FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORP
S-4/A, 1997-06-24
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<PAGE>
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 24, 1997
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-26897
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
                            ------------------------
 
                      FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
           DELAWARE                          3674                  77-0449095
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or         Classification Code Number)     Identification
        organization)                                                 No.)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                         FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
           DELAWARE                          3674                  04-3363001
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or         Classification Code Number)     Identification
        organization)                                                 No.)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                      333 WESTERN AVENUE, MAIL STOP 01-00
                          SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE 04106
                                 (207) 775-8100
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrants' principal executive offices)
                         ------------------------------
 
                             DANIEL E. BOXER, ESQ.
            EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                      FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
                      333 WESTERN AVENUE, MAIL STOP 01-00
                          SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE 04106
                                 (207) 775-8100
 
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                         ------------------------------
 
                                WITH COPIES TO:
                          CHRISTOPHER G. KARRAS, ESQ.
                             DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS
                            4000 BELL ATLANTIC TOWER
                                1717 ARCH STREET
                        PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19103
                                 (215) 994-4000
                            ------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
 
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
   
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
    
 
   
    THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                      FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
                         FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
           PURSUANT TO RULE 404(a) AND ITEM 501(b) OF REGULATION S-K
SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY PART I OF FORM S-4
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>                                          <C>
       1.  Forepart of Registration Statement and
             Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus...  Forepart of the Registration Statement;
                                                        Outside Front Cover Page
       2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages
             of Prospectus............................  Inside Front Cover Page; Outside Back Cover
                                                          Page
       3.  Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
             Charges and Other Information............  Summary; Risk Factors; Selected Combined
                                                          Financial Data
       4.  Terms of the Transaction...................  The Exchange Offer; Description of the
                                                        Notes; Certain Federal Income Tax
                                                          Consequences; Plan of Distribution
       5.  Pro Forma Financial Information............  Summary; Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
                                                          Condensed Financial Statements; Selected
                                                          Combined Financial Data
       6.  Material Contracts With the Company Being
             Acquired.................................  Not Applicable
       7.  Additional Information Required for
             Reoffering by Persons and Parties Deemed
             to be Underwriters.......................  Not Applicable
       8.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.....  Not Applicable
       9.  Disclosure of Commission Position on
             Indemnification for Securities Act
             Liabilities..............................  Not Applicable
      10.  Information With Respect to S-3
             Registrants..............................  Not Applicable
      11.  Incorporation of Certain Information by
             Reference................................  Not Applicable
      12.  Information With Respect to S-2 or S-3
             Registrants..............................  Not Applicable
      13.  Incorporation of Certain Information by
             Reference................................  Not Applicable
      14.  Information With Respect to Registrants
             Other Than S-2 or S-3 Registrants........  Available Information; Summary; Risk
                                                        Factors; Use of Proceeds; Pro Forma
                                                          Capitalization; Unaudited Pro Forma
                                                          Combined Condensed Financial Statements;
                                                          Selected Combined Financial Data;
                                                          Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                                                          Financial Condition and Results of
                                                          Operations; Industry Overview; Business;
                                                          The Transactions; Management; Ownership
                                                          of Capital Stock; Description of Certain
                                                          Indebtedness; Description of the Notes;
                                                          Plan of Distribution; Legal Matters;
                                                          Experts; Glossary; Financial Statements
      15.  Information With Respect to S-3
             Companies................................  Not Applicable
      16.  Information With Respect to S-2 or S-3
             Companies................................  Not Applicable
      17.  Information With Respect to Companies Other
             Than S-2 or S-3 Companies................  Not Applicable
      18.  Information if Proxies, Consents or
             Authorizations Are to be Solicited.......  Not Applicable
      19.  Information if Proxies, Consents or
             Authorizations Are Not to be Solicited,
             or in an Exchange Offer..................  The Exchange Offer; Management; Ownership
                                                          of Capital Stock; Description of Certain
                                                          Indebtedness; Description of the Notes
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 24, 1997
    
 
PROSPECTUS                    OFFER TO EXCHANGE
 
                   10 1/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
                              FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
                   10 1/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
                                       OF
 
                      FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
          NEW YORK CITY TIME ON               , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED
 
    Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Fairchild" or
the "Company"), hereby offers to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to
$300,000,000 of its 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Exchange
Notes") for a like principal amount of its 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due
2007 (the "Existing Notes") outstanding on the date hereof upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying
letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal" and, together with this
Prospectus, the "Exchange Offer"). The Exchange Notes and the Existing Notes are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Notes." The terms of the Exchange
Notes are identical in all material respects to those of the Existing Notes,
except for certain transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the
Existing Notes. The Exchange Notes will be issued pursuant to, and be entitled
to the benefits of, the Indenture (as defined) governing the Existing Notes.
 
    The Exchange Notes will bear interest from and including the date of
consummation of the Exchange Offer. Interest on the Exchange Notes will be
payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing
September 15, 1997. Additionally, interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue
from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Existing
Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the
Existing Notes, from the date of original issue of the Existing Notes.
 
   
    The Exchange Notes will be unsecured and subordinated to all existing and
future Senior Indebtedness (as defined) of the Company. As of May 25, 1997, the
Company had approximately $120.0 million of Senior Indebtedness outstanding
under the Senior Credit Facilities (as defined). The Exchange Notes will rank
PARI PASSU in right of payment with all senior subordinated indebtedness of the
Company and senior to any other subordinated indebtedness of the Company issued
after March 11, 1997. The Company has no outstanding indebtedness to which the
Notes are senior. The Exchange Notes will be fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by FSC Semiconductor Corporation ("Fairchild Holdings"), the sole
stockholder of the Company. The Company has entered into bank credit facilities
(the "Senior Credit Facilities") with a group of lenders providing for $120.0
million of term loans and up to $75.0 million of revolving credit loans. The
indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities is secured by substantially all
of the domestic assets of the Company. See "Pro Forma Capitalization" and
"Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements and Unaudited
Supplemental Data."
    
 
    The Exchange Notes are being offered hereunder in order to satisfy certain
obligations of the Company contained in the Registration Rights Agreement dated
March 6, 1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") by and among the Company,
Fairchild Holdings, as Guarantor, and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, BT
Securities Corporation and CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp. (the "Initial
Purchasers") with respect to the initial sale of the Existing Notes.
 
    The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The
Company will pay all the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer. Tenders of
Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior
to the Expiration Date (as defined) for the Exchange Offer. In the event the
Company terminates the Exchange Offer and does not accept for exchange any
Existing Notes with respect to the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly
return such Existing Notes to the holders thereof. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
   
    The Company is offering the Exchange Notes in reliance on certain
interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") to third parties in unrelated transactions. Based
on such interpretive letters, the Company is of the view that holders of
Existing Notes (other than any holder who is an "affiliate" of the Company
within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act")) who exchange their Existing Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer generally may offer such Exchange Notes for resale, resell
such Exchange Notes and otherwise transfer such Exchange Notes without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act, provided such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course
of the holders' business and such holders have no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in a distribution of such Exchange Notes. If any
holder of Existing Notes is an affiliate of the Company, is engaged in or
intends to engage in or has any arrangement with any person to participate in
the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired in the Exchange Offer,
such holder (i) could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the
Commission and (ii) must comply with the registration requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer
that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale
of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivery of a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes
received in exchange for Existing Notes where such Existing Notes were acquired
by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the
Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for
use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
    
 
    Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the
Existing Notes. If a market for the Exchange Notes should develop, such Exchange
Notes could trade at a discount from their principal amount. The Company
currently does not intend to list the Exchange Notes on any securities exchange
or to seek approval for quotation through any automated quotation system, and no
active public market for the Exchange Notes is currently anticipated. There can
be no assurance that an active public market for the Exchange Notes will
develop.
 
    The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Existing Notes being tendered for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
   
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 16 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT HOLDERS OF EXISTING NOTES SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE
OFFER.
    
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
         PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
            REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
              The date of this Prospectus is               , 1997.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
   
    The Company and Fairchild Holdings have filed with the Commission a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement," which term
shall encompass all amendments, exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto)
pursuant to the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, covering the Exchange Notes being offered hereby. This Prospectus
does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement.
For further information with respect to the Company, Fairchild Holdings and the
Exchange Offer, reference is made to the Registration Statement. Statements made
in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other
document referred to are not necessarily complete. Although this Prospectus
describes the material terms of certain contracts, agreements and other
documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, with respect to each
such contract, agreement or other document reference is made to the exhibit for
a more complete description of the document or matter involved, and each
description thereof contained in this Prospectus shall be deemed qualified in
its entirety by such reference. The Registration Statement, including the
exhibits thereto, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the Regional Offices of the Commission at Seven World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and at Northwestern Atrium Center,
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such
materials can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants
that file electronically with the Commission. The address of such Web site is:
http://www.sec.gov.
    
 
    As a result of the Exchange Offer, the Company and Fairchild Holdings will
become subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith will be
required to file periodic reports and other information with the Commission. In
the event the Company ceases to be subject to the informational requirements of
the Exchange Act, the Company will be required under the Indenture, for so long
as any of the Notes remain outstanding, to furnish to the Trustee (as defined),
deliver or cause to be delivered to the holders of the Notes and file with the
Commission (provided that the Commission will accept such filing) copies of its
annual report and the information, documents and other reports which are
required to be filed by U.S. corporations subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act.
 
    This Prospectus includes forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties as to future events. Actual events or results may differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of
various factors, including, without limitation, those set forth under "Risk
Factors".
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY, AND SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION WITH, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. UNLESS THE CONTEXT
REQUIRES OTHERWISE, REFERENCES TO THE "COMPANY" OR "FAIRCHILD" MEAN (I) AT ALL
TIMES PRIOR TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS, THE FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR
BUSINESS OF NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION ("NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR") AND
(II) AT ALL TIMES AFTER THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS, FAIRCHILD
SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES. IN ADDITION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT
REQUIRES OTHERWISE, REFERENCES IN THIS PROSPECTUS TO "MANAGEMENT" MEAN THE
MANAGEMENT OF FAIRCHILD AFTER THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS. FOR AN
EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE
TO THE GLOSSARY BEGINNING AT PAGE G-1. REFERENCES TO THE COMPANY'S FISCAL YEAR
("FISCAL YEAR") REFER TO THE APPROXIMATELY 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING ON THE SUNDAY
ON OR NEAREST PRECEDING MAY 31 OF EACH YEAR.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Fairchild is a leading global designer, developer and manufacturer of logic,
discrete and memory semiconductors. The Company's products are the building
block components for virtually all electronic devices, from sophisticated
computers to household appliances. Because of their basic functionality, the
Company's products provide customers with greater design flexibility than more
highly integrated products and improve the performance of more complex devices
or systems. Given such characteristics, the Company's products have a wide range
of applications for end users in multiple markets ("multi-markets"). The Company
supplies over 50,000 customers globally, representing industries such as
telecommunications, consumer products, automotive, industrial systems and
personal computers and peripherals. In addition, most of Fairchild's over 7,000
products have long product lives. The average life of the Company's current
product families is more than 12 years and many product lives extend up to 30
years.
 
    Established more than 35 years ago, Fairchild was one of the original
founders of the semiconductor industry. Among Fairchild's notable innovations
was its development of planar technology in 1959, one of the key events that
spawned the subsequent explosive growth of the semiconductor industry. Even
today this technology is an integral part of all semiconductor fabrication. The
Company has manufacturing facilities in Maine, Utah, Malaysia and the
Philippines and has more than 6,000 employees.
 
    Worldwide semiconductor market revenues were $132.0 billion during 1996
according to the reports of Worldwide Semiconductor Trade Statistics ("WSTS")
published by the Semiconductor Industry Association. Since 1990, the global
semiconductor market has expanded at a compound annual growth rate ("CAGR") of
17.4%, primarily as a result of two principal factors. The first is rapidly
expanding end-user demand for faster, smaller and more efficient devices with a
greater range of functionality. The second is the increasing level of
semiconductor content in electrical devices. The value of semiconductors as a
percentage of the cost of electrical products has increased from less than 5% in
the 1970s to 16% in 1996, according to a study prepared by Texas Instruments
Incorporated.
 
    The worldwide semiconductor market can be divided into three segments: (i)
microprocessors and microcontrollers, which process data; (ii) memory devices,
which store data; and (iii) moving and shaping devices, which move commands and
shape signals. See "Industry Overview--Semiconductor Classifications." The
Company operates primarily in the moving and shaping segment ($56.1 billion
total available market ("TAM") in 1996) through its logic and discrete
businesses and, secondarily, through its electrically programmable read-only
memory ("EPROM") and electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory
("EEPROM") products, in the non-volatile memory segment ($6.1 billion TAM in
1996) of the memory business. While the market for semiconductors has
experienced growth and is expected to continue growing, it has from time to time
undergone short-term fluctuations in demand and capacity conditions. For
example, the 1996 worldwide semiconductor TAM ($132.0 billion) experienced an
overall decline from 1995 ($144.4 billion), according to WSTS. The decline was
primarily the result of a 36.2% reduction in sales in the volatile memory market
(which includes the dynamic random access memory
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
("DRAM") market). However, the Company believes that the markets in which it
competes (which do not include the DRAM market) along with the breadth of its
product portfolio and its focus on multi-market end users make its businesses
less vulnerable to these fluctuations.
 
PRODUCTS
 
   
    In Fiscal Year 1996, the Company derived approximately 89% of its revenues
from selling products to unaffiliated third parties ("trade sales") such as
original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and distributors, and approximately
11% from providing manufacturing services to National Semiconductor ("contract
manufacturing services"). None of the customers listed below accounted for more
than 5% of the Company's revenue during the indicated periods.
    
 
    STANDARD LOGIC PRODUCTS.  Fairchild is one of the three leading suppliers of
global standard logic ("logic") products, with a highly regarded trade name and
industry standard products such as Fairchild Advanced Schottky Technology
("FAST-Registered Trademark-") and Fairchild Advanced CMOS Technology
("FACT-TM-"). Standard logic products are semiconductor chips that interconnect
and route (or move) electronic signals on circuit boards. Logic products control
instructions inside electronic devices, such as those instructing a computer
display to turn on. Management estimates that the Company had a market share of
11.2% of the $2.9 billion of standard logic products sold worldwide in 1995. The
Company's logic products are used in a wide variety of microelectronics
applications, including personal computers and peripherals (38% of Fiscal Year
1996 logic trade revenue), telecommunications (32%), industrial systems and
other products (18%), consumer products (6%) and automotive systems (6%). The
Company supplies more than 4,700 types of logic devices to more than 50,000
customers worldwide, including AT&T Corporation, International Business Machines
Corporation, Lucent Technologies Inc., Siemens AG and Toshiba Corp.
 
   
    DISCRETE PRODUCTS.  Fairchild is the second largest U.S. producer of
discrete small signal semiconductors and a growing supplier of discrete power
semiconductors (together with small signal semiconductors, "discretes") with a
well established trade name and industry standard products. Discrete products
switch, amplify or otherwise shape or condition electrical signals. Products of
this type are used to manage the distribution of power inside electronic
devices, such as regulating the voltage of the LCD display of a microwave oven.
Nearly every electronic product contains a number of discrete devices, from
computers to dimmer switches for light fixtures. The Company's discrete products
are used in a wide variety of applications in personal computers and peripherals
(37% of Fiscal Year 1996 discrete trade revenue), industrial systems and other
products (23%), telecommunications (20%), consumer products (11%) and automotive
systems (9%). The Company supplies over 1,300 types of discrete devices to more
than 15,000 customers worldwide, including Compaq Computer Corp., Delco
Electronics Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Intel Corp., Motorola Inc., Northern
Telecom Ltd., Seagate Technology Co. and Sony Electronics Corp.
    
 
    NON-VOLATILE MEMORY PRODUCTS.  Fairchild is a leader in the global
non-volatile memory market with a highly regarded trade name and industry
standard Application Specific Standard Products ("ASSPs"), such as devices used
in Plug and Play internal modems, sound cards and other peripheral devices for
personal computers. Non-volatile memory products are semiconductor data storage
chips that retain data after power has been shut off. Products of this type,
including EPROMs and EEPROMs, are used to store data that does not frequently
change, such as the internal instructions a cellular phone uses to operate.
Management estimates that the Company had a market share of 9.3% of the
approximately $2.0 billion non-volatile memory market served by the Company in
1995. The Company does not produce DRAMs or other volatile memory products. The
Company's memory products are used in a wide variety of applications, including
industrial systems and other products (32% of Fiscal Year 1996 memory trade
revenue), telecommunications (22%), automotive systems (19%), personal computers
and peripherals (15%) and consumer products (12%). The Company supplies over 900
types of memory devices to more than 6,000 customers worldwide, including
Chrysler Corp., Delco Electronics, Ford Motor Co., Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba.
 
    For a more complete description, see "Business--Products and Technology."
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    CONTRACT MANUFACTURING SERVICES.  Fairchild has provided and will continue
to provide manufacturing services to National Semiconductor, including the
fabrication of semiconductor devices on silicon wafers and assembly and testing
services for chips. Historically, these services have been provided at cost;
however, under the Fairchild Foundry Services Agreement (as defined) and the
Fairchild Assembly Services Agreement (as defined), National Semiconductor is
required to purchase at least $330.0 million of services from Fairchild during
the first 39 months after the consummation of the Transactions at prices that
are designed to generate a 20% gross profit for the Company, subject to certain
conditions and adjustments. See "The Transactions--Manufacturing Agreements."
This arrangement will provide a base level of capacity utilization in the
Company's facilities and will cover a substantial portion of Fairchild's
associated fixed costs. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on National
Semiconductor."
 
COMPANY STRENGTHS
 
    Management believes that the Company's strong competitive position in each
of its businesses is primarily due to the following core strengths:
 
    MARKET LEADERSHIP.  From its origins as one of the founders of the
semiconductor industry, the Company has maintained a leading market position in
each of its product lines. Fairchild is recognized for its leadership in breadth
of products offered, worldwide distribution, high-volume manufacturing, on-time
delivery, customer service and competitive prices. Fairchild's strong customer
relationships give it an early opportunity to work with key customers to define
their future technological requirements, affording the Company a leading market
position and a competitive advantage in seizing new product opportunities. Many
of the world's leading telecommunications, computer and automotive companies
look to Fairchild to provide high-quality standard products as well as
customized solutions to complex problems. See "Business--Sales, Marketing and
Distribution."
 
   
    BREADTH AND QUALITY OF PRODUCT PORTFOLIO.  The Company offers a broad
portfolio of quality products, including one of the largest combined product
offerings in the industry for logic, discrete and memory devices. Fairchild
develops products for a wide range of market applications, reducing the
Company's dependence on any single product, application or market. As a broad
range supplier, the Company has the ability to provide its customers with a
single source of supply for multiple product needs. The Company has achieved a
reputation for maintaining the highest quality standards, as reflected by
numerous supplier awards and certifications. The Company believes that it has
established a record as a significant innovator in the semiconductor industry
with several leading edge technologies and industry firsts, including its
introduction of High Speed CMOS ("HCMOS") in the late 1970s,
FAST-Registered Trademark- and FACT-TM- in the 1980s and Low Voltage Logic
products in the 1990s. Recently, Fairchild won the Ford Q1 Preferred Quality
Award and the Outstanding Supplier Quality One Award from Intel. See
"Business--Customers and Applications."
    
 
    DIVERSE AND BLUE-CHIP CUSTOMER BASE.  The Company's diverse customer base,
in a wide spectrum of end markets, enables it to avoid much of the volatility
that may be encountered in specific semiconductor markets. In all, the Company
serves more than 50,000 customers, including the leading manufacturers in all of
its markets, with no single customer other than National Semiconductor providing
more than 5% of the Company's total annual revenue. In the telecommunications
market, which had a CAGR of 29% from 1990 to 1995 and accounted for
approximately 27% of Fiscal Year 1996 revenues, the Company has long-term
relationships with many customers including Alcatel Corp., Ericsson SA, Lucent
Technologies, Northern Telecom, Samsung Electronics, Inc. and Siemens. In the
personal computer market, which had a CAGR of 25% from 1990 to 1995 and
accounted for approximately 31% of Fiscal Year 1996 revenues, the Company's
customers include Compaq, Dell Computer Corporation, IBM, Intel, NEC
Corporation, Seagate Technology and Toshiba. In consumer products, a market
which had a CAGR of 15% from 1990 to 1995 and produced approximately 8% of
Fiscal Year 1996 revenues, the Company's customers include Canon Inc., Creative
Design & Manufacturing Ltd., Goldstar Electric Co., Sony and Zenith Data Systems
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
Inc. None of the foregoing customers accounted for more than 5% of the Company's
Fiscal Year 1996 revenues. See "Business--Customers and Applications."
    
 
    HIGHLY EFFICIENT MANUFACTURING FACILITIES.  The Company has spent
approximately $355.0 million during the past three years primarily to build a
new wafer fabrication plant ("fab") and to upgrade its existing facilities with
state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Management credits these capital
expenditures for yield improvements of 15% and capacity improvements of 40% for
the Class 1 fabs. Management therefore believes that the Company is well
positioned for growth and anticipates significantly lower capital outlays over
the next three years. The Company has two classes of fabs, Class 1 fabs, in
which the air in the manufacturing area has an average of less than one particle
no larger than 0.3 micron per cubic foot, and Class 100 fabs, which have an
average of less than 100 particles no larger than 0.5 micron per cubic foot. The
Company's Class 1 fabs and Class 100 fabs are capable of producing approximately
7,220 6-inch wafers per week and 6,500 6-inch equivalent wafers per week,
respectively. As a result of the Company's recent capital expenditure program,
the Company operates in a manufacturing environment which, coupled with its
leading edge technology, affords it a cost leadership position in the
multi-market semiconductor industry. The total yield in Fairchild's Class 100
fabs is greater than 90%, which management believes is among the best in the
world for facilities producing similar products. In addition, management
believes that the assembly sites in Penang, Malaysia and Cebu, the Philippines
are among the lowest cost facilities in the world as a result of the
installation of state-of-the-art equipment and unique manufacturing processes.
These facilities generated production yields in excess of 98% during Fiscal Year
1996. See "Business--Manufacturing."
 
    EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT.  The Company is led by an experienced senior
management team of five individuals who average more than 25 years in the
semiconductor industry. Fairchild's Chief Executive Officer, Kirk P. Pond, has
30 years of management experience in the semiconductor industry with Texas
Instruments and Fairchild, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer of
National Semiconductor. See "Management--Directors and Officers." In addition,
Mr. Pond and several other Management Investors (as defined) have made a $6.5
million cash investment in the Company's parent, Fairchild Holdings. See "The
Transactions." Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Management Investors
owned in the aggregate approximately 16% of the outstanding common stock of
Fairchild Holdings.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The Company's objective is to be the leading supplier of multi-market
semiconductors to the worldwide telecommunications, consumer products,
automotive, industrial systems and personal computer and peripherals industries.
As a stand-alone company, Fairchild will implement a business strategy
emphasizing the following key elements:
 
    INCREASE MARKET PENETRATION OF EXISTING PRODUCTS.  As the only global
semiconductor company focused solely on the logic, discrete and memory markets,
Fairchild is uniquely positioned to dedicate its sales and marketing efforts
toward expanding the market share of its existing products. Following National
Semiconductor's decision to launch Fairchild as an independent company,
Fairchild began to build an internal sales force dedicated solely to the sale of
Fairchild's products. The Company's internal sales force, authorized
representatives and distributors will be expanding customer information programs
(including technical specifications, application notes and on-line services),
augmenting the Company's comprehensive customer design-in support efforts
(including application engineering and detailed product performance data) and
increasing trade advertising.
 
    INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS.  The Company is focused on expanding its customer
base and increasing its market share by continuing to develop new products and
enhance its current product portfolio. The increasing portability of computers,
cellular phones and other electronic products is one of the industry's most
significant trends. The Company is designing new products to meet the power
management, lower voltage and heat dissipation characteristics demanded for
portability. In the logic market, the Company, in alliance with Toshiba and
Motorola, recently developed the advanced CMOS VCX family of 2.5 volt/2.5
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
nanosecond products. In the discrete market, the Company intends to build on its
current momentum in the surface DMOS Power MOSFET area with the addition of
products with low resistance, low gate drive, small footprints, thin profiles
and superior heat dissipation characteristics. In the memory market, the Company
has the broadest serial EEPROM product offering in the industry and intends to
offer even more of the widely accepted Microwire, IIC and SPI serial EEPROM
product families and to develop application specific memories, such as Plug and
Play components for the personal computer adapter card market and HiSeC for the
automotive market. Management believes that continued product innovation and
investment in research and development will help insulate it from changes in
demand patterns that affect particular customers, industry segments or
end-product markets.
 
    MAINTAIN COST LEADERSHIP.  The Company has made significant capital
expenditures over the last three years to increase capacity and improve
manufacturing efficiency at its facilities. Management believes that its fabs
and assembly and test facilities are among the most productive and efficient in
the industry. The Company will continue to invest in people and assets in order
to increase productivity and enhance process efficiency. Improvements now
underway include the expansion of a continuous flow process throughout the
entire Penang test facility and the introduction of reel-to-reel processing in
the Cebu assembly and test plant.
 
    MAINTAIN CONSISTENT HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE.  Multi-market
semiconductor products are available from a number of providers--accordingly,
logistical support, customer service and delivery are critical to customer
retention and sales growth. Fairchild seeks to distinguish its service by
providing the industry's best support services, including electronic order entry
and inquiry, just-in-time delivery and a full range of Internet services that
provide device specifications and order entry for samples. Fairchild's customer
support services are provided primarily from four regional customer support
centers as well as many other sales office locations throughout the world.
 
NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR RELATIONSHIP
 
   
    As a result of the Transactions, National Semiconductor owns 15.0% of the
equity of Fairchild Holdings and National Semiconductor and Fairchild each
provide the other with certain manufacturing and assembly and test services.
National Semiconductor is required to purchase at least $330.0 million of goods
and services from the Company during the first 39 months after the consummation
of the Transactions. See "The Transactions--Manufacturing Agreements." The
continuing relationship between National Semiconductor and the Company provides
an assured base of capacity utilization for Fairchild's facilities. The Company
is afforded continued access to a substantial portion of National
Semiconductor's proprietary technology which the Company plans to use to enter
new markets and strengthen its existing position. See "The
Transactions--Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement." National
Semiconductor had revenues of $2.0 billion in its fiscal year 1996 (excluding
revenues attributable to Fairchild) and is one of the major U.S. producers of
semiconductors. Although National Semiconductor retains an equity interest in
Fairchild Holdings, and although it has substantial commercial relations with
Fairchild, which will account for a significant portion of the Company's
revenues during the first 39 months after consummation of the Transactions,
National Semiconductor does not control Fairchild Holdings or Fairchild and
therefore is not legally responsible for Fairchild Holdings' or Fairchild's
performance. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on National Semiconductor."
    
 
                                THE TRANSACTIONS
 
    Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Recapitalization dated January 24,
1997 (the "Recapitalization Agreement") with National Semiconductor, the
following transactions occurred concurrently on March 11, 1997 (collectively,
the "Transactions"): (i) National Semiconductor transferred to the Company
substantially all of the assets and certain of the liabilities of the Fairchild
multi-market semiconductor business in exchange for (a) demand promissory notes
of the Company and its subsidiaries in the aggregate principal amount of $401.6
million (the "Purchase Price Notes") and (b) all of the Company's capital
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
stock; (ii) National Semiconductor transferred all of the capital stock of the
Company and approximately $12.8 million in cash to Fairchild Holdings, a
corporation newly formed by National Semiconductor for such purpose, in exchange
for shares of 12% Series A Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock of Fairchild
Holdings ("Holdings Preferred Stock"), common stock of Fairchild Holdings
("Holdings Common Stock") and a promissory note (the "Holdings PIK Note") of
Fairchild Holdings in the principal amount of approximately $77.0 million; (iii)
Fairchild Holdings issued (a) to Sterling Holding Company, LLC ("Sterling")
shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings Common Stock for approximately
$58.5 million in cash and (b) to Kirk P. Pond and Joseph R. Martin, together
with certain other key employees of the Company (the "Management Investors"),
Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings Common Stock for approximately $6.5
million in cash; (iv) Fairchild Holdings contributed cash in the amount of
approximately $77.8 million to the capital of the Company; (v) the Company
borrowed $120.0 million under the Senior Credit Facilities and received the net
proceeds from the issuance of the Existing Notes; and (vi) the Company repaid
the Purchase Price Notes in cash. See "The Transactions." For information
regarding the Senior Credit Facilities, see "Description of Certain
Indebtedness--Senior Credit Facilities."
 
   
    The following chart illustrates the ownership structure of the Company and
Fairchild Holdings following consummation of the Transactions.
    
 
   
                                     [LOGO]
 
    The principal executive offices of the Company and Fairchild Holdings are
located at 333 Western Avenue, Mail Stop 01-00, South Portland, Maine 04106 and
the telephone number of each is (207) 775-8100.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Securities Offered................  Up to $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10 1/8%
                                    Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007. The terms of the
                                    Exchange Notes and Existing Notes are identical in all
                                    material respects, except for certain transfer
                                    restrictions and registration rights relating to the
                                    Existing Notes.
The Exchange Offer................  The Exchange Notes are being offered in exchange for a
                                    like principal amount of Existing Notes. Existing Notes
                                    may be exchanged only in integral multiples of $1,000.
                                    The issuance of the Exchange Notes is intended to
                                    satisfy obligations of the Company contained in the
                                    Registration Rights Agreement.
Expiration Date; Withdrawal of
  Tender..........................  The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York
                                    City time, on         1997, or such later date and time
                                    to which it may be extended by the Company. The tender
                                    of Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
                                    withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. Any
                                    Existing Notes not accepted for exchange for any reason
                                    will be returned without expense to the tendering holder
                                    thereof as promptly as practicable after the expiration
                                    or termination of the Exchange Offer.
Certain Conditions to the Exchange
  Offer...........................  The Company's obligation to accept for exchange, or to
                                    issue Exchange Notes in exchange for, any Existing Notes
                                    is subject to certain customary conditions relating to
                                    compliance with any applicable law or any applicable
                                    interpretation by the staff of the Commission, the
                                    receipt of any applicable governmental approvals and the
                                    absence of any actions or proceedings of any govern-
                                    mental agency or court which could materially impair the
                                    Company's ability to consummate the Exchange Offer. The
                                    Company currently expects that each of the conditions
                                    will be satisfied and that no waivers will be necessary.
                                    See "The Exchange Offer-- Certain Conditions to the
                                    Exchange Offer."
Procedures for Tendering Existing
  Notes...........................  Each holder of Existing Notes wishing to accept the
                                    Exchange Offer must complete, sign and date the Letter
                                    of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, in accordance
                                    with the instructions contained herein and therein, and
                                    mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal, or
                                    such facsimile, together with such Existing Notes and
                                    any other required documentation, to the Exchange Agent
                                    (as defined) at the address set forth herein. See "The
                                    Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing
                                    Notes."
Use of Proceeds...................  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the
                                    Exchange Offer.
Exchange Agent....................  United States Trust Company of New York (the "Exchange
                                    Agent") is serving as the Exchange Agent in connection
                                    with the Exchange Offer.
Federal Income Tax Consequences...  The exchange of Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer
                                    should not be a taxable event for federal income tax
                                    purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
                                    Considerations."
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING EXISTING NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
   
    Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Commission
to third parties in unrelated transactions, the Company is of the view that
holders of Existing Notes (other than any holder who is an "affiliate" of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) who exchange
their Existing Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer generally
may offer such Exchange Notes for resale, resell such Exchange Notes and
otherwise transfer such Exchange Notes without compliance with the registration
and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided such Exchange
Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the holders' business and such
holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a
distribution of such Exchange Notes. If any holder of Existing Notes is an
affiliate of the Company, is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any
arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange
Notes to be acquired in the Exchange Offer, such holder (i) could not rely on
the applicable interpretations of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the
registration requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
in exchange for Existing Notes must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of
Distribution." In addition, to comply with the securities laws of certain
jurisdictions, if applicable, the Exchange Notes may not be offered or sold
unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or
in compliance with an available exemption from registration or qualification.
The Company has agreed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and
subject to certain specified limitations therein, to register or qualify the
Exchange Notes for offer or sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as any holder of the Notes reasonably requests in writing. If a
holder of Existing Notes does not exchange such Existing Notes for Exchange
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such Existing Notes will continue to be
subject to the restrictions on transfer contained in the legend thereon. In
general, the Existing Notes may not be offered or sold, unless registered under
the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction
not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Holders
of Existing Notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights under the
Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with the Exchange Offer. See "The
Exchange Offer--Consequences of Failure to Exchange; Resales of Exchange Notes."
    
 
    The Existing Notes are currently eligible for trading in the Private
Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") market.
Following commencement of the Exchange Offer but prior to its consummation, the
Existing Notes may continue to be traded in the PORTAL market. Following
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Exchange Notes will not be eligible for
PORTAL trading.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
    The terms of the Exchange Notes and the Existing Notes are identical in all
material respects, except for certain transfer restrictions and registration
rights relating to the Existing Notes.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Securities Offered................  $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's
                                    10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007.
 
Maturity Date.....................  March 15, 2007.
 
Interest Payment Dates............  March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing
                                    September 15, 1997.
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Optional Redemption...............  The Exchange Notes (and any outstanding Existing Notes)
                                    are not redeemable prior to March 15, 2002, except that,
                                    until March 15, 2000, the Company may redeem, at its
                                    option, up to an aggregate of $105.0 million of the
                                    principal amount of the Notes at the redemption price
                                    set forth herein plus accrued interest to the date of
                                    redemption with the net proceeds of one or more Public
                                    Equity Offerings if at least $150.0 million of the
                                    principal amount of the Notes remains outstanding after
                                    each such redemption. On or after March 15, 2002, the
                                    Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in
                                    whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth
                                    herein plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.
                                    See "Description of the Notes-- Optional Redemption."
 
Mandatory Redemption..............  The Company is required to redeem $150.0 million
                                    principal amount of Notes on March 15, 2005 and $75.0
                                    million principal amount of Notes on March 15, 2006, in
                                    each case at a redemption price of 100% of the principal
                                    amount plus accrued interest to the date of redemption,
                                    subject to the Company's right to credit against any
                                    such redemption Notes acquired by it otherwise than
                                    through any such redemption.
 
Change of Control.................  Upon a Change of Control and subject to certain
                                    conditions, each holder of the Notes may require the
                                    Company to repurchase the Notes held by such holder at
                                    101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
                                    interest to the date of repurchase. See "Description of
                                    the Notes--Change of Control." The degree to which the
                                    Company is leveraged could prevent it from repurchasing
                                    Notes tendered to it upon a Change of Control. See "Risk
                                    Factors--Substantial Leverage; Potential Inability to
                                    Service Indebtedness and Make Payments on the Notes."
 
Ranking...........................  The Exchange Notes will be unsecured and subordinated to
                                    all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the
                                    Company. As of May 25, 1997, the Company had
                                    approximately $120.0 million of Senior Indebtedness
                                    outstanding. The Exchange Notes will rank PARI PASSU in
                                    right of payment with all senior subordinated
                                    indebtedness of the Company and senior to any other
                                    subordinated indebtedness of the Company issued after
                                    the Offering. The Company has no outstanding
                                    indebtedness to which the Notes are senior. See
                                    "Description of the Notes-- Ranking" and "Pro Forma
                                    Combined Condensed Financial Statements and Unaudited
                                    Supplemental Data."
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Guaranty..........................  The payment of the principal of, premium and interest on
                                    the Exchange Notes is fully and unconditionally
                                    guaranteed by Fairchild Holdings. The guarantee by
                                    Fairchild Holdings is subordinated to all existing and
                                    future Senior Indebtedness of Fairchild Holdings,
                                    including Fairchild Holdings' guarantee of the Company's
                                    obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities.
                                    Fairchild Holdings currently conducts no business and
                                    has no significant assets other than the capital stock
                                    of the Company, all of which is pledged to secure
                                    Fairchild Holdings' obligations under the Senior Credit
                                    Facilities. See "Description of the Notes--Guaranty."
 
Restrictive Covenants.............  The indenture relating to the Notes (the "Indenture")
                                    limits (i) the incurrence of additional debt by the
                                    Company and its subsidiaries, (ii) the payment of
                                    dividends on capital stock of the Company and the
                                    purchase, redemption or retirement of capital stock or
                                    subordinated indebtedness, (iii) investments, (iv)
                                    certain transactions with affiliates, (v) sales of
                                    assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; and
                                    (vi) certain consolidations, mergers and transfers of
                                    assets. With respect to the incurrence of additional
                                    debt, the Indenture provides that the Company may only
                                    incur such indebtedness if the Consolidated Coverage
                                    Ratio exceeds 2.0 to 1.0. Briefly described, the
                                    Consolidated Coverage Ratio (see "Description of the
                                    Notes--Certain Definitions") is a ratio of aggregate
                                    EBITDA to aggregate interest expense (which expense is
                                    broadly defined to include, without limitation, interest
                                    on capital leases, non-cash interest expenses and fees
                                    charged for letters of credit, in addition to all other
                                    interest expenses) over a four-quarter time period. The
                                    Indenture also prohibits certain restrictions on
                                    distributions from subsidiaries. All of these
                                    limitations and prohibitions, however, are subject to a
                                    number of important qualifications. See "Description of
                                    the Notes--Certain Covenants."
 
Defaults..........................  An Event of Default is defined in the Indenture to
                                    include (subject to certain notice and cure provisions)
                                    (i) a default in the payment of interest, continued for
                                    30 days; (ii) a default in the payment of principal when
                                    due at maturity; (iii) the failure of the Company to
                                    comply with its obligations under certain covenants in
                                    the Indenture, subject in some cases to such failure
                                    continuing for certain periods of time; (iv) the failure
                                    by the Company to repay certain indebtedness within
                                    applicable grace periods after final maturity, or after
                                    acceleration because of a default by the Company under
                                    an agreement governing such indebtedness; (v) certain
                                    events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization by,
                                    or if certain judgments are entered against, the
                                    Company; and (vi) the failure of the Fairchild Holdings
                                    guaranty (or any subsidiary guaranty in effect) to
                                    remain in full force and effect in certain cases. See
                                    "Description of the Notes--Defaults."
</TABLE>
    
 
    For a more detailed discussion of the Exchange Notes, see "Description of
the Notes."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
   
    Both the Exisiting Notes and the Exchange Notes are subject to a number of
risks, including, without limitation, the Company's potential inability to make
payments on the Notes as a result of its highly leveraged position following
consummation of the Transactions, the subordinate ranking of the Notes, the
cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the possibility that the
Company's products may become obsolete. In addition, the Company's manufacturing
operations are dependent on certain sources of supply as well as various risks
attributable to its highly complex production processes.
    
 
   
    For a more detailed discussion of the foregoing and other risks, holders of
Existing Notes should review the information set forth under "Risk Factors"
beginning on page 16.
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                            SUMMARY HISTORICAL DATA
 
    The following table sets forth summary historical combined financial data
with respect to Fairchild. The summary historical combined financial data as of
May 28, 1995 and May 26, 1996 and for the three fiscal years ended May 26, 1996
are derived directly from the audited Combined Financial Statements of Fairchild
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The summary historical combined financial
data as of February 23, 1997 and for the nine months ended February 25, 1996 and
February 23, 1997 are derived directly from the unaudited Combined Financial
Statements of Fairchild included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The summary
historical combined financial data for the Fiscal Years ended May 31, 1992 and
May 30, 1993 and the summary historical balance sheet data as of May 31, 1992,
May 30, 1993, May 29, 1994 and February 25, 1996 are derived from unaudited
combined financial statements of Fairchild that are not included in this
Prospectus. Such unaudited combined financial statements of Fairchild, in the
opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for the fair
presentation of the financial condition and the results of operations of
Fairchild. Operating results for the nine months ended February 23, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for
Fiscal Year 1997. This information should be read in conjunction with the
Combined Financial Statements of Fairchild included elsewhere in this Prospectus
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." See "Selected Combined Financial Data."
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              FISCAL YEAR                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                ---------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
                                 1992    1993    1994    1995     1996   FEBRUARY 25, 1996   FEBRUARY 23, 1997
                                ------  ------  ------  -------  ------  -----------------   -----------------
                                                            (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>                 <C>
HISTORICAL STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue.......................  $535.7  $620.0  $716.6  $ 680.3  $775.4       $ 596.6             $509.7
Gross profit..................    84.5   124.0   248.3    203.8   215.1         176.4              101.5
 
Research and development......    30.9    24.5    27.4     31.0    30.3          22.7               13.6
Selling and marketing.........    46.5    44.7    55.0     56.8    65.6          50.0               33.5
General and administrative....    24.4    24.7    42.3     43.5    48.4          37.6               39.1
Restructuring.................    18.0      --      --       --      --            --                5.3
 
Revenues less direct and
  allocated expenses before
  other (income) expense and
  taxes.......................   (35.3)   30.1   123.6     72.5    70.8          66.1               10.0
 
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
 
REVENUE:
Logic.........................  $306.5  $326.6  $393.8  $ 327.7  $338.6       $ 261.9             $210.4
Discrete......................    65.8    67.2    80.0    116.4   175.0         135.2              118.1
Memory........................   109.0   148.9   185.1    185.5   174.2         135.8              105.4
Contract manufacturing
  services....................    54.4    77.3    57.7     50.7    87.6          63.7               75.8
                                ------  ------  ------  -------  ------       -------             ------
    Total revenue.............  $535.7  $620.0  $716.6  $ 680.3  $775.4       $ 596.6             $509.7
                                ------  ------  ------  -------  ------       -------             ------
                                ------  ------  ------  -------  ------       -------             ------
 
EBITDA(1).....................  $ (0.2) $ 64.4  $162.3  $ 117.2  $135.0         111.0               66.7
Cash flows from operating
  activities..................      --(2)   71.4  153.4   115.1   110.2          77.1               81.5
Cash flows from investing
  activities..................      --(2)  (34.0)  (88.2)  (112.9) (153.9)       (120.7)           (36.7)
Net financing provided to
  (from)
  National Semiconductor......      --(2)   51.8   65.2     2.2   (43.7)        (43.6)              44.8
Depreciation and
  amortization................    32.9    31.4    33.0     39.1    57.6          40.5               50.8
Capital expenditures..........    26.0    34.0    88.2    112.9   153.9         120.7               36.7
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(3)..................      --(4)   11.7x   84.7x    75.3x   46.2x         57.3x             8.4x
 
HISTORICAL BALANCE
  SHEET DATA (END OF PERIOD):
 
Inventories...................  $ 77.5  $ 55.0  $ 60.9  $  68.8  $ 93.1       $  96.3             $ 67.3
Total assets..................   187.8   175.5   233.0    323.2   432.7         422.2              390.2
Total business equity.........   140.6   100.8   161.1    233.2   349.2         346.8              314.0
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) EBITDA is defined as the sum of revenue less direct and allocated expenses
    before other (income) expense, interest expense, taxes and depreciation and
    amortization. EBITDA is presented because the Company believes that it is a
    widely accepted financial indicator of an entity's ability to incur and
    service debt. EBITDA should not be considered by an investor as an
    alternative to net income or income from operations, as an indicator of the
    operating performance of the Company or other combined operations or cash
    flow data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
    principles, or as an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
    Depreciation and amortization for purposes of the EBITDA calculation
    includes amortization for tooling. Tooling is classified as a current asset
    in the financial statements of the Company and amortization thereof is not
    included in depreciation and amortization for purposes of calculating cash
    flows from operating activities, nor are cash outflows for tooling included
    in capital expenditures for purposes of calculating cash flows from
    investing activities. Tooling amortization included in EBITDA totaled $2.2
    million, $2.9 million, $5.7 million, $5.6 million, $6.6 million, $4.4
    million, and $5.9 million, for the Fiscal Years 1992 through 1996, and for
    the nine months ended February 25, 1996, and February 23, 1997,
    respectively. Tooling expenditures totaled $3.4 million, $5.5 million, $6.1
    million, $5.2 million, $8.6 million, $6.1 million and $4.8 million for the
    same periods.
 
(2) Balance sheet data is not available for Fairchild prior to 1992. As such, it
    is not practicable to determine cash flow information for Fiscal Year 1992.
 
(3) Earnings consist of revenue less direct and allocated expenses before taxes
    plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consists of interest expense on debt and
    amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, and the portion (approximately
    one-third) of rental expense that the Company believes is representative of
    the interest component of rental expense.
 
   
(4) Earnings for Fiscal Year 1992 were inadequate to cover fixed charges by
    $34.8 million.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
   
    Holders of Existing Notes should carefully consider the risk factors set
forth below, which are generally applicable to the Existing Notes as well as the
Exchange Notes.
    
