Fairchild Corporation Subsidiary Fairchild Technologies Announces Multi-Million Dollar Order from Samsung for 0.25-Micron Falcon Deep UV Wafer Processing Systems; Six-Month Evaluation of Falcon System Shows Results Superior to Competing Systems.

CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 1996--The Fairchild Corporation (NYSE:FA) announced today that Fairchild Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary, has received a multiple system, multi-million dollar order from Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. for its innovative 0.25-micron Falcon DUV photoresist wafer processing systems.

The high-performance production systems, which feature an integrated local cleanroom capability, will be used by Samsung to produce the most advanced next-generation memory devices.

Samsung, whose 73 percent growth rate made it the world's fastest growing semiconductor chip manufacturer last year, conducted an extensive six-month test and evaluation of competing wafer processing systems under simulated production environments before settling on Fairchild's system. The Falcon achieved high throughput results, demonstrating greater reliability and flexibility for mix-and match applications than competing production equipment.

Commenting on the order, Fairchild Corporation chairman and CEO Jeffrey J. Steiner said, "The order from Samsung is a tremendous step forward for Fairchild Technologies. That we have become a key supplier to one of the world's largest manufacturers of DRAM chips demonstrates that we are setting a new standard for this high-growth industry."

"Under the most extensive manufacturing conditions our Falcon system again demonstrated its unmatched production advantages," commented Jacques Moskovic, president and CEO of Fairchild Technologies. The Falcon's superior processing technology enables chipmakers to achieve major increases in overall throughput, while greatly reducing the cost of semiconductor device manufacturing.

"Fairchild's Falcon technology is already an integral part of leading wafer fabrication plants in Europe, the Far East and United States," said Moskovic. "Samsung's order reflects the growing success and rapid worldwide demand for this advanced, cost-effective production tool. Not only does our Falcon system surpass current chip manufacturing requirements, we believe that it will become the platform for future generations of photoresist wafer processing systems."

Fairchild Technologies will install the new Falcon systems at Samsung's most advanced 8-inch wafer fabrication plants in South Korea beginning in the second quarter of 1997. Fairchild Technologies Asian Pacific Rim service center and Hantech Co., Ltd. of Korea will be responsible for joint technical and customer service support.

The Fairchild Corporation is a leading worldwide aerospace fastener manufacturer, parts distributor and semiconductor process equipment company. It also has a significant equity interest in the telecommunications services and systems business.

CONTACT: Mathews & Clark (For Fairchild Corporation)

Stewart R. Chalmers, 408/736-1120

or

Hill & Knowlton (For Fairchild Corporation)

Richard Wool, 212/885-0523