Ceradyne’s Lightweight Armor Completes Successful Test by U.S. Army for Advanced LTAS Application

COSTA MESA, Calif.-Ceradyne, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRDN) has been notified by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) that Ceradyne’s alternate lightweight armor materials - submitted in response to the Army’s Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) requirements for advanced armor solutions for application on the tactical wheel vehicle fleet - have successfully completed testing by TACOM’s LTAS team. Testing was conducted at the U.S. Army’s Research Labs, Aberdeen, Maryland.

“This is a significant accomplishment for Ceradyne and the potential use of advanced lightweight ceramic composite materials,” said Marc King, Vice President Armor Operations. “It is the culmination of an eighteen month development effort including testing and data collection necessary to meet the Army’s stringent performance requirements and demonstrates that Ceradyne’s advanced armor materials can meet ballistic specifications with significant savings in weight compared to steel solutions. Ceradyne’s advanced armoring materials are now a step closer to being made fully available to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) truck manufacturers on a pre-approved basis whereby they can be incorporated into existing production and future vehicle cab designs.” Ceradyne Vehicle Armor Systems is in discussions regarding a pending order from truck manufacturer Oshkosh Truck for the first alternative LTAS lightweight materials armor kit anticipated to be installed on all composite lightweight “A3” HEMTT crew cabs in early 2008.

King also noted that this success is expected to support other requirements for advanced armor materials, including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), which will also incorporate an “A” and “B” Kit armor application design philosophy much like the current requirements of LTAS. “We believe the high level of performance of our lightweight alternate LTAS materials demonstrates Ceradyne’s leadership in this area of endeavor and directly addresses the Army’s desire to enhance overall crew survivability in the tactical wheel vehicle fleet,” said King.

Ceradyne develops, manufactures and markets advanced technical ceramic products and components for defense, industrial, automotive/diesel and commercial applications. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.ceradyne.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Ceradyne that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


CONTACT: Ceradyne, Inc.
Marc King
V.P. Armor Operations
301-346-0021
or
Silverman Heller Associates
Phil Bourdillon/Gene Heller
310-208-2550