 
   
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE; POTENTIAL INABILITY TO SERVICE INDEBTEDNESS AND MAKE
  PAYMENTS ON THE NOTES
    
 
    The Company incurred substantial indebtedness in connection with the
Transactions and, as a result, is highly leveraged. On a pro forma basis after
giving effect to the Transactions, as of February 23, 1997, the Company would
have had total indebtedness of $420.0 million (exclusive of the Holdings PIK
Note) and stockholder's equity of $14.0 million. Of the total $497.8 million
used to consummate the Transactions, $420.0 million (84.4%) was supplied by debt
(excluding the $77.0 million Holdings PIK Note), and $77.8 million (15.6%) was
supplied by equity contributions. Pro forma interest expense, for Fiscal Year
1996 and nine months ended February 23, 1997, would have been $42.9 million and
$31.4 million, respectively. Fairchild Holdings issued the Holdings PIK Note to
National Semiconductor in exchange for all outstanding common stock of
Fairchild. Fairchild Holdings' ability to repay the principal on the Holdings
PIK Note is dependent on its ability to generate cash from its investment in
Fairchild. The Company may incur additional indebtedness in the future, subject
to limitations imposed by the Indenture and the Senior Credit Facilities. See
"Pro Forma Capitalization" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Statements and Unaudited Supplemental Data."
 
    The Company's ability to make scheduled principal payments of, to pay
interest on or to refinance its indebtedness (including the Exchange Notes)
depend on its future performance and financial results, which, to a certain
extent, are subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative,
regulatory and other factors beyond its control. The Company's historical
financial results have been, and its future financial results are anticipated to
be, subject to substantial fluctuations. See "--Cyclical Industry." There can be
no assurance that sufficient funds will be available to enable the Company to
service its indebtedness, including the Notes, or make necessary capital
expenditures or conduct needed research and development. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The
degree to which the Company will be leveraged following the Offering could have
important consequences to holders of the Notes, including, but not limited to,
the following: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from
operations will be required to be dedicated to debt service and will not be
available for other purposes; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain additional
financing in the future could be limited; (iii) certain of the Company's
borrowings are at variable rates of interest, which could result in higher
interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates; (iv) the Company
may be more vulnerable to downturns in its business or in the general economy
and may be restricted from making acquisitions, introducing new technologies or
exploiting business opportunities; and (v) the Indenture and the Credit
Agreement contain financial and restrictive covenants that limit the ability of
the Company to, among other things, borrow additional funds, dispose of assets
or pay cash dividends. Failure by the Company to comply with such covenants
could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, the degree to which the
Company is leveraged could prevent it from repurchasing all Notes tendered to it
upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, which would constitute an Event of
Default under the Indenture. See "Description of the Notes" and "Description of
Certain Indebtedness."
 
   
SUBORDINATE RANKING OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTY
    
 
   
    The payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on the
Exchange Notes, like the Existing Notes, is subordinate in right of payment, as
set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company. As of May 25, 1997, the Company's Senior
Indebtedness was approximately $120.0 million. Although the Indenture contains
limitations on the amount of additional indebtedness that the Company may incur,
under certain circumstances additional indebtedness may be
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
incurred, the amount of which could be substantial and which may be Senior
Indebtedness. See "Description of the Notes--Certain Covenants--Limitations on
Indebtedness." As a result of the Transactions, the Company realized
approximately $75.0 million of borrowing availability under the Senior Credit
Facilities. Any such amounts, when borrowed, will constitute Senior Indebtedness
of the Company.
 
    In the event of the bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the
Company, the assets of the Company will be available to pay the Notes only after
all Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been paid in full. Sufficient funds
may not exist to pay amounts due on the Notes in such event. In addition, the
subordination provisions of the Indenture provide that no cash payment may be
made with respect to the Notes during the continuance of a payment default under
any Senior Indebtedness of the Company. Furthermore, if certain non-payment
defaults exist with respect to certain Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness will be able to prevent payments on the
Notes for certain periods of time. See "Description of the Notes--Ranking."
 
    Although the Company's U.S. operations are owned directly, its foreign
operations are conducted through several subsidiaries organized outside the
United States (the "Foreign Subsidiaries"). The Foreign Subsidiaries have not
guaranteed or otherwise become obligated with respect to the Notes. The Notes
will therefore be effectively subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities, including indebtedness, of the Foreign Subsidiaries. As of February
23, 1997, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions, the
Foreign Subsidiaries would have had liabilities, excluding distributor reserves,
of approximately $21.6 million reflected on the Company's combined balance
sheet. Claims of creditors of the Foreign Subsidiaries, including trade
creditors, will generally have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries
over the claims of the Company and the holders of the Company's indebtedness,
including the Notes.
 
   
    Fairchild Holdings has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Notes.
Fairchild Holdings currently conducts no business and has no significant assets
other than the capital stock of the Company, all of which has been pledged to
secure Fairchild Holdings' obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities. Thus,
currently there are no resources supporting Fairchild Holdings' guarantee of the
Notes that are in addition to those to which holders of the Notes already have
access as direct creditors of the Company. Fairchild Holdings' guarantee of the
Notes is subordinated in right of payment to the guarantee by Fairchild Holdings
of the Company's obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities, but is senior
to Fairchild Holdings' obligations under the Holdings PIK Note. See "Description
of the Notes--Guaranty."
    
 
CYCLICAL INDUSTRY
 
    The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical. During the latter half of
Fiscal Year 1996 and the beginning of Fiscal Year 1997, the Company experienced
significant declines in the pricing of its products as customers reduced demand
forecasts and manufacturers reduced prices to keep capacity utilization high.
The cycle was highly publicized by both the trade and general news media, as the
semiconductor book-to-bill index ("Book-to-Bill") during this period fell below
1-to-1. Although in December 1996, Book-to-Bill exceeded 1-to-1, there can be no
assurance that the market for semiconductors will continue to improve, nor can
there be any assurance that the Company's markets will not experience other,
possibly more severe and prolonged, downturns in the future. Additionally, the
Company may experience significant changes in its operating profit margins as a
result of variations in sales, changes in product mix, price competition for
orders and costs associated with the introduction of new products.
 
    The markets for the Company's products depend on continued demand for
personal computers, telecommunications, automotive, consumer and industrial
electrical goods. There can be no assurance that these end-product markets will
not experience changes in demand that will adversely affect the Company's
prospects.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
LACK OF INDEPENDENT OPERATING HISTORY
 
   
    Prior to the consummation of the Transactions, the business of the Company
was conducted as a division of National Semiconductor since its acquisition by
National Semiconductor in 1987. During Fiscal Year 1996, the Company incurred
$144.3 million in costs for research and development, sales and marketing and
general and administrative activities. These costs represent expenses incurred
directly by the Company and charges allocated to Fairchild by National
Semiconductor. Following consummation of the Transactions the Company has begun
to provide many of these services on a stand-alone basis. However, to provide
certain of these services for a transition period, in connection with the
Transactions the Company entered into a Transition Services Agreement with
National Semiconductor pursuant to which the Company obtains certain of these
services substantially comparable to those previously provided. See "The
Transactions--Transition Services Agreement." There can be no assurance that
charges under the Transition Services Agreement will not exceed historical
charges or that upon termination of such Agreement the Company will be able to
obtain similar facilities and services on comparable terms. See "-- Dependence
on National Semiconductor."
    
 
    A substantial portion of the Company's sales have been and will continue to
be made through distributors. As a stand-alone entity, the Company will enter
into new distribution arrangements with its distributors. However, there can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain distribution arrangements
that are as favorable as those previously enjoyed by Fairchild as part of
National Semiconductor.
 
   
USE OF ASSUMPTIONS TO ESTIMATE OPERATING RESULTS
    
 
   
    Prior to consummation of the Transactions, the Company was a division of
National Semiconductor and had no independent operating history. Many expenses
that the Company now bears as a stand-alone entity were borne by National
Semiconductor, with all or some portion of such costs allocated to the Company.
In addition, Fairchild historically provided manufacturing services to National
Semiconductor at cost. Under the Manufacturing Agreements Fairchild provides
contract manufacturing services to National Semiconductor at rates designed to
generate a 20% gross profit for the Company, subject to certain conditions and
adjustments. As a result, estimated cost savings included in "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" are
based on management's estimates of what such expenses would have been on a
stand-alone basis, including the effect of the Transition Services Agreement and
of what contract manufacturing revenue would have been under the Manufacturing
Agreements. See "The Transactions--Manufacturing Agreements." There can be no
assurance that such estimates are accurate or reflect the actual expenses of the
Company on a stand-alone basis. If the Company's actual expenses were to exceed
such estimates, the Company's operating results would be less favorable than
those set forth in such discussion.
    
 
   
POTENTIAL FAILURE TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS; POTENTIAL FOR TECHNOLOGICAL
  OBSOLESCENCE
    
 
    The semiconductor industry as a whole is characterized by rapidly changing
technology and industry standards, along with frequent new product
introductions. The Company's success in these markets will depend on its ability
to design, develop, manufacture, assemble, test, market and support new products
and enhancements on a timely and cost-effective basis. There can be no assurance
that the Company will successfully identify new product opportunities and
develop and bring new products to market in a timely and cost-effective manner,
or that products or technologies developed by others will not render the
Company's products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive. A fundamental
shift in technology in the Company's product markets could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
 
   
POSSIBLE LOSS OF KEY CUSTOMERS AND STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
    
 
    In addition to the Company's continuing agreements for the sale of products
to National Semiconductor, the Company has several other large customers,
certain of which have entered into strategic alliances
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
with the Company. Many of the Company's key customers operate in cyclical
businesses and have in the past varied, and may in the future vary, order levels
significantly from period to period. The loss of one or more of such customers,
or a declining market in which such customers reduce orders or request reduced
prices, could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
DEPENDENCE ON CERTAIN SOURCES OF SUPPLY
 
    The Company's manufacturing operations depend upon obtaining adequate
supplies of raw materials on a timely basis. The Company purchases raw materials
such as silicon wafers, lead frames, mold compound, ceramic packages and
chemicals and gases from a number of suppliers on a just-in-time basis. From
time to time, suppliers may extend lead times, limit supply to the Company or
increase prices due to capacity constraints or other factors. The Company's
results of operations could be adversely affected if it were unable to obtain
adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner or if there were
significant increases in the costs of raw materials. In addition, the Company
subcontracts certain of its wafer fabrication and assembly and test operations
to other manufacturers, including Torex, Alphatec, and National Semiconductor.
The Company's operations could be adversely affected if these subcontract
relationships were to be disrupted or terminated.
 
MANUFACTURING RISKS
 
    The Company's manufacturing processes are highly complex, require advanced
and costly equipment and are continuously being modified in an effort to improve
yields and product performance. Impurities or other difficulties in the
manufacturing process can lower yields. The Company's manufacturing efficiency
will be an important factor in its future profitability, and no assurance can be
given that the Company will be able to maintain its manufacturing efficiency or
increase manufacturing efficiency to the same extent as its competitors.
 
    In addition, as is common in the semiconductor industry, the Company has
from time to time experienced difficulty in beginning production at new
facilities or in effecting transitions to new manufacturing processes and,
consequently, has suffered delays in product deliveries or reduced yields. There
can be no assurance that the Company will not experience manufacturing problems
in achieving acceptable yields or experience product delivery delays in the
future as a result of, among other things, capacity constraints, construction
delays, upgrading or expanding existing facilities or changing its process
technologies, any of which could result in a loss of future revenues. The
Company's operating results could also be adversely affected by the increase in
fixed costs and operating expenses related to increases in production capacity
if revenues do not increase proportionately.
 
DEPENDENCE ON NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR
 
    The Company continues to have rights and obligations under the continuing
agreements with National Semiconductor. The Fairchild Foundry Services
Agreement, pursuant to which National Semiconductor purchases products and
services from the Company, will account for a substantial portion of the
Company's revenues during the 39 months following the date of consummation of
the Transactions. Under the Transition Services Agreement, National
Semiconductor has agreed to continue to provide certain administrative services
to the Company. Under the Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement, National
Semiconductor has agreed to indemnify the Company against certain losses
relating to infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties. Any
material adverse change in the purchase requirements of National Semiconductor,
in its ability to supply the agreed-upon services, in its ability to fulfill its
intellectual property indemnity obligations or in its ability to fulfill its
other financial obligations under the continuing agreements could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. Although National Semiconductor has
retained an equity interest in Fairchild Holdings, and although it has and will
continue to have substantial commercial relations with Fairchild, National
Semiconductor does not control Fairchild Holdings or Fairchild and is not
responsible for Fairchild Holdings' or Fairchild's performance.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS; FOREIGN CASH FLOWS
 
    Fairchild maintains significant operations in Cebu, the Philippines, and
Penang, Malaysia. These facilities handle the assembly and test of most of the
Company's products. The Company has enjoyed favorable labor, regulatory and tax
conditions in both countries; however, the Company's foreign operations are
subject to the risks of doing business internationally, such as changes in
import duties, trade restrictions, transportation delays, work stoppages,
economic and political instability, foreign currency fluctuations, the laws and
policies of the United States and of the countries in which the Company's
products are manufactured and other factors which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business and results of operations. Management believes
that the loss of its facilities in the Philippines or Malaysia would materially
adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations until
alternative manufacturing arrangements could be secured.
 
   
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
    
 
    The Company's future success and competitive position depends in part upon
its ability to obtain and maintain certain proprietary technology used in its
principal products, and the Company relies in part on patent, trade secret,
trademark and copyright law to protect that technology. Some of the technology
is not covered by any patent or patent application, and there can be no
assurance that any of the more than 150 patents owned or thousands of patents
licensed by the Company from National Semiconductor will not be invalidated,
circumvented, challenged or licensed to others, that the rights granted
thereunder will provide competitive advantages to the Company or that any of the
Company's pending or future patent applications will be issued with the scope of
the claims sought by the Company, if at all. Furthermore, there can be no
assurance that others will not develop technologies that are similar or superior
to the Company's technology, duplicate the Company's technology or design around
the patents owned or licensed by the Company. In addition, effective patent,
trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable, limited or
not applied for in certain foreign countries. Certain of the Company's
technology is licensed on a non-exclusive basis from National Semiconductor
which may license such technology to others, including competitors of the
Company. Under the Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement, National
Semiconductor has limited royalty-free, worldwide license rights (without right
to sublicense) to all or some of the Company's technology. See "The
Transactions--Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement." There can be no
assurance that steps taken by the Company to protect its technology will prevent
misappropriation of such technology.
 
    The semiconductor industry is characterized by vigorous protection and
pursuit of intellectual property rights or positions, which have resulted in
significant and often protracted and expensive litigation. There is no
intellectual property litigation currently pending against the Company; however,
the Company may from time to time be notified of claims that it may be
infringing patents or other intellectual property rights owned by other third
parties. If it is necessary or desirable, the Company may seek licenses under
such patents or intellectual property rights. However, there can be no assurance
that licenses will be offered or that the terms of any offered licenses will be
acceptable to the Company. The failure to obtain a license from a third party
for technology used by the Company could cause the Company to incur substantial
liabilities and to suspend the manufacture or shipment of products or the use by
the Company of processes requiring the technology. Litigation could result in
significant expense to the Company, adversely affecting sales of the challenged
product or technology and diverting the efforts of the Company's technical and
management personnel, whether or not such litigation is determined in favor of
the Company. In the event of an adverse result in any such litigation, the
Company could be required to pay substantial damages, cease the manufacture,
use, sale or importation of infringing products, expend significant resources to
develop or acquire non-infringing technology, discontinue the use of certain
processes or obtain licenses to the infringing technology. There can be no
assurance that the Company would be successful in such development or
acquisition or that such licenses would be available under reasonable terms, and
any such development, acquisition or license could require expenditures by the
Company of substantial time and other resources. National Semiconductor has
agreed to indemnify the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
Company for limited periods of time against claims that may be made that the
Company's activities infringe the rights of others. See "The
Transactions--Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement."
 
    The Company also seeks to protect its proprietary technology, including
technology that may not be patented or patentable, in part by confidentiality
agreements and, if applicable, inventors' rights agreements with its
collaborators, advisors, employees and consultants. There can be no assurance
that these agreements will not be breached, that the Company will have adequate
remedies for any breach or that such persons or institutions will not assert
rights to intellectual property arising out of such research.
 
   
EFFECTS OF COMPETITION ON PRICING; UNANTICIPATED COMPETING PRODUCTS
    
 
    The semiconductor industry, and the multi-market semiconductor product
markets specifically, are highly competitive. Competition is based on price,
product performance, quality, reliability and customer service. The gross profit
margins realizable in the Company's markets can differ across regions, depending
on the economic strength of end-product markets in those regions. In addition,
even in strong markets price pressures may emerge as competitors attempt to gain
more share by lowering prices on those products. Competition in the various
markets served by the Company comes from companies of various sizes, many of
which are larger and have greater financial and other resources than the Company
and thus can better withstand adverse economic or market conditions than can the
Company. In addition, companies not currently in direct competition with the
Company may introduce competing products in the future.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
    The Company's success depends to a significant degree upon the continued
contributions of key management, engineering, sales and marketing, finance and
manufacturing personnel, certain of whom would be difficult to replace. The loss
of the services of certain of these executives could have an adverse effect on
the Company. There can be no assurance that the services of such personnel will
continue to be made available. The Company has entered into employment
arrangements with certain key executive officers and the Management Investors
have invested approximately $6.5 million to purchase approximately 16% of the
outstanding capital stock of Fairchild Holdings. See "Management" and "Ownership
of Capital Stock."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES; OTHER GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
 
   
    The Company is subject to various federal, state, local and foreign
environmental laws and regulations relating to the discharge, storage,
treatment, handling, disposal and remediation of certain materials, substances
and wastes used in or resulting from its operations. The Company's operations
are also governed by laws and regulations relating to workplace safety and
worker health which, among other things, regulate employee exposure to hazardous
substances in the workplace. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement (as
defined), National Semiconductor is obligated to indemnify the Company with
respect to certain environmental liabilities related to events or activities
prior to consummation of the Transactions, subject to certain limitations. See
"The Transactions--Asset Purchase Agreement." The nature of the Company's
operations expose it to the risk of liabilities or claims with respect to
environmental matters, including those relating to the on- and off-site disposal
and release of hazardous substances, and there can be no assurance that material
costs will not be incurred in connection with such liabilities or claims.
Management cannot predict what environmental or health and safety legislation or
regulations will be enacted in the future or how existing or future laws or
regulations will be enforced, administered or interpreted, nor can it predict
the amount of future expenditures which may be required in order to comply with
such environmental or health and safety laws or regulations or to respond to
such environmental claims. See "Business--Environmental Matters."
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OWNERS' CONTROL OF FAIRCHILD HOLDINGS AND THE COMPANY
    
 
    As a result of the Transactions, Sterling and the Management Investors own
approximately 85% of the outstanding voting stock of Fairchild Holdings, which
owns all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company. By virtue of such
stock ownership, such persons have the power to direct the affairs of the
Company and are able to determine the outcome of all matters required to be
submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of a majority of
the Company's directors and amendment of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation. See "The Transactions" and "Ownership of Capital Stock."
 
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES AND THE INDENTURE
 
    The Senior Credit Facilities and the Indenture contain a number of
significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the
Company to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, repay other
indebtedness, pay dividends, enter into certain investments or acquisitions,
repurchase or redeem capital stock, engage in mergers or consolidations, or
engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates and otherwise
restrict corporate activities. There can be no assurance that such restrictions
will not adversely affect the Company's ability to finance its future operations
or capital needs or engage in other business activities that may be in the
interest of the Company. In addition, the Senior Credit Facilities also require
the Company to maintain compliance with certain financial ratios. The ability of
the Company to comply with such ratios may be affected by events beyond the
Company's control. A breach of any of these covenants or the inability of the
Company to comply with the required financial ratios could result in a default
under the Senior Credit Facilities. In the event of any such default, the
lenders under the Senior Credit Facilities could elect to declare all borrowings
outstanding under the Senior Credit Facilities, together with accrued interest
and other fees, to be due and payable, to require the Company to apply all of
its available cash to repay such borrowings or to prevent the Company from
making debt service payments on the Notes, any of which would be an Event of
Default under the Notes. If the Company were unable to repay any such borrowings
when due, the lenders could proceed against their collateral. If the
indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities (and thus the Notes) or the
Notes were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that the assets of the
Company would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full. See "Description
of the Notes" and "Description of Certain Indebtedness--Senior Credit
Facilities."
 
   
POTENTIAL INABILITY TO REPURCHASE NOTES OR MEET OTHER CHANGE OF CONTROL
  OBLIGATIONS
    
 
    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company is obligated to make
an offer to purchase all outstanding Notes at a price equal to 101% of the
principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued interest thereon. The Credit
Agreement prohibits the Company from purchasing any Notes, and also provides
that the occurrence of certain Change of Control events with respect to the
Company constitutes a default thereunder. In the event of a Change of Control,
the Company must offer to repay all borrowings under the Credit Agreement or
obtain the consent of its lenders under the Credit Agreement to the purchase of
Notes. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings,
the Company would remain prohibited from purchasing Notes. In such case, the
Company's failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute a default under
the Indenture, which, in turn, would constitute a default under the Credit
Agreement. There can be no assurance that the Company will have the financial
ability to purchase the Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to comply with all of its
obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Indenture, the Holdings PIK Note and
the other indebtedness upon the occurrence of a Change of Control. See
"Description of the Notes--Change of Control."
 
LACK OF PUBLIC MARKET
 
    The Existing Notes are currently eligible for trading in the PORTAL Market.
The Exchange Notes are new securities for which there is no established market.
The Company does not intend to list the Exchange Notes on any national
securities exchange or to seek the admission thereof to trading in the National
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Initial
Purchasers have advised the Company that they currently intend to make a market
in the Exchange Notes. However, the Initial Purchasers are not obligated to do
so and any market making may be discontinued at any time without notice. There
can be no assurance as to the development of any market or the liquidity of any
market that may develop for the Exchange Notes. See "Description of the Notes."
 
FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE
 
   
    The Existing Notes were incurred to finance in part the acquisition of the
Fairchild multi-market semiconductor business of National Semiconductor, and
Fairchild Holdings guaranteed the Company's obligations under the Existing Notes
and will guarantee the Company's obligations under the Exchange Notes.
Management believes that the indebtedness of the Company represented by the
Notes has been incurred for proper purposes and in good faith, and that, based
on present forecasts, asset valuations and other financial information, after
the consummation of the Transactions, each of the Company and Fairchild Holdings
is solvent, has sufficient capital for carrying on its business and will be able
to pay its debts as they mature. See, however, "--Substantial Leverage;
Potential Inability to Service Indebtedness and Make Payments on the Notes."
Notwithstanding management's belief, however, under federal or state fraudulent
transfer laws, if a court of competent jurisdiction in a suit by an unpaid
creditor or a representative of creditors (such as a trustee in bankruptcy or a
debtor-in-possession) were to find that, at the time of the incurrence of such
indebtedness, the Company or Fairchild Holdings was insolvent, was rendered
insolvent by reason of such incurrence, was engaged in a business or transaction
for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital, intended
to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such
debts as they matured, or intended to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors,
and that the indebtedness was incurred for less than reasonably equivalent
value, then such court could, among other things, (a) void all or a portion of
Fairchild Holdings' or the Company's obligations to the Holders of the Notes,
the effect of which would be that the Holders of the Notes might not be repaid
in full and/or (b) subordinate Fairchild Holdings' or the Company's obligations
to the Holders of the Notes to other existing and future indebtedness of the
Company or Fairchild Holdings to a greater extent than would otherwise be the
case, the effect of which would be to entitle such other creditors to which the
Notes were not previously subordinated to be paid in full before any payment
could be made on the Notes.
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The gross
proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Existing Notes of $300.0 million,
together with the $120.0 million from the Revolving Credit Facility and the
$77.8 million equity contribution, were used (i) to finance the purchase of
Fairchild from National Semiconductor ($401.6 million), (ii) to pay fees and
expenses relating to the Transactions ($24.8 million) and (iii) to fund working
capital needs of the Company ($71.4 million).
    
