposed maximum offering price per share is
      based on the average high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported
      on the New York Stock Exchange on April 14, 2004.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Calculated pursuant to Section&nbsp;6(b) as
      follows: proposed maximum aggregate offering price multiplied by .0001267.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Explanatory Note</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) is filed
to register an additional 2,000,000 shares of common stock of United Defense
Industries, Inc. (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), par value $0.01 per share. These shares
of Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the amended and restated United
Defense Stock Option Plan (the &#147;Option Plan&#148;) in the form of the Incentive
Award Plan of United Defense Industries, Inc. (the &#147;Amended and Restated
Plan&#148;). On March&nbsp;2, 2004, the board of directors of United Defense Industries,
Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) approved the Amended and Restated Plan which increased the
number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Option Plan
by 2,000,000 from 7,375,000 shares to 9,375,000 shares. At the Company&#146;s
annual meeting of stockholders, held on April&nbsp;13, 2004, the stockholders
approved the Amended and Restated Plan.
The Company has previously registered 7,375,000 shares of Common Stock
authorized for issuance under the Option Plan. The Company registered
4,000,000 of these shares of Common Stock by filing a registration statement on
Form S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-101673) on December&nbsp;5, 2002. Pursuant to General
Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the earlier registration statement
are incorporated by reference to the extent not modified or superceded hereby
or by any subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference herein
or therein.







<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART I</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.</B>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not required to be filed with this registration statement.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</B>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not required to be filed with this registration statement.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>PART II</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents previously
  filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;)
  are incorporated as of their respective dates in this Registration Statement
  by reference: </FONT>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
  <TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">1.</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="93%"><FONT size="2">The Company&#146;s annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K
      for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003, filed with the Commission on
      March&nbsp;8, 2004 (File No.&nbsp;001-16821).</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">2.</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="93%"><FONT size="2">The Company&#146;s current report on Form&nbsp;8-K,
      filed with the Commission on February 24, 2004.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">3.</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="93%"><FONT size="2">The description of the Company&#146;s common
      stock incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s registration statement
      on Form&nbsp;8-A filed with the Commission on December&nbsp;13, 2001.</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed
  by the Company pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
  Act after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of
  a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
  been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold are deemed
  incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and are a part hereof
  from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
  to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to
  the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
  document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies
  or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
  not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
  this Registration Statement. </FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">2</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Reference is made to Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
or DGCL, which enables a corporation in its original certificate of
incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal
liability of a director for violations of the director&#146;s fiduciary duty, except
(1)&nbsp;for any breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders, (2)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3)&nbsp;pursuant to Section
174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful
payments of dividends of unlawful stock purchase or redemptions, or (4)&nbsp;for any
transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reference is also made to Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL, which provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who is,
or is threatened to be made, party to any threatened, pending or completed
legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, other than an action by or in the right of such corporation, by
reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent
of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as
a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise.
The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such
officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the corporation&#146;s best
interest and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that
his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any officer or
director in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same
conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial
approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or
otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must
indemnify him against the expenses that such officer or director actually and
reasonably incurred.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s amended and restated by-laws provides for indemnification of
the officers and directors to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company maintains insurance for its directors and officers for certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them in their capacities as directors and officers of the Company.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration
statement.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
  <TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Opinion of Latham &#038; Watkins LLP.</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center"><font size="2">10.1</font></TD>
      <TD><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></TD>
      <TD align="left"><font size="2">Incentive Award Plan of United Defense Industries,
        Inc. </font></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Consent of Ernst &#038; Young
        LLP.</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Consent of Latham &#038; Watkins LLP (included within Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Power of Attorney (included
        on the signature page hereto).</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
  </TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="left">&nbsp;
<P>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">4</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>




<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the city of Arlington, Virginia on April 14, 2004.
</FONT>