 
                            PRO FORMA CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
February 23, 1997 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions.
This table should be read in conjunction with "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Condensed Financial Statements and Unaudited Supplemental Data," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
the Combined Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                AT FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                     1997
                                                                                ---------------
<S>                                                                             <C>
                                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
DEBT:
  Senior Credit Facilities:
    Revolving Credit Facility(1)..............................................     $  --
    Senior Term Facility (including $11.0 million current portion)............         120.0
  10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007..................................         300.0
                                                                                      ------
      TOTAL DEBT..............................................................         420.0
 
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY(2):
  Common Stock $.01 par value; 100 shares issued and outstanding as of
    February 23, 1997 on a pro forma basis....................................        --
  Stockholder's equity........................................................          14.0
                                                                                      ------
      TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY..............................................          14.0
                                                                                      ------
      TOTAL CAPITALIZATION....................................................     $   434.0
                                                                                      ------
                                                                                      ------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Borrowings of up to $75.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility are
    available to the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes.
    The Company did not draw upon the Revolving Credit Facility in connection
    with the Transactions.
 
(2) In addition to the Purchase Price Notes issued by the Company to National
    Semiconductor, Fairchild Holdings issued the Holdings PIK Note, Holdings
    Preferred Stock and Holdings Common Stock to National Semiconductor in
    exchange for all outstanding common stock of Fairchild and $12.8 million.
    Fairchild Holdings' ability to repay the principal on the Holdings PIK Note
    is dependent on its ability to generate cash from its investment in
    Fairchild.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                     UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    The following unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial statements
(the "Pro Forma Financial Statements") are based on the historical Combined
Financial Statements of Fairchild included elsewhere in this Prospectus adjusted
to give effect to the Transactions. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed
Balance Sheet gives effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred as of
February 23, 1997, and the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of
Operations give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred as of May 29,
1995. The Transactions and the related adjustments are described in the
accompanying notes. The pro forma adjustments are based upon preliminary
estimates and certain assumptions that management of the Company believes are
reasonable in the circumstances. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
have been made that are necessary to present fairly the pro forma data. Final
amounts could differ from those set forth below.
 
    The Pro Forma Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
notes included herewith, the Company's Combined Financial Statements and notes
thereto as of May 28, 1995 and May 26, 1996 and for each of the Fiscal Years in
the three-year period ended May 26, 1996, which have been audited by KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, the Company's unaudited
Combined Financial Statements as of February 23, 1997 and for the nine-month
periods ended February 23, 1997 and February 25, 1996, and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The Pro Forma Financial Statements do not
purport to represent what the Company's results of operations or financial
position would have been had the Transactions occurred on the dates specified,
or to project the Company's results of operations or financial position for any
future period or date.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 26, 1996
                                                              ----------------------------------------
                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                              HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS     PRO FORMA
                                                              ----------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Revenue
  Net Sales--trade..........................................    $687.8                       $687.8
  Contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor............      87.6        $  9.01(a)       96.6
                                                              ----------      ------         ------
                                                                 775.4           9.0          784.4
Cost of sales
  Cost of sales--trade......................................     472.7          (1.5) 1(b)     471.2
  Cost of contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor....      87.6                         87.6
                                                              ----------      ------         ------
                                                                 560.3          (1.5)         558.8
                                                              ----------      ------         ------
Gross profit................................................     215.1          10.5          225.6
  Research and development..................................      30.3                         30.3
  Selling and marketing.....................................      65.6          (3.5) 1(b)      62.1
  General and administrative................................      48.4          (3.1) 1(b)      45.3
                                                              ----------      ------         ------
Revenues less direct and allocated expenses before other
  (income) expense and taxes................................      70.8          17.1           87.9
  Other (income) expense....................................      (1.5)                        (1.5)
  Non-cash interest expense.................................     --              2.61(d)        2.6
  Cash interest expense.....................................     --             40.31(e)       40.3
                                                              ----------      ------         ------
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses before taxes.....    $ 72.3         (25.8)          46.5
                                                              ----------
                                                              ----------
  Provision for income taxes................................                    16.91(f)       16.9
                                                                              ------         ------
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses..................                   (42.7)        $ 29.6
                                                                              ------         ------
                                                                              ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
 See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed statements of
                                  operations.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 23, 1997
                                                                                  -------------------------------------------
                                                                                                PRO FORMA
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:                             HISTORICAL   ADJUSTMENTS        PRO FORMA
                                                                                  ----------   ------------      ------------
<S>                                                                               <C>          <C>               <C>
                                                                                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Revenue
  Net sales--trade..............................................................    $433.9                         $  433.9
  Contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor................................      75.8        $  5.11(a)           80.9
                                                                                  ----------      ------         ------------
                                                                                     509.7           5.1              514.8
Cost of sales
  Cost of sales--trade..........................................................     332.4          (0.6)1(b)         331.8
  Cost of contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor........................      75.8                             75.8
                                                                                  ----------      ------         ------------
                                                                                     408.2          (0.6)             407.6
                                                                                  ----------      ------         ------------
Gross profit....................................................................     101.5           5.7              107.2
  Research and development......................................................      13.6                             13.6
  Selling and marketing.........................................................      33.5                             33.5
  General and administrative....................................................      39.1         (15.7)1(b,c)        23.4
  Restructuring.................................................................       5.3                              5.3
                                                                                  ----------      ------         ------------
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses before other (income) expense and
  taxes.........................................................................      10.0          21.4               31.4
  Other (income) expense........................................................       0.4                              0.4
  Non-cash interest expense.....................................................     --              1.71(d)            1.7
  Cash interest expense.........................................................     --             29.71(e)           29.7
                                                                                  ----------      ------         ------------
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses before taxes.........................    $  9.6         (10.0)              (0.4)
                                                                                  ----------
                                                                                  ----------
  Provision for income taxes....................................................                    (0.1)1(f)          (0.1)
                                                                                                  ------         ------------
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses......................................                  $ (9.9)          $   (0.3)
                                                                                                  ------         ------------
                                                                                                  ------         ------------
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed statements of
operations.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
1   The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Operations give
    effect to the following adjustments:
 
    (a) Reflects the increase in contract manufacturing revenue from National
       Semiconductor under the terms of the Manufacturing Agreements (as
       defined) between the Company and National Semiconductor. Historically,
       the services to be provided by Fairchild under the Manufacturing
       Agreements have been provided at cost. However, the terms of the
       Manufacturing Agreements (i) require National Semiconductor to purchase
       at least $330.0 million of goods and services from Fairchild during the
       first 39 months after the Transactions are consummated and (ii) are
       designed to generate a 20% gross profit for the Company subject to a
       biannual price adjustment based on actual wafer costs for the previous
       six months, except that the prices cannot be adjusted upward. The pro
       forma adjustment represents the wafer prices as stated in the Agreement
       applied to the historical unit volume, and compared to actual costs. See
       "The Transactions--Manufacturing Agreements."
 
       There is no pro forma adjustment with respect to the agreement concerning
       sales from National Semiconductor to the Company. That agreement provides
       for a pricing arrangement identical to that described above, except that
       guaranteed volume levels are significantly lower than historical volume
       levels. If the prices as stated in such Agreement were applied to the
       historical unit volume, the result would be that the Company would have
       recorded lower costs of sales primarily because historical product mix
       and volume is not indicative of that considered by such agreement.
 
    (b) Historically, National Semiconductor has allocated the costs of
       corporate services, generally based on a percentage of sales or a
       relevant usage base. Certain of these services are expected to continue
       to be provided by National Semiconductor to Fairchild based on the
       Transition Services Agreement, on terms which are generally more
       favorable to the Company than represented by such historical allocations.
       The adjustment represents the difference between amounts previously
       allocated by National Semiconductor for these services and the amounts
       which would have been paid to National Semiconductor had the Transition
       Services Agreement been in effect since May 29, 1995 for those services
       covered thereby and for which the price is fixed and for which the
       historical costs are determinable. These adjustments can be summarized as
       follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  FISCAL YEAR    NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                     ENDED          ENDED
                                                                                                    MAY 26,     FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                                     1996           1997
                                                                                                  -----------  ---------------
                                                                                                         (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                               <C>          <C>
Logistical warehousing, planning and quality assurance services.................................   $     1.5      $     0.6
Regional and corporate sales and marketing services.............................................         3.5         --
Regional and corporate finance, human resources and general and administrative services.........         3.1            1.6
                                                                                                  -----------           ---
                                                                                                   $     8.1      $     2.2
                                                                                                  -----------           ---
                                                                                                  -----------           ---
</TABLE>
 
    (c) In the nine months ended February 23, 1997, Fairchild recorded charges
       of $14.1 million, primarily related to retention and incentive bonuses to
       key employees which were directly related to the Transactions. The
       adjustment reflects the elimination of such non-recurring retention
       bonuses accrued for employees in the nine-months ended February 23, 1997.
       These bonuses will be paid by National Semiconductor.
 
    (d) Represents non-cash interest expense of $2.6 million and $1.7 million in
       the Fiscal Year ended May 26, 1996, and the nine months ended February
       23, 1997 representing the amortization of debt issuance costs of $20.6
       million using the effective interest method.
 
    (e) Represents estimated cash interest expense from the use of borrowings to
       finance the Transactions and future working capital requirements.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  FISCAL YEAR   NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                     ENDED         ENDED
                                                                                                    MAY 26,    FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                                     1996          1997
                                                                                                  -----------  -------------
                                                                                                        (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                               <C>          <C>
Interest on Notes (10.125% on $300 million).....................................................   $    30.4     $    22.8
Interest on borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at LIBOR (5.5625%) plus:
    Term A 2.50% (8.0625% on $75.0 million).....................................................         5.7           3.8
    Term B 3.00% (8.5625% on $45.0 million).....................................................         3.8           2.8
Commitment fee of 1/2% on unused Revolving Credit Facility......................................         0.4           0.3
                                                                                                  -----------       ------
                                                                                                   $    40.3     $    29.7
                                                                                                  -----------       ------
                                                                                                  -----------       ------
</TABLE>
 
    (f) Represents the pro forma income tax provision as if the Company were a
       stand-alone entity, assuming certain non U.S. income is invested
       indefinitely outside the United States.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                      FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
 
                               FEBRUARY 23, 1997
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              ADJUSTMENTS TO
                                              REFLECT ENTITY      ENTITY        PRO FORMA
                                HISTORICAL    RECAPITALIZED    RECAPITALIZED   ADJUSTMENTS         PRO FORMA
                                ----------   ----------------  -------------   -----------         ---------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>  <C>             <C>           <C>   <C>
Current assets:
  Cash........................   $  --         $                  $--            $  71.4     2(a)   $ 71.4
  Inventories.................        67.3                          67.3                              67.3
  Prepaids and other..........         8.6                           8.6                               8.6
  Miscellaneous receivables...         9.6       (9.6)    1           --                                --
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
    Total current assets......        85.5       (9.6)              75.9            71.4             147.3
Property, plant and
  equipment...................       303.8                         303.8                             303.8
Deferred income taxes.........      --                            --                25.0     2(h)     25.0
Other assets..................         0.9                           0.9            20.6     2(d)     21.5
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
    Total assets..............   $   390.2       (9.6)            $380.6         $ 117.0            $497.6
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
Current liabilities
  Revolving credit facility...   $  --         $                  $--            $                  $--
  Current portion of bank
    debt......................      --                            --                11.0     2(b)     11.0
  Accounts payable............        41.3      (12.2)    1         29.1                              29.1
  Accrued expenses............        21.1       13.4     1         34.5                              34.5
  Special reserves............        13.8      (13.8)    1       --                                 --
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
    Total current
      liabilities.............        76.2      (12.6)              63.6            11.0              74.6
Long term bank debt, less
  current
  portion.....................      --                            --               109.0     2(b)    109.0
Senior Notes..................      --                            --               300.0     2(c)    300.0
Deferred income taxes.........      --                            --                                 --
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
    Total liabilities.........        76.2      (12.6)              63.6           420.0             483.6
Business equity/Stockholder's
  equity:
Business equity...............       314.0        3.0     1        317.0          (317.0)    2(i)    --
Common Stock ($0.01 par value,
  no shares authorized, issued
  and outstanding at February
  23, 1997; 100 shares
  authorized, issued and
  outstanding on a pro forma
  basis)......................      --                            --                                 --
Stockholder's equity..........      --                            --                14.0     2(j)     14.0
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
    Total liabilities and
      business
      equity/stockholder's
      equity..................   $   390.2     $ (9.6)            $380.6         $ 117.0            $497.6
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
                                ----------   ----------        -------------   -----------         ---------
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
 
   
1   Adjustments to the Company's historical Combined Balance Sheet as of
    February 23, 1997 to reflect the elimination of $9.6 million of receivables
    and $27.2 million of liabilities which are excluded from the Transactions
    and to reflect the assumption of $14.6 million in liabilities for
    distributor accounts receivable reserves which were recognized in the equity
    account in the historical balance sheet.
    
 
2   The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet gives effect to the
    following pro forma adjustments:
 
    (a) Represents the pro forma net increase in cash as a result of the
       following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 AMOUNT
                                                                                              -------------
<S>                                                                                           <C>
                                                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
Proceeds from Senior Term Facility..........................................................    $   120.0(b)
Proceeds from the Notes.....................................................................        300.0(c)
Deferred debt issuance costs................................................................        (20.6)(d)
Cash paid to National Semiconductor.........................................................       (401.6)(e)
Capital contribution from Fairchild Holdings................................................         77.8(f)
Equity transaction fees.....................................................................         (4.2)(g)
                                                                                              -------------
                                                                                                $    71.4
                                                                                              -------------
                                                                                              -------------
</TABLE>
 
    (b) Represents proceeds of $120.0 million received from 5-year and 7-year
       term loan borrowings at the LIBOR rate plus 2.5% and 3.0%, respectively.
       Interest rates of 8.06% and 8.56%, respectively, were used for purposes
       of calculating pro forma interest expense. The current portion of the
       term loan borrowings is $11.0 million.
 
    (c) Represents the proceeds received from the issuance of the Notes of
       $300.0 million at an interest rate of 10.125%.
 
    (d) Represents deferred debt issuance costs primarily comprised of
       underwriting, commitment and professional fees of $20.6 million
       associated with the Senior Credit Facilities and the Notes.
 
    (e) Represents cash paid to National Semiconductor of $401.6 million in
       exchange for National Semiconductor's transfer of the assets and assumed
       liabilities to Fairchild. See notes 2(i) and 2(j). National Semiconductor
       also received 100 shares of $.01 par value common stock in Fairchild
       which represents all of the outstanding common stock of Fairchild. The
       cash distribution to National Semiconductor is subject to a dollar for
       dollar adjustment to the extent that the Closing Inventory Amount is
       greater or less than the amount of inventory on a pro forma basis after
       giving effect to the Transactions on February 23, 1997 of $67.3 million.
       See "The Transactions-- Recapitalization Agreement."
 
    (f) Represents a capital contribution of $77.8 million from Fairchild
       Holdings. Fairchild Holdings received $77.8 million from Sterling,
       National Semiconductor and the Management Investors as follows. See note
       2(j):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  AMOUNT
                                                                                              ---------------
<S>                                                                                           <C>
                                                                                               (IN MILLIONS)
Received from Sterling in exchange for 53,113 shares of Holdings Preferred Stock, 3,553,000
  shares of Holdings Class A Stock and 7,163,880 shares of Holdings Class B Stock...........     $    58.5
Received from National Semiconductor in exchange for 11,667 shares of Holdings Preferred
  Stock, 1,095,000 shares of Holdings Class A Stock and 1,245,000 shares of Holdings Class B
  Stock and the $77.0 million Holdings PIK Note from Fairchild Holdings.....................          12.8*
Received from the Management Investors in exchange for 5,220 shares of Holdings Preferred
  Stock and 2,543,120 shares of Holdings Class A Stock......................................           6.5
                                                                                                     -----
                                                                                                 $    77.8
                                                                                                     -----
                                                                                                     -----
</TABLE>
 
       -------------------------------------
 
       *National Semiconductor also transferred 100 shares of Fairchild common
        stock to Fairchild Holdings.
 
    (g) Represents expenses of $4.2 million relating to the redemption of old
       common stock in Fairchild and the issuance of Holdings Preferred Stock,
       Holdings Class A Stock and Holdings Class B Stock. See note 2(j).
 
    (h) The asset purchase included in the Transactions qualifies as a taxable
       event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The pro forma adjustment
       represents the estimated deferred tax asset of $45.0 million related to
       the difference between the tax basis and the book basis of assets and
       liabilities as of February 23, 1997 after giving pro forma effect to the
       Transactions, net of a valuation allowance of $20.0 million.
 
    (i)  Represents the pro forma elimination of business equity of $317.0
       million as a result of the portion of the cash paid to National
       Semiconductor of $401.6 million attributable to business equity. See
       notes 2(e) and 2(j).
 
    (j)  Represents the pro forma stockholder's equity resulting from the
       following:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              AMOUNT
                                                                                           -------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
                                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
The excess of the $401.6 million paid to National Semiconductor over the $317.0 million
  attributable to business equity........................................................    $   (84.6)(e)(i)
Capital contribution from Fairchild Holdings.............................................         77.8(f)
Equity transaction fees..................................................................         (4.2)(g)
Deferred tax asset.......................................................................         25.0(h)
                                                                                                ------
                                                                                             $    14.0
                                                                                                ------
                                                                                                ------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
                        SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following table sets forth selected historical combined financial data
with respect to Fairchild. The historical combined financial data as of May 28,
1995 and May 26, 1996 and for the three fiscal years ended May 26, 1996 are
derived directly from the audited Combined Financial Statements of Fairchild
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The historical combined financial data as
of February 23, 1997 and for the nine months ended February 25, 1996 and
February 23, 1997 are derived directly from the unaudited Combined Financial
Statements of Fairchild included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The historical
combined financial data as of May 31, 1992, May 30, 1993, May 29, 1994 and
February 25, 1996 and for the Fiscal Years ended May 31, 1992 and May 30, 1993
are derived from unaudited combined financial statements of Fairchild that are
not included in this Prospectus. Such unaudited combined financial statements,
in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for the fair
presentation of the financial condition and the results of operations of
Fairchild for such periods and as of such dates. Operating results for the nine
months ended February 23, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results of
operations that may be expected for Fiscal Year 1997. This information should be
read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements of Fairchild included
elsewhere in this Prospectus and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                               ENDED
                                                                         FISCAL YEAR                       -------------
                                                    -----------------------------------------------------  FEBRUARY 25,
                                                      1992       1993       1994       1995       1996         1996
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                           (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
HISTORICAL STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 
Revenue...........................................  $   535.7  $   620.0  $   716.6  $   680.3  $   775.4    $   596.6
 
Gross profit......................................       84.5      124.0      248.3      203.8      215.1        176.4
Research and development..........................       30.9       24.5       27.4       31.0       30.3         22.7
Selling and marketing.............................       46.5       44.7       55.0       56.8       65.6         50.0
General and administrative........................       24.4       24.7       42.3       43.5       48.4         37.6
Restructuring.....................................       18.0         --         --         --         --           --
 
Revenues less direct and allocated expenses before
 other (income) expense and taxes.................      (35.3)      30.1      123.6       72.5       70.8         66.1
 
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
REVENUE:
Logic.............................................  $   306.5  $   326.6  $   393.8  $   327.7  $   338.6    $   261.9
Discrete..........................................       65.8       67.2       80.0      116.4      175.0        135.2
Memory............................................      109.0      148.9      185.1      185.5      174.2        135.8
Contract manufacturing services...................       54.4       77.3       57.7       50.7       87.6         63.7
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------
      Total revenue...............................  $   535.7  $   620.0  $   716.6  $   680.3  $   775.4    $   596.6
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------
Depreciation and amortization.....................  $    32.9  $    31.4  $    33.0  $    39.1  $    57.6    $    40.5
Capital expenditures..............................  $    26.0  $    34.0  $    88.2  $   112.9  $   153.9    $   120.7
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1).............         --(2)      11.7x      84.7x      75.3x      46.2x        57.3x
Fairchild Holdings ratio of earnings to combined
 fixed charges(3).................................         --(2)      11.7x      84.7x      75.3x      46.2x        57.3x
 
HISTORICAL BALANCE SHEET DATA (END OF PERIOD):
 
Inventories.......................................  $    77.5  $    55.0  $    60.9  $    68.8  $    93.1    $    96.3
Total assets......................................      187.8      175.5      233.0      323.2      432.7        422.2
Total business equity.............................      140.6      100.8      161.1      233.2      349.2        346.8
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                    FEBRUARY 23,
                                                        1997
                                                    -------------
<S>                                                 <C>
 
HISTORICAL STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue...........................................    $   509.7
Gross profit......................................        101.5
Research and development..........................         13.6
Selling and marketing.............................         33.5
General and administrative........................         39.1
Restructuring.....................................          5.3
Revenues less direct and allocated expenses before
 other (income) expense and taxes.................         10.0
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
REVENUE:
Logic.............................................    $   210.4
Discrete..........................................        118.1
Memory............................................        105.4
Contract manufacturing services...................         75.8
                                                    -------------
      Total revenue...............................    $   509.7
                                                    -------------
                                                    -------------
Depreciation and amortization.....................    $    50.8
Capital expenditures..............................    $    36.7
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1).............          8.4x
Fairchild Holdings ratio of earnings to combined
 fixed charges(3).................................          8.4x
HISTORICAL BALANCE SHEET DATA (END OF PERIOD):
Inventories.......................................    $    67.3
Total assets......................................        390.2
Total business equity.............................        314.0
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Earnings consist of revenue less direct and allocated expenses before taxes
    plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consists of interest expense on debt and
    amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, and the portion (approximately
    one-third) of rental expense that the Company believes is representative of
    the interest component of rental expense. For Fiscal Year 1996, on a pro
    forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions, the ratio of earnings
    to fixed charges was 2.0x. For the nine months ended February 23, 1997, on a
    pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions, earnings were
    inadequate to cover fixed charges by $0.4 million.
 
(2) Earnings for Fiscal Year 1992 were inadequate to cover fixed charges by
    $34.8 million.
 
(3) Earnings consist of Fairchild Holdings revenue less direct and allocated
    expenses before taxes plus fixed charges. Combined Fixed Charges consist of
    interest expense on debt and amortization of deferred debt issuance costs,
    preferred dividends and the portion (approximately one-third) of rental
    expense that the Company believes is representative of the interest
    component of rental expense. For Fiscal Year 1996, on a pro forma basis
    after giving effect to the Transactions, the Fairchild Holdings ratio of
    earnings to combined fixed charges was 1.5x. For the nine months ended
    February 23, 1997, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the
    Transactions, earnings were inadequate to cover combined fixed charges by
    $15.1 million.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Combined
Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
Company generally accounts for its revenue by major product group (logic,
discrete and memory); however, the Company separately accounts for its revenue
from National Semiconductor as contract manufacturing services. Revenue by
product group, referred to as "trade sales," represent sales of products to
unaffiliated purchasers at market prices, while contract manufacturing services
have historically been provided at cost to National Semiconductor.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    The following table sets forth the composition of historical revenue by
product group and contract manufacturing services, as a percentage of total
revenues:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                                                  -------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                    MAY 29,      MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                     1994         1995         1996
                                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------
Logic...........................................................        55.0%        48.1%        43.7%
Discrete........................................................        11.2         17.1         22.6
Memory..........................................................        25.8         27.3         22.5
Contract manufacturing services.................................         8.0          7.5         11.2
                                                                       -----        -----        -----
                                                                       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%
                                                                       -----        -----        -----
                                                                       -----        -----        -----
</TABLE>
 
    Fairchild is renowned as one of the pioneering companies of the
semiconductor industry. Fairchild invented the planar process of manufacturing
semiconductors, regarded as one of the most significant achievements in the
semiconductor industry since the invention of the transistor. These early
innovations form the base of a rich company history. Acquired in 1979 by
Schlumberger, Fairchild continued to innovate, introducing logic products such
as FAST-Registered Trademark- (Fairchild Advanced Schottky Technology) and
FACT-TM- (Fairchild Advanced CMOS Technology), which remain industry standard
products today. In 1987, Fairchild was acquired by National Semiconductor and
integrated into its operations.
 
   
    Today, Fairchild produces standard logic products, historically a core
business of Fairchild, and discrete and non-volatile memory products,
historically multi-market businesses within National Semiconductor. In the
aggregate, revenue from these product groups represented 92.0%, 92.5% and 88.8%
of total revenue in Fiscal Years 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The
remainder of the Company's revenue, representing 8.0%, 7.5% and 11.2% of total
revenue in Fiscal Years 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, was derived from
contract manufacturing services for National Semiconductor. Historically, these
services were provided at cost. Today, as a result of the Transactions, National
Semiconductor and Fairchild each provide the other with certain manufacturing
and assembly and test services. National Semiconductor is required to purchase
not less than $330.0 million of services from the Company during the first 39
months after the consummation of the Transactions at prices designed to generate
a 20% gross profit for the Company, subject to certain conditions and
adjustments. National Semiconductor's purchase commitment is dependent upon the
Company's ability to supply sufficient capacity under the Manufacturing
Agreements. If the Company is unable to supply this capacity, National
Semiconductor may be relieved of its corresponding purchase commitment and the
Company would not be subject to any penalties. See "Risk Factors--Use of
Assumptions to Estimate Future Operating Results" and "The
Transactions--Manufacturing Agreements." The continuing relationship between
National Semiconductor and the Company during this period will provide an
assured base of capacity utilization for Fairchild's facilities. See "Risk
Factors--Dependence on National Semiconductor."
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
    As a stand-alone company, management intends to leverage Fairchild's
strength in high-volume, low-cost manufacturing, and its strong position in the
markets it serves, to be the premier global supplier of logic, discrete and
memory multi-market products. As one of the few dedicated suppliers of logic,
discrete and memory products in the industry, management will focus the
Company's efforts on being the supplier of choice for its customers. While
maintaining and leveraging its strength in bipolar logic, EPROMs and small
signal discretes, the Company intends to focus its product development efforts
to build upon its strong position in the growing CMOS logic, EEPROM and DMOS
Power MOSFET markets. See "Business--Business Strategy."
    
 
   
    Fairchild has historically been operating as a division of National
Semiconductor and consequently many of its operating costs and expenses have
been allocated to the Company by National Semiconductor. Management believes
that the historical operating results of Fairchild, as a division of National
Semiconductor, may not be indicative of future operating results of the Company
as a stand-alone entity.
    
 
   
    Management estimates that certain cost savings and operational efficiencies
could have been achieved by the Company as a stand-alone entity. Historical
EBITDA (as defined in note 1 to "Summary Historical Data") was $135.0 million
and $66.7 million for Fiscal Year 1996 and the nine months ended February 23,
1997, respectively. Management believes that the pro forma effect of entering
into the Manufacturing Agreements and the Transition Services Agreement,
together with the elimination of retention bonuses paid by National
Semiconductor, would have resulted in adjustments to EBITDA of $17.1 million and
$21.4 million for the respective periods (see notes to "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Condensed Statements of Operations"). After giving effect to the
aforementioned pro forma adjustments, and to certain additional cost savings,
cost eliminations and increased gross margins which total $54.1 million and
$15.2 million for the respective periods, management estimates that EBITDA would
have been $206.2 million and $103.3 million for the respective periods, however,
such estimates described herein are inherently uncertain and are based on
numerous assumptions, and there can be no assurance that such improvements in
operating results would have in fact been realized.
    
 
   
    Management believes that such additional adjustments to EBITDA would have
been achieved as a result of (i) increased gross profit ($15.9 million and $11.5
million for the respective periods); (ii) changes in research and development
expenses (decreasing by $7.9 million and increasing by $2.7 million for the
respective periods); (iii) decreases in selling, general and administrative
expenses ($30.3 million and $1.1 million for the respective periods); and (iv)
elimination of a one-time restructuring charge ($5.3 million for the nine months
ended February 23, 1997).
    
 
   
    Management estimates that increased gross profit would have been achieved as
a result of eliminating certain indirect information services expenses
previously allocated from National Semiconductor that management does not intend
to replicate, eliminating allocated start-up costs of a National Semiconductor
wafer fabrication facility which will not be used by the Company following the
Transactions, eliminating certain non-recurring expenses related to the transfer
of production of certain Fairchild products from National Semiconductor
facilities and eliminating certain indirect planning and quality assurance
expenses. In addition, under the terms of the Manufacturing Agreements, National
Semiconductor's committed volume requirements are higher than its historical
usage. Had such higher committed volume requirements been fulfilled by
Fairchild, the Company would have had lower production costs. Management
believes the research and development cost savings would have resulted primarily
from the difference between (i) research and development costs historically
allocated to Fairchild by National Semiconductor and (ii) the Company's estimate
of such costs necessary to replace such services on a stand-alone basis.
Similarly, National Semiconductor historically allocated selling, general and
administrative expenses based on sales and net assets, both of which resulted in
allocations to the Company that management estimates were greater than the
expenses necessary on a stand-alone basis. Additionally, management expects to
attain cost reductions from increased reliance on manufacturer's representatives
as opposed to a direct sales force, and from the elimination of certain
corporate oversight and administrative costs previously allocated by National
Semiconductor that management intends not to replicate. The non-recurring
    
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
   
restructuring charge was associated with severance costs pertaining to a
workforce reduction in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 1997.
    
 
   
    If the Company had been able to achieve the adjustments described above,
then management estimates that (i) the ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense
(as summarized in note 1(e) to the "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed
Statements of Operations") would have been 5.1x and 3.5x for Fiscal Year 1996
and the nine months ended February 23, 1997, and (ii) the ratio of debt to
EBITDA (defined as the $420.0 million in pro forma debt outstanding as of
February 23, 1997 divided by EBITDA as adjusted above) would have been 2.0x for
Fiscal Year 1996.
    
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS
 
    The following table sets forth the unaudited historical quarterly trade
sales and trade gross profits of Fairchild's product groups:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         FISCAL
                                             FISCAL YEAR 1995                            FISCAL YEAR 1996               YEAR 1997
                                ------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  ---------
                                   Q1         Q2         Q3         Q4         Q1         Q2         Q3         Q4         Q1
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
TRADE SALES:
Logic.........................  $    74.0  $    82.6  $    78.7  $    92.4  $    92.3  $    91.8  $    77.8  $    76.7  $    66.7
Discrete......................       25.0       27.2       28.4       35.8       44.8       48.1       42.3       39.8       35.8
Memory........................       45.1       43.7       45.5       51.2       48.0       50.8       37.0       38.4       30.2
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total.........................  $   144.1  $   153.5  $   152.6  $   179.4  $   185.1  $   190.7  $   157.1  $   154.9  $   132.7
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
GROSS PROFIT:
Logic.........................  $    25.3  $    26.4  $    25.7  $    34.2  $    34.3  $    34.3  $    20.5  $    16.4  $    12.0
Discrete......................        8.7        9.2       10.3       14.6       20.0       20.5       17.1       14.1       10.5
Memory........................       13.9       13.6       10.1       11.8       10.4       12.7        6.6        8.2        7.1
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total.........................  $    47.9  $    49.2  $    46.1  $    60.6  $    64.7  $    67.5  $    44.2  $    38.7  $    29.6
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
GROSS PROFIT PERCENTAGE:
Logic.........................       34.2%      32.0%      32.7%      37.0%      37.2%      37.4%      26.4%      21.4%      18.0%
Discrete......................       34.8       33.8       36.3       40.8       44.6       42.6       40.4       35.4       29.3
Memory........................       30.8       31.1       22.2       23.0       21.7       25.0       17.8       21.4       23.5
 
Total.........................       33.2%      32.1%      30.2%      33.8%      35.0%      35.4%      28.1%      25.0%      22.3%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                   Q2         Q3
                                ---------  ---------
<S>                             <C>        <C>
 
TRADE SALES:
Logic.........................  $    74.6  $    69.1
Discrete......................       39.7       42.6
Memory........................       39.6       35.6
                                ---------  ---------
Total.........................  $   153.9  $   147.3
                                ---------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------
GROSS PROFIT:
Logic.........................  $    18.6  $    15.5
Discrete......................       11.1       13.3
Memory........................        6.6        6.8
                                ---------  ---------
Total.........................  $    36.3  $    35.6
                                ---------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------
GROSS PROFIT PERCENTAGE:
Logic.........................       24.9%      22.4%
Discrete......................       28.0       31.2
Memory........................       16.7       19.1
Total.........................       23.6%      24.2%
</TABLE>
 
    The above table illustrates the cyclical and seasonal nature of Fairchild's
financial performance, although management believes Fairchild is less
susceptible to cyclicality than the semiconductor industry as a whole. The
industry is characterized by periods of strong demand and fully-utilized
manufacturing capacity, as well as occasional periods of sluggish demand and
excess capacity. The Company's third fiscal quarter (December through February)
is generally the industry's weakest period as sales decline due to holidays
throughout the world and the practice of many manufacturers to work off
inventories. Conversely, the Company's fourth fiscal quarter (March through May)
is generally the strongest period as manufacturers return to normal buying
patterns.
 
    Demand strengthened through Fiscal Year 1995 and into the first half of
Fiscal Year 1996, driven by a robust personal computer market and the
introduction of Windows 95-TM-. During this time, the Book-to-Bill, a key
indicator of the health of the semiconductor industry, was approximately 1.13,
which is a historically average level. In the second half of Fiscal Year 1996
and into the first quarter of Fiscal Year 1997, trade sales and gross profits
fell across all product groups, driven by excess inventories held by personal
computer manufacturers. The semiconductor market as a whole weakened during this
period, as the Book-to-Bill dropped to approximately 0.96 during the period
between December 1995 and August 1996. Fairchild's operating results, and the
industry as a whole, rebounded in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 1997. In the
third quarter of Fiscal Year 1997, Fairchild experienced the normal seasonal
decline in its revenues, though gross profit as a percentage of trade sales
continues to improve.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    Trade sales data of the Company set forth in this Prospectus excludes
revenue from contract manufacturing services. The following table sets forth
certain financial statement data expressed as a percentage of trade sales:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    FISCAL YEAR ENDED                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          -------------------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
                                                            MAY 29,      MAY 28,      MAY 26,    FEBRUARY 25,   FEBRUARY 23,
                                                             1994         1995         1996          1996           1997
                                                          -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
Trade sales.............................................       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%        100.0%         100.0%
Cost of trade sales.....................................        62.3         67.6         68.7          66.9           76.6
Gross profit............................................        37.7         32.4         31.3          33.1           23.4
Research and development................................         4.2          5.0          4.4           4.3            3.1
Selling, general and administrative.....................        14.8         15.9         16.6          16.4           16.8
Restructuring...........................................          --           --           --            --            1.2
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses before other
  (income) expense and taxes............................        18.7         11.5         10.3          12.4            2.3
Other (income) expense..................................        (0.3)        (0.3)        (0.2)         (0.3)           0.1
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses before
  taxes.................................................        19.0         11.8         10.5          12.7            2.2
</TABLE>
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 23, 1997 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 25,
  1996
 
    TRADE SALES.  The Company's trade sales for the nine months ended February
23, 1997 were $433.9 million, as compared to $532.9 million for the nine months
ended February 25, 1996, a decrease of 18.6%. The decrease was due to depressed
prices resulting from the worldwide semiconductor market slowdown which started
in the second half of Fiscal Year 1996 and affected all of the Company's product
groups. Logic, discrete and memory trade sales for the nine months ended
February 23, 1997, were down 20%, 13% and 22%, respectively, from the nine
months ended February 25, 1996. The decline in logic trade sales was primarily
price driven, as unit volumes increased slightly. Discrete trade sales decreased
due mainly to lower volume, offset by higher prices as a result of a greater mix
of DMOS Power MOSFET sales. Memory trade sales were depressed due to lower
prices and lower unit volume, due in part to Fairchild's attempt to regain EPROM
market share which it had lost as a result of National Semiconductor's
announcement in the Spring of 1995 that it intended to exit the EPROM market in
a strategic decision to emphasize customized products. Upon announcement of its
intention to re-establish Fairchild as a stand-alone entity, National
Semiconductor announced its intention that Fairchild would remain in the EPROM
market. Overall, bookings rates began to pick up in the second quarter of Fiscal
Year 1997, and management expects a modest recovery for the remainder of Fiscal
Year 1997, although still below the results experienced in the first half of
Fiscal Year 1996. Geographically, 39%, 19% and 42% of trade sales were derived
from North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific, respectively, in the nine months
ended February 23, 1997, as compared to 37%, 24% and 39% in the nine months
ended February 25, 1996.
 
    Total revenue for the nine months ended February 23, 1997 was $509.7
million, as compared to $596.6 million for the nine months ended February 25,
1996, including $75.8 million and $63.7 million, respectively, of contract
manufacturing revenue, which was provided at cost to National Semiconductor. The
increase was due to greater overall capacity in the 6-inch fab in South
Portland, Maine, which was used in part by the Company to produce additional
products for National Semiconductor.
 
    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit for the nine months ended February 23, 1997 was
$101.5 million, as compared to $176.4 million for the nine months ended February
25, 1996, a decrease of 42.5%. As a percentage of trade sales, gross profit was
23.4% and 33.1% for the nine months ended February 23, 1997 and February 25,
1996, respectively. The decline in gross profit was due to lower unit demand and
lower prices, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region and for EPROM products, as
the Company sought to regain
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
market share. In addition, the Company suffered from excess manufacturing
capacity brought on by reduced demand and an inventory reduction initiative
which reduced inventories by approximately $26 million from the end of Fiscal
Year 1996. In response to declining gross profit, management enacted cost
reduction programs, which included headcount reductions, in the first quarter of
Fiscal Year 1997.
 
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  Research and development expenses were $13.6
million (of which $5.1 million was allocated to Fairchild from National
Semiconductor) for the nine months ended February 23, 1997, as compared to $22.7
million (of which $14.1 million was allocated to Fairchild from National
Semiconductor) for the nine months ended February 25, 1996. As a percentage of
trade sales, research and development expenses were 3.1% and 4.3% for the nine
months ended February 23, 1997 and February 25, 1996, respectively. The decrease
in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to reduced
allocations from National Semiconductor reflecting the reduced consumption of
corporate services in Fiscal Year 1997.
 
    SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $72.6 million (of which $56.8 million was allocated
to Fairchild from National Semiconductor) for the nine months ended February 23,
1997, as compared to $87.6 million (of which $69.9 million was allocated to
Fairchild from National Semiconductor) for the nine months ended February 25,
1996. As a percentage of trade sales, selling, general and administrative
expenses were 16.8% and 16.4% for the nine months ended February 23, 1997 and
February 25, 1996, respectively. The decrease in selling, general and
administrative expenses was due to reduced allocations from National
Semiconductor reflecting the reduced consumption of corporate services in Fiscal
Year 1997 ($27.2 million), offset by an increase of $14.1 million primarily
attributable to retention and incentive bonuses related to the Transactions, and
lower direct costs ($1.9 million) resulting from cost reduction initiatives at
Fairchild, including headcount reductions.
 
   
    RESTRUCTURING.  The nine months ended February 23, 1997 included a
restructuring charge of $5.3 million (1.2% of trade sales) for severance and
other costs directly attributable to a workforce reduction undertaken in the
first quarter of Fiscal Year 1997.
    
 
    OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE.  Other (income) expense was $0.4 million for the
nine months ended February 23, 1997, as compared to $(1.5) million for the nine
months ended February 25, 1996. The increase was primarily attributable to $1.4
million net interest expense related to the financing activities of National
Semiconductor allocated to Fairchild for the nine months ended February 23,
1997, compared to net interest income of $0.1 million for the nine months ended
February 25, 1996.
 
YEAR ENDED MAY 26, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED MAY 28, 1995
 
    TRADE SALES.  The Company's trade sales in Fiscal Year 1996 were $687.8
million, as compared to $629.6 million in Fiscal Year 1995, an increase of 9.2%.
The increase in trade sales was primarily attributable to discrete products,
which experienced a 50% increase in revenues over the prior year, due to higher
volume and growth in sales of DMOS Power MOSFET products. Discrete trade sales
were approximately 25% of total trade sales in Fiscal Year 1996, as compared to
18% in Fiscal Year 1995. Logic products experienced a 3.3% growth in trade sales
in Fiscal Year 1996, as market leadership in the growing CMOS market drove a
20.4% increase in CMOS trade sales, which was partially offset by a 9.0%
decrease in Bipolar trade sales that was consistent with the overall Bipolar
market. Logic trade sales were approximately 49.2% of total trade sales in
Fiscal Year 1996, as compared to 52.0% in Fiscal Year 1995. Growth in discrete
and logic trade sales was offset by a 6.1% decline in memory trade sales in
Fiscal Year 1996. The decline in memory trade sales was due to a 21.4% decline
in EPROM trade sales as a result of National Semiconductor's announcement that
it intended to exit the EPROM business in a strategic decision to emphasize
customized products. The decline in EPROM trade sales was partially offset by a
30.5% increase in EEPROM trade sales, in line with the growth of the serial
EEPROM market. Memory trade sales were approximately 25.3% of total trade sales
in Fiscal Year 1996, as compared to 29.5% in Fiscal Year 1995. Fiscal Year 1996
trade sales were hampered by the start of the worldwide semiconductor
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
market slowdown in the second half of Fiscal Year 1996. As a result, 55% of
trade sales occurred in the first half and 45% in the second half. Conversely,
47% of trade sales in Fiscal Year 1995 occurred in the first half and 53% in the
second half. Geographically, 38%, 23% and 39% of trade sales were derived from
North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific, respectively, in Fiscal Year 1996, as
compared to 38%, 24% and 38% in Fiscal Year 1995.
 
    Total revenue in Fiscal Year 1996 was $775.4 million, as compared to $680.3
million in Fiscal Year 1995. Total revenue included $87.6 million and $50.7
million of contract manufacturing revenues in Fiscal Year 1996 and Fiscal Year
1995, respectively, which were provided at cost to National Semiconductor. The
increase in contract manufacturing revenue was due to the production ramp up of
the 6-inch wafer fab in South Portland, Maine.
 
    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit in Fiscal Year 1996 was $215.1 million, as
compared to $203.8 million in Fiscal Year 1995. As a percentage of trade sales,
gross profit was 31.3% and 32.4% in Fiscal Year 1996 and Fiscal Year 1995,
respectively. The increase in gross profit was the result of increased trade
sales of higher margin discrete products, particularly DMOS Power MOSFETs, and
cost efficiencies in the 6-inch fab in South Portland, Maine as it continued its
production ramp up in Fiscal Year 1996. Gross profit was negatively affected by
yield and cost inefficiencies resulting from the ramp-up of an advanced 1 micron
EEPROM process in Salt Lake City and lower factory utilization in the second
half of Fiscal Year 1996 as a result of the start of the worldwide semiconductor
market slowdown.
 
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  Research and development expenses were $30.3
million (of which $18.9 million was allocated to Fairchild from National
Semiconductor) in Fiscal Year 1996, as compared to $31.0 million in Fiscal Year
1995. As a percentage of trade sales research and development expenses were 4.4%
and 5.0% in Fiscal Year 1996 and Fiscal Year 1995, respectively. The decrease in
research and development expenses was attributable to lower spending in logic
and EPROM development projects in Fiscal Year 1996 as a result of National
Semiconductor's decision to de-emphasize research and development in these
businesses, offset by higher allocations from National Semiconductor.
 
    SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $114.0 million (of which $91.7 million was
allocated to Fairchild from National Semiconductor) in Fiscal Year 1996, as
compared to $100.3 million (of which $76.8 million was allocated to Fairchild
from National Semiconductor) in Fiscal Year 1995. As a percentage of trade
sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 16.6% and 15.9% in
Fiscal Year 1996 and Fiscal Year 1995, respectively. The increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses was attributable to increases in allocated
and direct sales support proportional to increased trade sales ($8.8 million)
and higher general and administrative expenses due primarily to increases in
allocations from National Semiconductor.
 
    OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE.  Other (income) expense was $(1.5) million in Fiscal
Year 1996, as compared to $(1.8) million in Fiscal Year 1995. The increase was
attributable to a loss on disposal of certain fixed assets, offset by favorable
results from foreign currency exchange rates.
 