<P>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="35%" align=right>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES, INC</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">By: /s/ Francis Raborn</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2"><hr align=right width=90% noshade size=1></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Francis Raborn<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<br clear=all>&nbsp;
<P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Power of Attorney</B>
</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below authorizes Francis Raborn and
David V. Kolovat, or any of them, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his
name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, this Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 and any amendments thereto  necessary or advisable to enable
the Registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in
respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities which
are the subject of such Registration Statement, which amendments may make such
changes in such Registration Statement as such attorney may deem appropriate,
and with full power and authority to perform and do any and all acts and things
whatsoever which any such attorney or substitute may deem necessary or
advisable to be performed or done in connection with any or all of the
above-described matters, as fully as each of the undersigned could do if
personally present and acting, hereby ratifying and approving all acts of any
such attorney or substitute.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">5</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="39%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR>
        <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas W. Rabaut
<HR size="1" noshade>
Thomas W. Rabaut</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
        <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Francis Raborn
<HR size="1" noshade>
Francis Raborn</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
        <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ William E. Conway, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade>
William E. Conway, Jr.</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chairman of the Board of Directors
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
        <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Frank C. Carlucci
<HR size="1" noshade>
Frank C. Carlucci</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
        <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Peter J. Clare
<HR size="1" noshade>
Peter J. Clare</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>

</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>

      <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ C. Thomas Faulders, III
        <HR size="1" noshade>
        C. Thomas Faulders, III</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>

      <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Robert J. Natter
        <HR size="1" noshade>
        Robert J. Natter </FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
        <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ J.H. Binford Peay, III
<HR size="1" noshade>
J.H. Binford Peay, III</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
        <TD align=center valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ John M. Shalikashvili
<HR size="1" noshade>
John M. Shalikashvili</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