YEAR ENDED MAY 28, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED MAY 29, 1994
 
    TRADE SALES.  The Company's trade sales in Fiscal Year 1995 were $629.6
million, as compared to $658.9 million in Fiscal Year 1994, a decrease of 4.4%.
The decrease in trade sales was primarily attributable to logic products, which
experienced a 16.8% decrease in trade sales over an exceptional Fiscal Year 1994
which was impacted by two significant one-time events:
 
    - An explosion and fire occurred at the Sumitomo Chemical plant in Japan in
      early Fiscal Year 1994. Sumitomo is a major supplier of resin for mold
      compound, a key raw material used in the manufacture of semiconductor
      packages. Fears of a shortage of mold compound, combined with forecasts of
      growth in the personal computer market, drove logic prices to unusually
      high levels in Fiscal Year 1994.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    - The Company gained logic market share due to temporary manufacturing
      capacity constraints suffered by a major competitor.
 
Logic revenues were approximately 52.0% of trade sales in Fiscal Year 1995, as
compared to 59.8% in Fiscal Year 1994. The decline in logic trade sales was
offset by growth in discrete trade sales. Discrete trade sales grew
approximately 45.5% in Fiscal Year 1995 over Fiscal Year 1994, as DMOS Power
MOSFET trade sales nearly tripled over the prior year. Discrete trade sales were
approximately 18.5% of total trade sales in Fiscal Year 1995, as compared to
12.1% in Fiscal Year 1994. Memory trade sales, representing 29.5% and 28.1% of
total trade sales in Fiscal Year 1995 and Fiscal Year 1994, respectively, were
flat year on year. Geographically, 38%, 24% and 38% of trade sales were derived
from North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific, respectively, in Fiscal Year 1995,
as compared to 42%, 22% and 36% in Fiscal Year 1994.
 
    Total revenue in Fiscal Year 1995 were $680.3 million, as compared to $716.6
million in Fiscal Year 1994. Total revenue include $50.7 million and $57.7
million of contract manufacturing revenue in Fiscal Year 1995 and Fiscal Year
1994, respectively, which were provided at cost to National Semiconductor. The
decrease in contract manufacturing revenues was due to the shutdown of the
under-utilized MOS1 fab in Salt Lake City, offset by new revenue from the
production ramp up of the 6-inch fab in South Portland, Maine in the second half
of Fiscal Year 1995.
 
    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit in Fiscal Year 1995 was $203.8 million, as
compared to $248.3 million in Fiscal Year 1994. As a percentage of trade sales,
gross profit was 32.4% and 37.7% in Fiscal Year 1995 and Fiscal Year 1994,
respectively. The decline in gross profit was primarily the result of lower
logic selling prices in Fiscal Year 1995 as compared to Fiscal Year 1994's
unusually high level.
 
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  Research and development expenses were $31.0
million in Fiscal Year 1995, as compared to $27.4 million in Fiscal Year 1994.
As a percentage of trade sales research and development expenses were 5.0% and
4.2% in Fiscal Year 1995 and Fiscal Year 1994, respectively. The increase in
research and development expenses was primarily attributable to an exploratory
project for FLASH memory, and an increase in discrete research and devlopment
expenses supporting SOT-23 and DMOS Power MOSFET product development.
 
    SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $100.3 million (of which $76.8 was allocated to
Fairchild from National Semiconductor) in Fiscal Year 1995, as compared to $97.3
million (of which $74.2 million was allocated to Fairchild from National
Semiconductor) in Fiscal Year 1994. As a percentage of trade sales, selling,
general and administrative expenses were 15.9% and 14.8% in Fiscal Year 1995 and
Fiscal Year 1994, respectively. The increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increased selling, general
and administrative expense allocations from National Semiconductor.
 
    OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE.  Other (income) expense was $(1.8) million in Fiscal
Year 1995, as compared to $(1.9) million in Fiscal Year 1994. The increase was
attributable to less favorable results from foreign currency exchange rates,
partially offset by the decrease reflecting the loss on disposal of certain
fixed assets in Fiscal Year 1994 which did not recur in Fiscal Year 1995.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    The Company's principal capital requirements are to fund working capital
needs, to meet required debt payments and to complete planned maintenance and
expansion. Management anticipates that the Company's operating cash flow,
together with available borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, will be
sufficient to meet its working capital, capital expenditure and interest service
requirements on its debt obligations for the foreseeable future. As of February
23, 1997, the Company's total debt and stockholder's equity would have been
$420.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively, on a pro forma basis after
giving effect to the Transactions. The Company would also have borrowing ability
of an additional $75.0 million for working capital and capital expenditure
requirements under the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
    During the past three years the Company has spent approximately $355.0
million primarily to build a new fab and to upgrade its existing facilities.
Capital expenditures for Fiscal Year 1997 are expected to be approximately $43.0
million, $36.7 million of which were made as of February 23, 1997. The Company
anticipates that its operating cash flow, together with available borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to meet its working
capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements and interest service
requirements on its debt obligations for the foreseeable future.
 
    Concurrent with the Transactions the Company entered into the Senior Credit
Facilities under which a $75.0 million Revolving Credit Facility is available to
the Company. The Company did not draw upon these facilities in connection with
the consummation of the Transactions. See "Description of Certain
Indebtedness--Senior Credit Facilities." The Senior Credit Facilities and the
Notes do, and other debt instruments of the Company may, impose various
restrictions and covenants on the Company which could potentially limit the
Company's ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated
capital investments or to take advantage of business opportunities.
 
   
    The Indenture contains certain covenants which restrict the ability of the
Company's subsidiaries designated Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined) to
transfer cash or other assets. On the date hereof the Company has no Restricted
Subsidiaries and consequently there are no restrictions on the ability of the
Company's subsidiaries to transfer cash or other assets to the Company.
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
   
    The Existing Notes were sold by the Company to the Initial Purchasers on
March 11, 1997 (the "Issue Date"). The Initial Purchasers subsequently sold the
Existing Notes to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under
the Securities Act and to a limited number of institutional "accredited
investors" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1),(2),(3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
Because the Existing Notes are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as an
inducement to the Initial Purchasers the Company, Fairchild Holdings and the
Initial Purchasers entered into a registration rights agreement dated March 6,
1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company agreed
(i) within 60 days after the Issue Date, to prepare and file with the Commission
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part and (ii) within
150 days after the Issue Date, to use its best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement to become effective under the Securities Act. The Registration
Statement is intended to satisfy in part the Company's obligations with respect
to the Existing Notes under the Registration Rights Agreement.
    
 
   
    Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Commission
to third parties in unrelated transactions, management believes that the
Exchange Notes will be freely transferable by holders other than affiliates of
the Company after the Exchange Offer without further registration under the
Securities Act if the holder of the Exchange Notes represents that it is
acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business, that it has
no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the Exchange Notes and that it is not an affiliate of the
Company, as such terms are interpreted by the Commission, PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that broker-dealers ("Participating Broker-Dealers") receiving Exchange Notes in
the Exchange Offer will have a prospectus delivery requirement with respect to
resales of such Exchange Notes. In interpretive letters issued to third parties
in unrelated transactions, the Commission has taken the position that
Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements
with respect to exchange notes (other than a resale of an unsold allotment from
the original sale of existing notes) with the prospectus contained in the
registration statement pursuant to which such exchange notes were registered.
Based on those interpretive letters, the Company is of the view that
Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements
with respect to the Exchange Notes with this Prospectus, though the Commission
has expressed no opinion in this regard. Under the Registration Rights
Agreement, the Company is required to allow Participating Broker-Dealers and
other persons, if any, with similar prospectus delivery requirements to use this
Prospectus in connection with the resale of such Exchange Notes. Each
broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for
Existing Notes, where such Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that
it will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
    
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER; PERIOD FOR TENDERING EXISTING NOTES
 
    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
Exchange Offer), the Company will accept for exchange Existing Notes which are
properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not withdrawn as
permitted below. As used herein, the term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on       , 1997; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company has
extended the period of time for which the Exchange Offer is open, the term
"Expiration Date" means the latest time and date to which the Exchange Offer is
extended.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus, $300.0 million aggregate principal amount
of the Existing Notes are outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter
of Transmittal, is first being sent on or about       , 1997 to all holders of
Existing Notes known to the Company. The Company's obligation to accept
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
Existing Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to certain
conditions as set forth under "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer"
below.
 
    The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time or from time to time,
to extend the period of time during which the Exchange Offer is open, and
thereby delay acceptance for any exchange of any Existing Notes, by giving
notice of such extension to the holders thereof. During any such extension, all
Existing Notes previously tendered will remain subject to the Exchange Offer and
may be accepted for exchange by the Company. Any Existing Notes not accepted for
exchange for any reason will be returned without expense to the tendering holder
thereof as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the
Exchange Offer.
 
    The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange
Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Existing Notes not theretofore
accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the
Exchange Offer specified below under "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer." The Company will give notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance
or termination to the holders of the Existing Notes as promptly as practicable,
such notice in the case of any extension to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled
Expiration Date.
 
    Holders of Existing Notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights
under the Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with the Exchange
Offer.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING EXISTING NOTES
 
    The tender to the Company of Existing Notes by a holder thereof as set forth
below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering holder and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying
Letter of Transmittal. Except as set forth below, a holder who wishes to tender
Existing Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer must transmit a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, including all other
documents required by such Letter of Transmittal, to United States Trust Company
of New York at one of the addresses set forth below under "Exchange Agent" on or
prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, either (i) certificates for such
Existing Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent along with the Letter of
Transmittal, or (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer (a
"Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Existing Notes, if such procedure is
available, into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company
(the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" or the "Depositary") pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer described below, must be received by the
Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or the holder must comply with the
guaranteed delivery procedure described below. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF
EXISTING NOTES, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE
ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED.
IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. NO
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR EXISTING NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.
 
    Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed unless the Existing Notes surrendered for exchange
pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Existing Notes
who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instruction" or
"Special Delivery Instruction" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the
account of an Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the event that
signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may
be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by a firm which is a
member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States (collectively, "Eligible
Institutions"). If Existing Notes are registered in the name of a person other
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
than a signer of the Letter of Transmittal, the Existing Notes surrendered for
exchange must be endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or
instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by the
Company in its sole discretion, duly executed by, the registered holder with the
signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
    All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of Existing Notes tendered for exchange will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
tenders of any particular Existing Notes not properly tendered or to not accept
any particular Existing Notes which acceptance might, in the judgment of the
Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute
right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the Exchange Offer
as to any particular Existing Notes either before or after the Expiration Date
(including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who seeks to
tender Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer). The interpretation of the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any particular Existing Notes either
before or after the Expiration Date (including the Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions thereto) by the Company shall be final and binding on all parties.
Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of
Existing Notes for exchange must be cured within such reasonable period of time
as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any
other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any defect or
irregularity with respect to any tender of Existing Notes for exchange, nor
shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
 
    If the Letter of Transmittal or any Existing Notes or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by
the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to
so act must be submitted.
 
    By tendering, each holder of Existing Notes will represent to the Company in
writing that, among other things, the Exchange Notes acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the
holder and any beneficial holder, that neither the holder nor any such
beneficial holder has an arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes and that neither the
holder nor any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of
the Securities Act, of the Company. If the holder is not a broker-dealer, the
holder must represent that it is not engaged in nor does it intend to engage in
a distribution of the Exchange Notes. If the holder is a broker-dealer, the
holder must represent that it will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in
exchange for Existing Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. Each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Existing Notes, where such
Existing Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (an "Exchanging Dealer"), must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
ACCEPTANCE OF EXISTING NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE NOTES
 
    For each Existing Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Existing
Note will receive an Exchange Note having a principal amount equal to that of
the surrendered Existing Note. For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company
shall be deemed to have accepted properly tendered Existing Notes for exchange
when, as and if the Company has given oral and written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent.
 
    In all cases, issuance of Exchange Notes for Existing Notes that are
accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Existing Notes or
a timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Existing Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents. If any
tendered Existing Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if Existing Notes are submitted for a
greater principal
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
amount than the holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged
Existing Notes will be returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof
(or, in the case of Existing Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the
book-entry transfer procedures described below, such non-exchanged Existing
Notes will be credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility) as promptly as practicable after the expiration of the Exchange Offer.
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
    Any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of Existing Notes by causing the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Existing Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of Existing Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof
with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents must, in
any case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at one of the
addresses set forth below under "Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration
Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied
with.
 
    The Company understands that the Exchange Agent has confirmed with the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility that any financial institution that is a
participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's system may utilize the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") to tender
Existing Notes. The Company further understands that the Exchange Agent will
request, within two business days after the date the Exchange Offer commences,
that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility establish an account with respect to the
Existing Notes for the purpose of facilitating the Exchange Offer, and any
participant may make book-entry delivery of Existing Notes by causing the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Existing Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's ATOP
procedures for transfer. However, the exchange of the Existing Notes so tendered
will only be made after timely confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of
such book-entry transfer and timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of an Agent's
Message (as defined in the next sentence), an appropriate Letter of Transmittal
with any required signature guarantee, and any other documents required. The
term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility and received by the Exchange Agent and forming part of Book-Entry
Confirmation, which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an
express acknowledgment from a participant tendering Existing Notes which are the
subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation and that such participant has received
and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that the
Company may enforce such agreement against such participant.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
    If a registered holder of the Existing Notes desires to tender such Existing
Notes and the Existing Notes are not immediately available, or time will not
permit such holder's Existing Notes or other required documents to reach the
Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender may be effected if (i)
the tender is made through an Eligible Institution, (ii) prior to the Expiration
Date, the Exchange Agent received from such Eligible Institution a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Company
(by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting
forth the name and address of the holder of Existing Notes and the amount of
Existing Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that within five New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days
after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the
certificates for all physically tendered Existing Notes, in proper form for
transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other
documents required by
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the
Exchange Agent and (iii) the certificates for all physically tendered Existing
Notes, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case
may be, and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are
received by the Exchange Agent within five NYSE trading days after the date of
execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
    Tenders of Existing Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date. For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of
withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set
forth below under "Exchange Agent." Any such notice of withdrawal must specify
the name of the person having tendered the Existing Notes to be withdrawn,
identify the Existing Notes to be withdrawn (including the principal amount of
such Existing Notes), and (where certificates for Existing Notes have been
transmitted) specify the name in which such Existing Notes are registered, if
different from that of the withdrawing holder. If certificates for Existing
Notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then,
prior to the release of such certificates, the withdrawing holder must also
submit the serial numbers of the particular certificates to be withdrawn and a
signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution unless such holder is an Eligible Institution. If Existing Notes
have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described
above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account
at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Existing
Notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility. All questions
as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such
notices will be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final
and binding on all parties. Any Existing Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not
to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer.
Any Existing Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are not
exchanged for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to
such holder (or in the case of Existing Notes tendered by book-entry transfer
into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant
to the book-entry transfer procedures described above, such Existing Notes will
be credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility for
the Existing Notes) as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender
or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Existing Notes may be
retendered by following one of the procedures described under "--Procedures for
Tendering Existing Notes" above at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue Exchange Notes in exchange
for, any Existing Notes and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer if at any
time before the acceptance of such Existing Notes for exchange or the exchange
of Exchange Notes for such Existing Notes, the Company determines that (i) the
Exchange Offer does not comply with any applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the Commission, (ii) the Company has not received
all applicable governmental approvals or (iii) any actions or proceedings of any
governmental agency or court exist which could materially impair the Company's
ability to consummate the Exchange Offer.
 
    The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at any time and
from time to time in its reasonable discretion. The failure by the Company at
any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of
such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be
asserted at any time and from time to time.
 
    In addition, the Company will not accept for exchange any Existing Notes
tendered, and no Exchange Notes will be issued in exchange for any such Existing
Notes, if at such time any stop order shall be
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
threatened or in effect with respect to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). In any such
event the Company is required to use every reasonable effort to obtain the
withdrawal of any stop order at the earliest possible time.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
    United States Trust Company of New York has been appointed as the Exchange
Agent for the Exchange Offer. All executed Letters of Transmittal should be
directed to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth below.
Questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this
Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and requests for Notices of
Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED
          BY HAND:                         MAIL:                  BY OVERNIGHT COURIER:
<S>                            <C>                            <C>
 United States Trust Company    United States Trust Company    United States Trust Company
         of New York                    of New York                    of New York
        111 Broadway                   P.O. Box 844                   770 Broadway
         Lower Level                  Cooper Station            New York, New York 10003
   Corporate Trust Window           New York, New York            Attn: Corporate Trust
  New York, New York 10006              10276-0844
 
                                       BY FACSIMILE:
                          United States Trust Company of New York
                                      (212) 420-6152
                                   Attn: Corporate Trust
 
                                   CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
                                      (800) 548-6565
</TABLE>
 
    Delivery other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
    The Company will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The principal solicitation is
being made by mail; however, additional solicitations may be made in person or
by telephone by officers and employees of the Company.
 
    The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will be
paid by the Company. Such expenses include fees and expenses of the Exchange
Agent and Trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
    The Exchange Notes will be recorded at the same carrying amount as the
Existing Notes, which is the principal amount as reflected in the Company's
accounting records on the date of the exchange and, accordingly, no gain or loss
will be recognized. The debt issuance costs will be capitalized and amortized to
interest expense over the term of the Exchange Notes.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
    Holders who tender their Existing Notes for exchange will not be obligated
to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders who
instruct the Company to register Exchange Notes in the name of, or request that
Existing Notes not tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be returned
to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for
the payment of any applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE; RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES
 
    Holders of Existing Notes who do not exchange their Existing Notes for
Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to be subject to the
restrictions on transfer of such Existing Notes as set forth in the legend
thereon as a consequence of the issuance of the Existing Notes pursuant to the
exemptions from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration
requirements of, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
Existing Notes not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to
accrue interest at 10 1/8% per annum and will otherwise remain outstanding in
accordance with their terms. Holders of Existing Notes do not have any appraisal
or dissenters' rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law in connection
with the Exchange Offer. In general, the Existing Notes may not be offered or
sold unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption
from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws. The Company does not currently anticipate that it will
register the Existing Notes under the Securities Act. However, (i) if any
Initial Purchaser so requests with respect to Existing Notes not eligible to be
exchanged for Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer and held by it following
consummation of the Exchange Offer or (ii) if any holder of Existing Notes
(other than an Exchanging Dealer) is not eligible to participate in the Exchange
Offer or, in the case of any holder of Existing Notes (other than an Exchanging
Dealer) that participates in the Exchange Offer, does not receive Exchange Notes
in exchange for Existing Notes that may be sold without restriction under state
and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such holder
as an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act), the
Company is obligated to file a shelf registration statement on the appropriate
form under the Securities Act relating to the Existing Notes held by such
persons.
 
    Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Commission
to third parties in unrelated transactions, the Company is of the view that
Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale,
resold or otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such
holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act or (ii) any broker-dealer that purchases Notes from the
Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption)
without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of
the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement
or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such
Exchange Notes. If any holder has any arrangement or understanding with respect
to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, such holder (i) could not rely on the applicable interpretations
of the staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction. A broker-dealer who holds Existing Notes that were
acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading
activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of Exchange
Notes. Each such broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
in exchange for Existing Notes, where such Existing Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge in the Letter of Transmittal that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. See "Plan of
Distribution." The Company has not requested the staff of the Commission to
consider the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there can
be no assurance that the staff would take positions similar to those taken in
the interpretive letters referred to above if the Company were to make such a
no-action request.
 
    In addition, to comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if
applicable, the Exchange Notes may not be offered or sold unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and is complied with. The Company has
agreed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and subject to certain
specified limitations therein, to register or qualify the Exchange Notes for
offer or sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the
United States as any selling holder of the Notes reasonably requests in writing.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
                               INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
    Semiconductors are the critical components used to create an increasing
variety of electronic products and systems. Since the invention of the
transistor in 1948, continuous improvements in semiconductor process and design
technologies have led to smaller, more complex and more reliable devices at a
lower cost per function. As performance has increased and size and cost have
decreased, semiconductors have expanded beyond their original primary
applications in computer systems to applications in telecommunications systems,
automotive products, consumer products and industrial automation and control
systems. In addition, system users and designers have demanded systems with
increased functionality, higher levels of performance, greater reliability and
shorter design cycle times, all in smaller packages at lower costs. These
demands have resulted in increased semiconductor content as a percentage of the
system costs of electronic products. According to a study published by Texas
Instruments, the value of semiconductors as a percentage of the cost of
electrical devices has increased from 5% in the 1970s to 16% in 1996. The demand
for electronic systems has also expanded geographically with the emergence of
new markets, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region.
 
    During the 1960s and 1970s, the development of semiconductor process
technologies was critical to the success of participants in the industry. As
process technologies matured, manufacturing sciences became important. In the
1980s, the emphasis shifted to increasing production volumes, improving yields
and lowering production costs. The large capital expenditures and other
resources required during this period to develop advanced manufacturing
capabilities resulted in a stratification of the industry between broad range
suppliers operating multiple front-end and back-end manufacturing facilities and
specialty niche players operating small wafer fabs or subcontracting wafer
production.
 
    Historically, cyclical changes in production capacity in the semiconductor
industry and demand for electronic systems have resulted in pronounced cyclical
changes in the level of semiconductor sales and subsequent fluctuations in
prices and margins. However, certain significant changes in the industry could
contribute to continued growth over the long term with less severe cyclical
variations than in the past. Such changes include the development of new
semiconductor applications, increased semiconductor content as a percentage of
total system cost, emerging strategic partnerships, growth in the electronic
systems industry in the Asia/Pacific region, more moderate capital spending on
production capacity, particularly in Japan, and increased customer use of
just-in-time supply systems that have reduced inventory levels.
 
    According to the reports of WSTS, worldwide semiconductor market revenue was
$132.0 billion during 1996. Since 1990, the semiconductor market has expanded at
a CAGR of 17.4%, primarily as a result of two principal factors. The first is
rapidly expanding end-user demand for faster, smaller and more efficient devices
with a greater range of functionality. The second is the increasing value of
semiconductors as a percentage of the cost of electrical devices. In 1996 the
worldwide semiconductor TAM ($132.0 billion) experienced an overall decline from
1995 ($144.4 billion), according to WSTS. The decline was primarily the result
of a 36.2% reduction in sales in the volatile memory market, which includes the
DRAM market.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
SEMICONDUCTOR CLASSIFICATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth the worldwide semiconductor TAM in each of
the three product functions of the semiconductor industry:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 WORLDWIDE SEMICONDUCTOR TAM(1)
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1990   1991   1992   1993    1994    1995    1996   CAGR
                                                    -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  ------  ------  -----
                                                                          (IN BILLIONS)
<S>                                                 <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Microcomponents...................................  $ 9.2  $11.4  $13.9  $19.1  $ 23.8  $ 33.4  $ 39.8  27.8%
Memory
  Volatile........................................    8.7    9.1   11.4   16.4    27.2    46.9    29.9  22.8
  Non-volatile....................................    3.1    3.1    3.4    4.8     5.3     6.6     6.1  12.3
                                                    -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  ------  ------  -----
      Total memory................................   11.8   12.2   14.8   21.3    32.5    53.5    36.0  20.5
Moving/Shaping....................................   29.6   31.0   31.1   37.0    45.6    57.5    56.1  11.3
                                                    -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  ------  ------  -----
Total.............................................  $50.5  $54.6  $59.9  $77.3  $101.9  $144.4  $132.0  17.4%
                                                    -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  ------  ------  -----
                                                    -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  ------  ------  -----
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) According to WSTS. Due to rounding, some totals are not arithmetically
    correct sums of their component figures.
 
Preliminary semiconductor market segment data indicates that worldwide revenue
in 1996 for the volatile memory segment fell dramatically whereas worldwide
revenue in the moving and shaping segment declined less sharply.
 
    The semiconductor industry can be divided into three product functions:
microcomponents, memory and moving and shaping. Microcomponents include
microprocessors and microcontrollers that process data according to instruction
sets embedded within the semiconductors themselves. These are considered the
"brains" of the electronic system and are at the center of the system
architecture. Memory includes two types of memory devices, volatile and
non-volatile, that store data and instructions. Volatile memory devices, which
need continual application of electricity to retain data, can be segmented into
DRAM (dynamic random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory) and VRAM
(video random access memory). Non-volatile devices, which retain data after
power to the device has been shut off, can be segmented into ROM (read-only
memory), EPROM, EEPROM and FLASH (memories that enable high speed electrical
reprogramming). Moving and shaping includes the moving of commands and the
shaping of signals to enable electronic devices to perform intended functions,
including moving information into memory or from one sub-system to another, or
allowing microprocessors to process data. Semiconductors are either analog/mixed
signal, where electronic signals are not viewed as "one" and "zero," or digital
integrated circuits ("ICs"), such as logic devices, that do rely on ones and
zeroes to control the operation of electronic systems. Further, semiconductors
are classified as either standard components or application-specific components.
Multi-market standard components are used by a large group of systems designers
for a broad range of applications, while application-specific components are
designed to perform specific functions in specific applications.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
FAIRCHILD'S MARKETS
 
    The following table sets forth information with respect to worldwide
semiconductor sales by product family and process technology in which the
Company participates:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           WORLDWIDE SEMICONDUCTOR SALES(1)
                                          -----------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
                                          1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
 
<CAPTION>
                                                     (IN BILLIONS)
<S>                                       <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
MOVING & SHAPING:
  LOGIC
    Bipolar.............................  $1.5  $1.1  $1.1  $1.4  $1.1  $ 1.1
    CMOS................................  0.9   0.9   0.9   1.2   1.4     1.5
    BiCMOS..............................  --    --    0.1   0.2   0.1     0.3
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
      Total.............................  $2.3  $2.0  $2.1  $2.7  $2.7  $ 2.9
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
  DISCRETE
    Power...............................  $2.6  $2.7  $2.8  $3.2  $3.9  $ 5.4
    Small Signal........................  2.8   2.9   2.8   3.3   3.8     4.9
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
      Total.............................  $5.4  $5.6  $5.6  $6.5  $7.7  $10.3
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
MEMORY:
  NON-VOLATILE MEMORY
    EPROM...............................  $1.6  $1.4  $1.2  $1.3  $1.4  $ 1.4
    EEPROM..............................  0.2   0.2   0.3   0.6   0.5     0.6
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
      Total.............................  $1.8  $1.5  $1.6  $2.0  $1.9  $ 2.0
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
                                          ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  -----
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------
 
   
(1) Sources: Insite/Onsite, WSTS, Dataquest (1996) reports. Due to rounding,
some totals are not arithmetically correct sums of their component figures.
    
 
MOVING AND SHAPING MARKETS
 
    STANDARD LOGIC MARKET.  The standard logic market is fully digital and has
five major participants, of which Fairchild is one of the leaders. Standard
logic products are fabricated through three primary process technologies:
Bipolar, CMOS and BiCMOS. The difference between Bipolar and CMOS is that
Bipolar technology is targeted for high speed applications while CMOS technology
allows the manufacturer to create a denser chip, consuming less power than
Bipolar chips. BiCMOS is a hybrid of Bipolar and CMOS. While Bipolar
semiconductors were once used extensively in large computer systems, CMOS has
become the most prevalent technology, particularly for devices used in portable
personal computer systems. Though Bipolar process technology produces faster
chips, these chips traditionally produce more heat, which creates design
problems and limits usability in portable applications. Given the growing demand
for portability, use of CMOS technology is expected to continue to expand;
however, the demand for Bipolar is expected to continue as a result of its lower
cost and suitability for particular applications. Significant participants in
the standard logic product market are Texas Instruments, Philips, Motorola and
Toshiba.
 
    DISCRETE MARKET.  The discrete business, unlike logic and memory, is highly
fragmented and composed of dozens of middle market players. Discrete devices
consist of individual diodes or transistors, whereas ICs (such as memory or
logic devices) combine millions of functions onto a "single chip" of silicon to
form a more complex circuit. Discrete products are differentiated almost
entirely on the basis of performance, as opposed to on the basis of function as
in the IC market. Fairchild participates in both the power and small signal
discrete markets, manufacturing semiconductors that condition power or signals
for use by other devices. While small signal discrete markets have generally
grown at slower, but more stable, rates than IC markets, the power discrete
market is rapidly growing due to the increasing importance of power management,
particularly in portable applications (E.G., pagers and notebook computers).
Discrete devices are analog products, and Fairchild competes in the standard end
of the discrete market. Significant
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
participants in the discrete market include Motorola, Toshiba and Philips.
Suppliers of discrete products compete primarily on a regional basis.
 
MEMORY MARKETS
 
    NON-VOLATILE MEMORY MARKET.  The memory market is composed of volatile
memory devices (DRAM, SRAM and VRAM) and non-volatile memory devices (ROM,
EPROM, EEPROM and FLASH). Volatile memory devices need continual application of
electricity to retain data, while non-volatile memory retains data after the
power to the device has been turned off. Most of the historic economic
cyclicality in the semiconductor industry has been attributable to the volatile
memory market, as evidenced by a 36.2% decline in 1996 market sales versus a
4.5% increase for the microcomponents, moving & shaping and non-volatile memory
markets. The non-volatile memory market has eight significant participants
including Fairchild, SGS Thomson, Texas Instruments and Atmel.
 
    Fairchild produces standard EPROM and EEPROM products, but also fabricates
application-specific EEPROM devices. Fairchild has standardized the
application-specific nature of the EEPROM process, having designed it to perform
functions in a specific application, but not be proprietary for any single
customer. EEPROMs are being used extensively due to their ease of
programmability and the demand for these products is growing rapidly. The EEPROM
market has grown at a CAGR of 24.6% from 1990 to 1995, slightly ahead of the
overall semiconductor market growth. EEPROMs are somewhat isolated from FLASH
products, as they serve different market needs. Reprogrammable EEPROMs are used
in many products to store frequently used phone numbers (fax machines), store
accumulated phone time (cellular phones) and change authorization codes (keyless
security systems). EPROMs have been losing market share to FLASH products
because FLASH memories are easily programmed and have higher data densities.
However, there is a level of EPROM demand that is not economically served by
FLASH. As a result, EPROMs are still utilized in virtually all segments of the
low-end consumer electronic market (E.G., answering machines, garage door
openers and washing machines) where storage of the instruction set for the
microcontrollers require less than 2 Mb.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
    Fairchild is a leading global designer, developer and manufacturer of logic,
discrete and memory semiconductors. The Company's products are the building
block components for virtually all electronic devices, from sophisticated
computers to household appliances. Because of their basic functionality, the
Company's products provide customers with greater design flexibility than more
highly integrated products and improve the performance of more complex devices
or systems. Given such characteristics, the Company's products have a wide range
of applications in multi-markets. The Company supplies over 50,000 customers
globally, representing industries such as telecommunications, consumer products,
automotive, industrial systems and personal computers and peripherals. In
addition, most of Fairchild's over 7,000 products have long product lives. The
average life of the Company's product families is more than 12 years and many
product lives extend up to 30 years. The Company has manufacturing facilities in
Maine, Utah, Malaysia and the Philippines and has more than 6,000 employees.
 
    Established more than 35 years ago, Fairchild was one of the original
founders of the semiconductor industry. Among Fairchild's notable innovations
was its development of planar technology in 1959, one of the key events that
spawned the subsequent explosive growth of the semiconductor industry. Even
today this technology is an integral part of all semiconductor fabrication.
Fairchild was established in 1959 as a provider of memory and logic
semiconductors. National Semiconductor acquired Fairchild in 1987. National
Semiconductor decided to relaunch Fairchild as an independent company in order
for National Semiconductor to focus on developing customized systems on a chip
(or chip sets) that integrate the functionality of many semiconductor components
into a single chip. These systems are state-of-the-art products, requiring high
levels of research and development expense, and are exposed to very short
product life cycles. Fairchild operates at the other end of the semiconductor
spectrum, designing and manufacturing standard semiconductors that can be
utilized by manufacturers of electronic products in a wide variety of solutions.
Fairchild's products are long-lived, with some products designed more than 30
years ago still contributing to the Company's financial success. Fairchild's
customers require standard non-customized products which provide the most
reliable solution with the best price/performance result and which remain
continually available throughout the customer's products' often lengthy
lifecycle.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The Company's objective is to be the leading supplier of multi-market
semiconductors to the worldwide telecommunications, consumer products,
automotive, industrial systems and personal computer and peripherals industries.
As a stand-alone company, Fairchild is implementing a business strategy that
emphasizes the following key elements:
 
    INCREASE MARKET PENETRATION OF EXISTING PRODUCTS.  As the only global
semiconductor company focused solely on the logic, discrete and memory markets,
Fairchild is uniquely positioned to dedicate its sales and marketing efforts
toward expanding the market share of its existing products. Following National
Semiconductor's decision to launch Fairchild as an independent company,
Fairchild began to build an internal sales force dedicated solely to the sale of
Fairchild's products. The Company's internal sales force, authorized
representatives and distributors are expanding customer information programs
(including technical specifications, application notes and on-line services),
augmenting the Company's comprehensive customer design-in support efforts
(including application engineering and detailed product performance data) and
increasing trade advertising.
 
    INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS.  The Company is focused on expanding its customer
base and increasing its market share by continuing to develop new products and
enhancements of its current product portfolio. The increasing portability of
computers, cellular phones and other electronic products is one of the most
significant industry trends. The Company is designing new products to meet the
power management, lower voltage, and heat dissipation characteristics for
portability. In the logic market, the Company, in alliance
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
with Toshiba and Motorola, recently developed the advanced CMOS VCX family of
2.5 volt/2.5 nanosecond products. In the discrete market, the Company intends to
build on its current momentum in the surface DMOS Power MOSFET area with the
addition of products with low resistance, low gate drive, small footprints, thin
profiles and superior heat dissipation characteristics. In the memory market,
the Company has the broadest serial EEPROM product offering in the industry and
intends to offer even more of the widely accepted Microwire, IIC and SPI serial
EEPROM product families and to develop application specific memories, such as
Plug and Play components for the personal computer adapter card market and HiSeC
for the automotive market. Management believes that continued product innovation
and investment in research and development will help insulate it from changes in
demand patterns that affect particular customers, industry segments or
end-product markets.
 
    MAINTAIN COST LEADERSHIP.  The Company has made significant capital
expenditures over the last three years to increase capacity and improve
manufacturing efficiency at its facilities. Management believes that its fabs
and assembly and test facilities are among the most productive and efficient in
the industry. The Company will continue to invest in people and assets in order
to increase productivity and enhance process efficiency. Improvements now
underway include the expansion of a continuous flow process throughout the
entire Penang test facility and the introduction of reel-to-reel processing in
the Cebu assembly and test plant.
 
   
    MAINTAIN CONSISTENT HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE.  Multi-market
semiconductor products are available from a number of providers--accordingly,
logistical support, customer service and delivery are critical to customer
retention and sales growth. Fairchild seeks to distinguish its service by
providing what management believes are among the industry's best support
services, including electronic order entry and inquiry, just-in-time delivery
and a full range of Internet services that provide device specifications and
order entry for samples. Fairchild's customer support services are provided
primarily from four regional customer support centers as well as many other
sales office locations throughout the world.
    
 
CUSTOMERS AND APPLICATIONS
 
    Fairchild designs, develops and manufactures products that it supplies to
more than 50,000 customers. The Company provides a wide range of more than 7,000
logic, discrete and memory products to its diverse customer base. The Company's
position as a strategic supplier of basic and essential semiconductor products
fosters close relationships with customers. These relationships result in
additional growth opportunities for sales of existing products as well as early
knowledge of customers' evolving requirements and opportunities arising from the
related development of their new products.
 
    The following table sets forth the Company's principal end-user markets, the
percentage of Fiscal Year 1996 revenue generated from each end-user market,
certain applications for its products and certain of the Company's customers in
Fiscal Year 1996. Products from each of the Company's three businesses are used
throughout each of the major end-user markets set forth below.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
                                            Personal Computer
                                            and Peripheral
END MARKETS:          Telecommunications    Systems               Consumer Products     Automotive            Industrial/Other
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENTAGE OF THE
COMPANY'S FISCAL
YEAR 1996 TRADE
REVENUE:              27%                   31%                   8%                    11%                   23%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPLICATIONS:         Answering machines    Chips for smartcards  Cable television      Airbags               Industrial
                      Central office        Disk drives           systems               Antiskid braking      automation
                      switching systems     Monitors              Compact disc players  kits                  and control
                      Digital cellular      Network controllers   Home security         Automotive            Intelligent power
                      telephones            Optical scanners      systems               entertainment         switches
                      ISDN controllers      Photocopiers          Household appliances  systems               Lighting systems
                      Modems                Printers              Pay television        Central locking       (lamp ballasts)
                      PBX systems           PC motherboards       decoders              systems               Motor controllers
                      Telephone sets                              Satellite receiver    Engine management     Power supplies
                      (corded and                                 decoding circuits     systems               Smartcard readers
                      cordless)                                   Video cassette        Fuel injection
                                                                  recorders             circuits
                                                                                        Ignition circuits
                                                                                        Transmission control
                                                                                        circuits
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMERS:*           Alcatel               Apple                 Canon                 Bosch                 Allen Bradley
                      Ericsson              Compaq                Creative Design       Chrysler              American Power
                      Lucent Technologies   Dell                  Goldstar              Delco Electronics     Honeywell
                      Northern Telecom      Gateway               Sony                  Ford                  Reliance
                      Samsung               Hewlett-Packard       Thompson Consumer     Mitsubishi            Siemens
                      Siemens               IBM                   Zenith                Teves                 Tektronics
                                            Intel                                       Toyota                Teradyne
                                            NEC
                                            Seagate Technology
                                            Toshiba
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE OF            Portable phone        Computer              VCR                   Engine Control        Electric motor
PRODUCT                                                                                                       assembly line
APPLICATION:                                                                                                  control
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INPUT:                Turn on phone         Turn on computer      Program VCR to        Start car             Start motor
                                                                  record                                      assembly conveyor
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT THE PRODUCT      Power is routed from  Boot up program       EEPROM memory is      Program in EPROM      Logic devices and
DOES:                 battery to active     moves from            programmed to         memory directs fuel   discrete products
                      circuits by a         EPROM to main         start VCR             mixture               turn on and off
                      discrete DMOS         memory via logic                                                  conveyor system
                      transistor            chip; logic chips
                                            communicate
                                            between main
                                            memory and
                                            processor
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESULT:               A phone call is made  Internet is accessed  Program is recorded   Car runs smoothly     Motor is assembled
                                                                                        with fewer emissions
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------------
   
*   None of the customers accounted for more than 5% of the Company's revenue
    during Fiscal Year 1996.
    
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY
 
   
    Fairchild designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of products used
in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications,
personal computers and peripherals, consumer products, and automotive and
industrial systems. The Company's products are organized into three principal
products groups: logic products, discrete products and memory products. None of
the customers listed below accounted for more than 5% of the Company's Fiscal
Year 1996 revenue.
    
 
    LOGIC PRODUCTS
 
    Logic devices are digital ICs that control the operation of electronic
systems and move data. The Company designs, develops and manufactures standard
logic devices utilizing three wafer fabrication processes: CMOS, BiCMOS and
Bipolar. Within each of these production processes, the Company manufactures
products that possess advanced performance characteristics, as well as mature
products which provide high performance at low cost to customers. Since market
adoption rates of new standard logic families have historically spanned several
years, management anticipates significant continued revenues from its mature
products. Customers are typically slow to move from an older product to a newer
one. Further, for any given product, standard logic customers use several
different generations of logic products in their designs. As a result, typical
life cycles for logic families are from 20 to 25 years. In Fiscal Year 1996, the
Company derived 91% of its total trade revenues from products developed more
than seven years ago. Nonetheless, management believes that significant future
growth will be derived from new or recently-developed applications that require
advanced technologies. Since it takes new logic products an average of three to
five years to reach full market acceptance, the Company has continually invested
in new products to generate future revenue growth. The Company currently has a
strong portfolio of recent product innovations with a leading market position in
high growth markets.
 
    The Company's logic products are used in a wide variety of microelectronic
applications, including telecommunications, personal computers and peripherals,
automotive systems, consumer products and industrial systems. According to
reports published by Insight Onsite, in 1995 the Company was the third largest
supplier of all standard logic products ($2.9 billion TAM) in the world, with a
market share of approximately 11.2%. Within the advanced standard logic market
($1.2 billion TAM), the Company was the No. 2 supplier in 1995, behind only
Texas Instruments. In total, the Company's product portfolio includes
approximately 2,000 separate ICs and over 4,700 device types. The Company serves
more than 50,000 logic customers worldwide including Alcatel, Delco Electronics,
Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lucent, NEC, Siemens and Toshiba.
 
    CMOS.  CMOS is a technology that consumes less power than Bipolar technology
and therefore permits more transistors to be integrated into a single IC.
Emerging portable applications such as laptop computers, cellular telephones and
hand-held meters all require the low power of CMOS technology. As a result of
its greater capabilities, CMOS technology has been expanding at the expense of
Bipolar. Given the push toward portability and further integration, use of CMOS
technology is expected to continue to expand. The Company's role as a
significant innovator in the logic industry is evidenced by its development of
several leading edge technologies and industry firsts including Low Voltage CMOS
and FACT-TM-, as well as the VHC Low Noise High Speed CMOS product recently
introduced jointly by Fairchild and Toshiba. Fairchild was the No. 2 supplier in
the advanced CMOS logic market in 1995.
 
    BIPOLAR.  Bipolar devices typically operate at high speeds, require more
power and are less costly than CMOS devices, and are used in many applications
that do not require CMOS solutions. In 1980, Fairchild originated
FAST-Registered Trademark- and continues to be a market leader in the Bipolar
product group, with a 16.9% market share of the 1995 worldwide $1.1 billion TAM.
The Company supplies a full line of Bipolar products to a wide customer base in
all end-user applications.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
    BICMOS.  BiCMOS is a hybrid of CMOS and Bipolar technologies developed to
combine the high speed and high drive characteristics of bipolar technologies
with the low power consumption and high integration of CMOS technologies. BiCMOS
is an emerging technology which requires complex manufacturing processes and is
used in niche applications, primarily in the telecommunications market. The
revenue generated by the Company from BiCMOS technology in 1996 was not
significant.
 
    DISCRETE PRODUCTS
 
   
    Discrete devices are individual diodes or transistors that perform basic
signal amplification and switching functions in electronic circuits. Driving the
growth of discretes is the increasing importance of power management,
particularly in portable applications (E.G., pagers and notebook computers).
Fairchild participates in both the power and small signal discrete markets,
manufacturing semiconductors that condition (or shape) power or signals for use
by other devices. While the world market is dominated by such multinational
semiconductor manufacturers as Toshiba, Motorola and Philips, competitors in the
discrete industry compete primarily on a regional basis. Within the domestic
market, which is Fairchild's primary market, Motorola is the No. 1 competitor
with 1996 discrete revenues of $1.4 billion. Fairchild, which has aggressively
pursued opportunities in the domestic discrete market and successfully increased
its discrete revenues from $65.8 million in Fiscal Year 1992 to $175.0 million
in Fiscal Year 1996, is second only to Motorola in the discrete small signal
market. The balance of the domestic industry is highly fragmented, with more
than 50 participants with average revenues from discrete products below $40
million. The Company's Fiscal Year 1996 discrete revenues represented
approximately 25.4% of Fairchild's total trade revenues. The Company serves more
than 15,000 discrete customers worldwide including Compaq, Intel,
Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, Seagate, Northern Telecom, Delco Electronics and Sony
Electronics.
    
 
    POWER.  Power discrete devices are used to convert, switch or otherwise
shape or condition electricity. The Company offers a wide range of DMOS power
MOSFETs and Bipolar power MOSFETs designed for low- and medium-voltage
applications over a wide range of performance characteristics, power handling
capabilities and package options. Management believes the trends towards smaller
and lighter products and longer battery life, as well as batteries with built-in
smart functions, will continue to drive demand for power discretes that handle
higher power levels in smaller packages (increased power density) with higher
efficiency. These products are commonly found in portable computers and
peripherals, portable telephones, automobiles, and battery-powered devices.
 
    SMALL SIGNAL.  Fairchild manufactures and sells a wide range of small signal
discretes, including single junction glass diodes, small signal transistors,
JFETs and Zener diodes. Designed to handle one watt or less of electrical power,
these products are available in a wide variety of package configurations. Small
signal devices switch, amplify and otherwise shape or modify electronic signals
and are found in nearly every electronic product, including computers, cellular
phones, mass storage devices, televisions, radios, VCRs and camcorders.
 
    MEMORY PRODUCTS
 
    The Company designs, develops and manufactures non-volatile memory circuits
which retain data after power to the device has been shut off. The non-volatile
memory market is divided into three segments: EPROM, EEPROM and FLASH. EPROMs
are electrically programmable read-only memories. EEPROMs are electrically
erasable programmable read-only memories that are similar to EPROMs, except they
can be erased electronically before being reprogrammed. These non-volatile
memory devices are used in personal computers and peripherals,
telecommunications, consumer products, automotive and industrial systems. The
Company offers an extensive portfolio of high performance serial EEPROM and
EPROM products. Management believes that Fairchild is a leader in providing an
extensive memory product portfolio to the marketplace, affording it a
competitive advantage. Selected memory customers of
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
the Company include Bosch Automotive Motor Systems, Inc., Chrysler, Compaq,
Delco Electronics, Hewlett-Packard, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,
Siemens and U.S. Robotics Corp.
 