      <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">April 13, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">6</FONT>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES, INC.<BR>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
  <TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Opinion of Latham &#038; Watkins LLP.</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center"><font size="2">10.1</font></TD>
      <TD><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></TD>
      <TD align="left"><font size="2">Incentive Award Plan of United Defense Industries,
        Inc. </font></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Consent of Ernst &#038; Young
        LLP.</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Consent of Latham &#038; Watkins LLP (included within Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2"> Powers of Attorney (included
        on the signature page hereto).</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
  </TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">7</FONT>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "w95611sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 31510}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES INC", "cik": "0001051719", "assigned-sic": "3790", "irs-number": "522059782", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-114531", "film-number": "04738150"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1525 WILSON BLVD", "street2": "SUITE 700", "city": "ARLINGTON", "state": "VA", "zip": "22209-2411", "phone": "7033126100"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1525 WILSON BLVD", "street2": "SUITE 700", "city": "ARLINGTON", "state": "VA", "zip": "22209-2411"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 16, 2004
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
52-2059782
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation of organization)
1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700
Arlington, Virginia 22209
(Address of principal executive offices)
Incentive Award Plan of United Defense Industries, Inc.
(Full title of the plan)
David V. Kolovat
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
United Defense Industries, Inc.
1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700
Arlington, Virginia 22209
(Name and address of agent for service)
(703) 312-6100
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
David M. McPherson
Latham & Watkins LLP
555 Eleventh Street N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 637-2200
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Number
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Title of securities
of shares to be
offering price per
aggregate offering
to be registered
registered(1)
share(2)
price(2)
Registration fee(3)
Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per
share
2,000,000
$
33.24
$
66,480,000
$
8,423
(1)
2,000,000 additional shares of common stock
      of United Defense Industries, Inc. (the "Common Stock") are being
      registered to be offered or sold pursuant to the amended and restated United
      Defense Stock Option Plan in the form of the Incentive Award Plan of United
      Defense Industries, Inc. (the "Amended and Restated Plan"). In
      addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
      amended, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate number
      of shares of Common Stock that may be offered or sold pursuant to the terms
      of the Amended and Restated Plan to prevent dilution.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating
      the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities
      Act of 1933, as amended. The proposed maximum offering price per share is
      based on the average high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported
      on the New York Stock Exchange on April 14, 2004.
(3)
Calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) as
      follows: proposed maximum aggregate offering price multiplied by .0001267.
Explanatory Note
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") is filed
to register an additional 2,000,000 shares of common stock of United Defense
Industries, Inc. (the "Common Stock"), par value $0.01 per share. These shares
of Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the amended and restated United
Defense Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") in the form of the Incentive
Award Plan of United Defense Industries, Inc. (the "Amended and Restated
Plan"). On March 2, 2004, the board of directors of United Defense Industries,
Inc. (the "Company") approved the Amended and Restated Plan which increased the
number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Option Plan
by 2,000,000 from 7,375,000 shares to 9,375,000 shares. At the Company's
annual meeting of stockholders, held on April 13, 2004, the stockholders
approved the Amended and Restated Plan.
The Company has previously registered 7,375,000 shares of Common Stock
authorized for issuance under the Option Plan. The Company registered
4,000,000 of these shares of Common Stock by filing a registration statement on
Form S-8 (File No. 333-101673) on December 5, 2002. Pursuant to General
Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the earlier registration statement
are incorporated by reference to the extent not modified or superceded hereby
or by any subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference herein
or therein.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.
Not required to be filed with this registration statement.
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
Not required to be filed with this registration statement.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents previously
  filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
  are incorporated as of their respective dates in this Registration Statement
  by reference:
1.
The Company's annual report on Form 10-K
      for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Commission on
      March 8, 2004 (File No. 001-16821).
2.
The Company's current report on Form 8-K,
      filed with the Commission on February 24, 2004.
3.
The description of the Company's common
      stock incorporated by reference to the Company's registration statement
      on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on December 13, 2001.
All documents subsequently filed
  by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
  Act after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of
  a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
  been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold are deemed
  incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and are a part hereof
  from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
  to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to
  the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
  document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies
  or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
  not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
  this Registration Statement.
2
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Reference is made to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
or DGCL, which enables a corporation in its original certificate of
incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal
liability of a director for violations of the director's fiduciary duty, except
(1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) pursuant to Section
174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful
payments of dividends of unlawful stock purchase or redemptions, or (4) for any
transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
Reference is also made to Section 145 of the DGCL, which provides that a
corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who is,
or is threatened to be made, party to any threatened, pending or completed
legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, other than an action by or in the right of such corporation, by
reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent
of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as
a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise.
The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such
officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the corporation's best
interest and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that
his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any officer or
director in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same
conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial
approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or
otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must
indemnify him against the expenses that such officer or director actually and
reasonably incurred.
The Company's amended and restated by-laws provides for indemnification of
the officers and directors to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
The Company maintains insurance for its directors and officers for certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them in their capacities as directors and officers of the Company.
3
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration
statement.
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
5.1
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
10.1
Incentive Award Plan of United Defense Industries,
        Inc.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young
        LLP.
23.2
Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included within Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (included
        on the signature page hereto).
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the city of Arlington, Virginia on April 14, 2004.
UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES, INC
By: /s/ Francis Raborn
Francis Raborn
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director
Power of Attorney
Each person whose signature appears below authorizes Francis Raborn and
David V. Kolovat, or any of them, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his
name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, this Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 and any amendments thereto  necessary or advisable to enable
the Registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in
respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities which
are the subject of such Registration Statement, which amendments may make such
changes in such Registration Statement as such attorney may deem appropriate,
and with full power and authority to perform and do any and all acts and things
whatsoever which any such attorney or substitute may deem necessary or
advisable to be performed or done in connection with any or all of the
above-described matters, as fully as each of the undersigned could do if
personally present and acting, hereby ratifying and approving all acts of any
such attorney or substitute.
5
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Thomas W. Rabaut
Thomas W. Rabaut
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
April 13, 2004
/s/ Francis Raborn
Francis Raborn
Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Director
April 13, 2004
/s/ William E. Conway, Jr.
William E. Conway, Jr.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
April 13, 2004
/s/ Frank C. Carlucci
Frank C. Carlucci
Director
April 13, 2004
/s/ Peter J. Clare
Peter J. Clare
Director
April 13, 2004
/s/ C. Thomas Faulders, III
C. Thomas Faulders, III
Director
April 13, 2004
/s/ Robert J. Natter
Robert J. Natter
Director
April 13, 2004
/s/ J.H. Binford Peay, III
J.H. Binford Peay, III
Director
April 13, 2004
/s/ John M. Shalikashvili
John M. Shalikashvili
Director
April 13, 2004
6
UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES, INC.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
5.1
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
10.1
Incentive Award Plan of United Defense Industries,
        Inc.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young
        LLP.
23.2
Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included within Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included
        on the signature page hereto).
7