    EPROMS.  EPROMs are used in cellular phones, telecommunication switching
equipment, automotive applications, personal computer hard disk drives and Basic
Input & Output Systems ("BIOS"), printer controllers, industrial machine
controls and numerous other types of electronic equipment to store data
instructions which control the equipment's operation. The ability of EPROMs to
be programmed electrically by the equipment manufacturer enables them to achieve
shorter time to market for new products than if they used products that must be
programmed by the chip manufacturer. EPROMs are generally used in preference to
more expensive FLASH memory devices in applications where cost is a major issue.
 
    EPROMs are primarily utilized in applications where storage of the
instruction sets for microcontrollers requires less than 2 Mb in density, which
is virtually all segments of the low-end consumer electronic market (E.G.,
answering machines, garage door openers and washing machines). The Company's
portfolio of EPROM devices includes three product groups: (i) low density 5 volt
read, (ii) medium and high density 5 volt read and (iii) high density, low
voltage read. The low density 5 volt family is a mature family line in a
declining market. As there are few suppliers of low density products, management
believes the Company is uniquely positioned to capture market share and achieve
high margins with this product despite overall market shrinkage. The medium and
high density 5 volt family is a medium life cycle product in a slow growth
market. The high density low voltage family is an emerging product line in a
high growth market. With the increase in portable consumer devices, lower
voltage products are in demand. In 1995, the Company was ranked fifth in the
EPROM market ($1.4 billion TAM), with a 9.4% market share.
 
    EEPROMS.  EEPROMs are used primarily to store changing information in
consumer products and automotive applications such as microwaves, televisions,
stereos and automotive controls. The Company's serial EEPROM product portfolio
is divided into two product categories: (i) standard EEPROM and (ii) ASSPs. The
Company's standard EEPROM products serve each of the three bus interface
protocols used with all industry standard microcontrollers. The bus is the data
path between memory devices and the microcontroller. The Company's ASSP products
are individually developed for specific applications and combine the Company's
core EEPROM competencies with logic capabilities. The Company's ASSP products
serve three applications groups: HiSeC, Plug and Play and SPD. HiSeC, introduced
in 1994, is a single chip remote keyless entry solution which operates complex
rolling codes for secure entry. The device is intended for applications such as
automotive keyless entry systems, garage door openers and other applications
where secure transmission of a code is critical. Plug and Play devices allow
manufacturers of computer add-on cards to configure automatically their cards
for the host system. Since the introduction of Plug and Play in 1995, the
Company has created several new generations of Plug and Play devices. SPD,
introduced in 1996, allows a computer to identify specifications of an add-on
memory module and is used in memory upgrade products.
 
    In the rapidly growing ASSP market, the Company's strategy is to collaborate
with customers in developing high margin ASSP products which utilize the
Company's unique ability to combine logic and memory on a chip to deliver
differentiated solutions. The Company is currently developing two additional
ASSPs, a radio frequency identification product, named RFID, for contact-less
inventory control and inventory management applications, and Motherboard Mux, a
device which enables the variation of microprocessor speed. As a stand-alone
company, the Company intends to focus on the large market opportunities
available in ASSP products. In 1995, the Company was ranked third in the serial
EEPROM market ($586 million TAM), with an 9.0% market share.
 
SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company's Fiscal Year 1996 revenue was derived from trade sales of
semiconductors (89% of total revenues) and contract manufacturing services for
National Semiconductor (11%). In Fiscal Year
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
1996, the Company derived approximately 61% of its trade sales from OEM
customers through its regional sales organizations and 39% of its trade sales
through distributors.
 
    Fairchild operates regional sales organizations in Europe, the Americas and
the Asia/Pacific region. Each of the three regional sales organizations is
supported by logistics organizations which manage independently-operated FOB
warehouses. Product orders flow to the Company's manufacturing facilities, where
the product is made. Products are then shipped to the central warehouse in
Singapore, which ships to the regional warehouses for eventual delivery to the
customer.
 
    Fairchild has a dedicated direct sales organization operating in the
Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific regions that serves its major OEM accounts.
The Company's distributors and manufacturer's representatives distribute its
products around the world. The sales managers within each region are responsible
for Fairchild's distributors and representatives servicing that region.
Management believes that maintaining a small, highly focused, direct sales force
selling products for each of the Company's three businesses, combined with an
extensive network of distributors and representatives, is the most efficient way
to serve its multi-market customer base. Fairchild also maintains a dedicated
marketing organization, which consists of marketing organizations in each
product group, including tactical and strategic marketing and applications, as
well as marketing personnel located in each of the three sales regions.
 
    Typically, distributors handle a wide variety of products, including
products that compete with Fairchild products, and fill orders for many
customers. Most of the Company's sales to distributors are made under agreements
allowing for market price fluctuations and/or the right of return on unsold
merchandise. The Company has historically experienced low levels of returns of
unsold products. Sales representatives generally do not offer products that
compete directly with the Company's products, but may carry complementary items
manufactured by others. Representatives do not maintain a product inventory;
instead their customers place large quantity orders directly with Fairchild and
are referred to distributors for smaller orders.
 
    For a transition period of approximately one year following the
Transactions, in order to provide a smooth transition for the Fairchild customer
base, National Semiconductor has agreed to make available to Fairchild much of
its sales organization infrastructure, as well as its Japanese marketing and
distribution infrastructure and the use of its regional logistics organizations.
See "The Transactions--Transition Services Agreement." During this period,
customers place their orders either through National Semiconductor's Customer
Response Centers in Germany, Texas, Singapore and Japan, or through Fairchild's
network of independent distributors and manufacturer's representatives.
Following the transition period, Fairchild will utilize its own inside sales
organization.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
    The Company's expenses for research and development in Fiscal Years 1994,
1995 and 1996 were $27.4 million, $31.0 million and $30.3 million, respectively.
Such expenses represented 4.2%, 5.0% and 4.4% of trade sales in Fiscal Years
1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company's research and development
expenses are charged to operations as incurred. Management expects that it will
have to increase its direct research and development expenditures following the
date of consummation of the Transactions from approximately 1.7% of Fiscal Year
1996 trade sales to approximately 3.3% of trade sales.
 
    Manufacturing technology is the key determinant in the improvement of
semiconductor products. Each new generation of process technology has resulted
in products with higher speed and greater performance produced at lower cost.
Infrastructure investments made in recent years will enable the Company to
continue to achieve high volume, high reliability and low-cost production using
leading edge process technology. The Company's research and development efforts
are focused on new product development and improvements in process technology.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
    The Company's new product efforts are primarily focused on three major
areas: (i) in the logic product business, toward multi-market solutions for off
board driving (backplanes) applications, which drive signals from a printed
circuit board through a connector to other parts of the system; on board
buffering applications, which add current drive to signals on a printed circuit
board; on board inter-connect applications, which route or gate signals between
electronic devices on a printed circuit board; and signal conditioning
applications, which shape, invert, delay or change electrical signals within the
system; (ii) in the discrete product business, toward remaining on the forefront
of technological change and developing enhancements of its current and future
products; and (iii) in the memory product business, toward producing cost
competitive standard products and developing value-added ASSP solutions that
provide the Company's customers a competitive cost or functional advantage.
 
    The Company maintains an independent research and development organization
at its South Portland facility, which is supported by its engineering staff at
the Salt Lake City, Santa Clara, Penang and Cebu locations and by its marketing
personnel worldwide. The Company works closely with its major customers in many
research and development situations, an arrangement which management believes
substantially increases the likelihood that the Company's products will be
designed directly into the customers' products and achieve rapid and lasting
market acceptance.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
    Fairchild currently operates four manufacturing facilities, two of which are
front-end wafer fabrication facilities located in the United States and two of
which are back-end assembly and test facilities in the Asia/ Pacific region.
Fairchild's products are manufactured and designed using a broad range of
manufacturing processes and proprietary design methods. The Company uses all of
the prevalent function-oriented process technologies, including CMOS, Bipolar,
BiCMOS, DMOS and non-volatile memory technologies. The Company's manufacturing
operations are organized around the concept of delivering maximum customer value
through premier service and minimizing total customer costs. The table below
sets forth certain information with respect to Fairchild's current manufacturing
facilities, products and technologies.
 
                            MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       LOCATION                     PRODUCTS                         TECHNOLOGIES
- ----------------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                                <C>
FRONT-END FACILITIES:
  South Portland,       Bipolar, CMOS and                  4-inch fab -- 5.0/3.0 micron
    Maine               BiCMOS logic products              Bipolar and CMOS
                        National Semiconductor             5-inch fab -- 3.0/1.5 micron
                        contract manufacturing             Bipolar and CMOS
                                                           6-inch fab -- 1.5/0.8 micron CMOS
                                                                         and BiCMOS
  Salt Lake City, Utah  EPROMs, EEPROMs, Plug and          6-inch fab -- 2.0/0.65 micron
                        Play                               CMOS
                        Discrete power                     EEPROM
                        National Semiconductor             -- 2.0/0.8 micron CMOS
                        contract manufacturing             EPROM
                                                           -- 2.0 micron DMOS
BACK-END FACILITIES:
  Penang, Malaysia      Bipolar, CMOS and BiCMOS logic     MDIP, SOIC, EIAJ, TSSOP, SSOP,
                        products                           8-56 Pins
                        National Semiconductor assembly
                        and test services
  Cebu, the             Power and small signal discrete    TO92, SOT-23, Super SOT, SOT-223,
    Philippines         National Semiconductor assembly    TO220, TO263
                        and test services
</TABLE>
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    The Company's strategy is to have its manufacturing facilities dedicated to
its product groups. The South Portland and Penang facilities primarily support
the logic products group and the Salt Lake City and Cebu facilities primarily
support the discrete and memory products groups. The Company also subcontracts
fabrication of wafers and certain discrete products to Torex Semiconductor as
well as certain back-end assembly and testing operations to Alphatech. In
addition, the Company is entering into foundry and assembly service agreements
with National Semiconductor, under which the Company will purchase certain
services from National Semiconductor. See "The Transactions--Manufacturing
Agreements."
 
    Fairchild's manufacturing processes use many raw materials, including
silicon wafers, copper lead frames, mold compound, ceramic packages and various
chemicals and gases. The Company obtains its raw materials and supplies from a
large number of sources on a just-in-time basis. Although supplies for the raw
material used by the Company are currently adequate, shortages could occur in
various essential materials due to interruption of supply or increased demand in
the industry.
 
    All of the Company's manufacturing facilities have been certified to conform
to ISO international quality standards. Several major customers, including
Siemens, Intel, AT&T and Ford, have recognized Fairchild's commitment to quality
and have honored the Company with numerous quality awards. The Company's CIM
systems provide management with real time data on all aspects of the performance
of its manufacturing lines.
 
BACKLOG
 
    The Company's trade sales are made primarily pursuant to standard purchase
orders that are generally booked from one to twelve months in advance of
delivery. Backlog is influenced by several factors including market demand,
pricing and customer order patterns in reaction to product lead times.
Quantities actually purchased by customers, as well as prices, are subject to
variations between booking and delivery to reflect changes in customer needs or
industry conditions. Fairchild recognizes only the first 26 weeks of backlog.
Backlog as of March 23, 1997 was $175.8 million (exclusive of contract
manufacturing services), as compared to $173.0 million as of February 23, 1997
and $201.9 million as of February 25, 1996. The Company recognizes revenue from
contract manufacturing services but does not account for these revenues on a
backlog basis.
 
    Although the Company's backlog has increased in recent periods due to
improved conditions in the semiconductor market, in a declining market the
Company has in the past and may in the future be requested to reduce prices to
limit the level of order cancellations. Despite price reductions, however, in an
industry downturn order cancellations may still be expected, particularly by
distributors and for standard products. The Company's level of backlog is
therefore not necessarily a reliable indicator of the level of future billings.
 
    Fairchild also sells certain products to key customers pursuant to
contracts. Contracts are annual fixed-price contracts with customers setting
forth the terms of purchase and sale of specific products. These contracts allow
the Company to schedule production capacity in advance and allow customers to
manage their inventory levels consistent with just-in-time principles while
shortening the cycle times required to produce ordered products.
 
COMPETITION
 
    Markets for the Company's products are highly competitive. Although only a
few companies compete with Fairchild in all of the Company's product lines, the
Company faces significant competition within each of its product lines from
major international semiconductor companies. Some of the Company's competitors
may have substantially greater financial and other resources with which to
pursue engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of their products
than the Company. Competitors include manufacturers of standard semiconductors,
application-specific ICs and fully customized ICs, including
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
both chip and board-level products, as well as customers who develop their own
integrated circuit products.
 
    The Company's primary competitors include Motorola, Siliconix Inc.,
International Rectifier Corporation, Siemens, Philips, Rohm Corporation, Texas
Instruments, Toshiba, Integrated Device Technology, Inc., SGS-Thomson, Inc.,
Microchip Technology Inc., Atmel Corporation, Xicor, Inc. and Advanced Micro
Devices, Inc.
 
    The Company competes in different product lines to various degrees on the
basis of price, technical performance, product features, product system
compatibility, customized design, availability, quality and sales and technical
support. The Company's ability to compete successfully depends on elements both
within and outside of its control, including successful and timely development
of new products and manufacturing processes, product performance and quality,
manufacturing yields and product availability, customer service, pricing,
industry trends and general economic trends.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company's corporate headquarters as well as certain manufacturing and
warehouse operations are located in approximately 240,000 square feet of space
in buildings owned by the Company in South Portland, Maine. Additional
manufacturing, warehouse and office facilities are housed in approximately
300,000 square feet of space in buildings owned by the Company in Salt Lake
City, Utah.
 
    The Company owns or leases approximately 397,000 square feet of
manufacturing and warehouse space in Penang, Malaysia. Additional warehouse
space is leased in Singapore.
 
    Manufacturing, warehouse and office facilities are housed in approximately
170,000 square feet of space owned or leased by the Company in Cebu, the
Philippines. Additional office facilities are located in leased space in Santa
Clara, California.
 
    Leases affecting the facilities in Penang, Malaysia and Cebu, the
Philippines are generally in the form of long-term ground leases, with the
Company owning improvements on the land. The initial terms of these leases will
expire beginning in 2014. In some cases the Company has the option to renew the
lease term, while in others the Company has the option to purchase the leased
premises.
 
TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS
 
    The Company owns rights to a number of trademarks and patents that are
important to its business. Management considers Fairchild, FACT-TM- and
FAST-Registered Trademark- to be the trademarks that are material to the
Company's operations.
 
    Fairchild's corporate policy is to protect proprietary products by obtaining
patents for such products when practicable. Under the Technology Licensing and
Transfer Agreement with National Semiconductor entered into in connection with
the Transactions, the Company has acquired more than 150 U.S. patents and
obtained perpetual, royalty free non-exclusive licenses on more than 1,000 of
National Semiconductor's patents. Management believes that it has the right to
use all technology used in the production of its products. See "The
Transactions--Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The Company's operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations
in the countries in which it operates that regulate, among other things, air and
water emissions and discharges at the Company's manufacturing facilities; the
generation, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and
hazardous wastes by the Company; the investigation, remediation and response
related to environmental contamination; and the release of hazardous substances,
pollutants and contaminants into the environment at or from properties operated
by the Company and at other sites. As with other companies engaged in like
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
businesses, the nature of the Company's operations exposes it to the risk of
liabilities or claims with respect to such matters. Management believes,
however, that its operations are in substantial compliance with applicable
environmental laws and regulations.
 
    The Company's facilities in South Portland, Maine and, to a lesser extent,
Salt Lake City, Utah have ongoing remediation projects to respond to certain
releases of hazardous substances that occurred prior to the consummation of the
Transactions. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, National Semiconductor
has agreed to indemnify the Company for the cost of these projects. See "The
Transactions--Asset Purchase Agreement." Based on the historical costs of these
projects, management does not believe the cost to continue to respond to these
conditions will be material, even without the indemnity. The Company has leased
one building as office space from National Semiconductor, which is located in
Santa Clara, California on a portion of a Superfund site. The Regional Water
Quality Control Board, acting as an agent for the Environmental Protection
Agency, has selected a clean-up remedy for the Superfund site, portions of which
management understands are currently being implemented. With certain
limitations, any claims asserted against the Company for damages in connection
with contamination existing prior to the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement
would be covered under National Semiconductor's indemnity in the Asset Purchase
Agreement and, in connection with the Santa Clara facility, under the lease.
 
    In connection with the Transactions, the Company identified certain
conditions which may require further investigation and possible remediation or
response activity. However, management believes that based on independent
consultants' projected costs for such activities and the National Semiconductor
indemnity, such additional investigation, remediation or response activities
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations,
business or financial condition. Future laws or regulations and changes in
existing environmental laws or regulations may subject the Company's operations
to different, additional or more stringent standards. While historically the
cost of compliance with environmental laws has not had a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations, business or financial condition,
management cannot predict with certainty its future costs of compliance because
of changing standards and requirements. There can be no assurance by the Company
that material costs will not be incurred in connection with the future
compliance with environmental laws.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    From time to time the Company is involved in legal proceedings arising in
the ordinary course of its business. Management believes there is no litigation
pending that could have a material adverse effect on its operations.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    The Company's worldwide workforce consisted of approximately 6,180 employees
(full- and part-time) as of February 23, 1997, none of whom were represented by
collective bargaining arrangements. Of the total number of employees,
approximately 5,455 were engaged in manufacturing, approximately 75 were engaged
in marketing and sales, approximately 400 were engaged in administration, and
approximately 250 were engaged in research and development. Of the total number
of employees, approximately 3,305 or 54% were employed in the logic product
group, approximately 2,300 or 37% were employed in the discrete product group
and approximately 575 or 9% were employed in the memory product group.
 
                                THE TRANSACTIONS
 
RECAPITALIZATION AGREEMENT
 
    Pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement with National Semiconductor, the
following transactions occurred on March 11, 1997 (collectively, the
"Transactions"): (i) National Semiconductor transfered to the Company, pursuant
to an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"), substantially
all of the assets and certain of the liabilities of the Fairchild multi-market
semiconductor business in
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
exchange for (a) the Purchase Price Notes in the principal amount of $401.6
million and (b) all of the Company's capital stock; (ii) National Semiconductor
transferred all of the capital stock of the Company and approximately $12.8
million in cash to Fairchild Holdings in exchange for shares of Holdings
Preferred Stock, Holdings Common Stock and the Holdings PIK Note in the
principal amount of approximately $77.0 million; (iii) Fairchild Holdings issued
(a) to Sterling shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings Common Stock for
$58.5 million in cash and (b) to the Management Investors shares of Holdings
Preferred Stock and Holdings Common Stock for approximately $6.5 million in
cash; (iv) Fairchild Holdings contributed cash in the amount of approximately
$77.8 million to the capital of the Company; (v) the Company borrowed $120.0
million under the Senior Credit Facilities and received the net proceeds from
the issuance of the Notes in the Offering; and (vi) the Company repaid the
Purchase Price Notes in cash. Pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement, the
Company and National Semiconductor entered into the Asset Purchase Agreement,
the Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement, the Fairchild Foundry Services
Agreement, the Fairchild Assembly Services Agreement, the National Foundry
Services Agreement, the National Assembly Services Agreement, the Mil/Aero Wafer
and Services Agreement, the Shared Facilities Agreement, the Shared Services
Agreement, the Santa Clara Lease, the Transition Services Agreement, the
Stockholders' Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. See "Ownership of
Capital Stock--Stockholders' Agreement" and "--Registration Rights Agreement."
 
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
    The Asset Purchase Agreement provides for the sale from National
Semiconductor to Fairchild of substantially all the assets and certain of the
liabilities of the logic, discrete and memory business units. The assets
purchased by Fairchild include, among other things, certain properties located
at South Portland, Maine and Salt Lake City, Utah (see "Properties") as well as,
with some exceptions and limitations, all of the manufacturing equipment, motor
vehicles, office furniture, inventory, governmental permits and licenses and
other assets necessary to operate the Company's businesses. In addition,
purchased assets include (i) the contractual rights and obligations which
primarily relate to the logic, discrete and memory product units, (ii) the
intellectual property rights granted under the Technology Licensing and Transfer
Agreement and (iii) all of the capital stock of the Foreign Subsidiaries which
own or lease the properties located in Penang, Malaysia and Cebu, the
Philippines. Among the liabilities not assumed by Fairchild are any of the
environmental liabilities (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) of
National Semiconductor. The agreement provides that National Semiconductor will
indemnify Fairchild for any damages arising from such excluded liabilities. The
agreement also provides for Fairchild to offer to employ all logic, discrete and
memory employees on substantially the same terms and conditions as they were
employed immediately before the Transactions. In addition, the agreement
contains a provision that, subject to certain limitations, forbids National
Semiconductor for a period of five years after the consummation of the
Transactions from engaging in any business competing with Fairchild products in
existence on the date the Transactions are consummated. For a period of 39
months after consummation of the Transactions the agreement, subject to certain
limitations, forbids the Company from engaging in any business competing with
National Semiconductor's products on the date the Transactions were consummated.
 
TECHNOLOGY LICENSING AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT
 
    Under the Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement, National
Semiconductor assigned or non-exclusively licensed to the Company certain
patent, copyright, maskwork, trade secret and trademark rights necessary to the
Company's business and to make certain improvements to the Company's product
line. These rights include a non-exclusive license to practice certain processes
necessary to the Company's business. For patent rights, National Semiconductor
assigned to the Company more than 150 patents and granted the Company a
worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license under applicable patents and
patent applications, for the life of such patents (but without right to
sublicense) to manufacture, package, use, sell, offer for sale, import, design
or develop the Company's products and certain improvements to those
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
products. With respect to copyrights and maskworks used in the Company's
business, National Semiconductor granted the Company an undivided interest in
certain co-owned copyrights and maskworks. For trademarks, National
Semiconductor assigned certain trademarks related to the Company's products and
granted licenses recognizing transitional use of visible trademarks and of
product-embedded trademarks, which embedded trademarks in some cases will not be
eliminated until the relevant product is discontinued or replaced. For patents
that National Semiconductor assigned to the Company, a worldwide, paid-up,
royalty-free, non-exclusive license, with a limited right to sublicense, was
granted by the Company to National Semiconductor.
 
    National Semiconductor and the Company also agreed to further cross-license
certain discoveries, improvements or inventions occurring within one year after
the consummation of the Transactions, with no right to grant sublicenses (except
for the purpose of settling third party claims against the Company). The
agreement further provides that National Semiconductor, for a period of time,
shall indemnify and render assistance to the Company for intellectual property
claims made by third parties.
 
MANUFACTURING AGREEMENTS
 
    Under the National Foundry Services Agreement and the Fairchild Foundry
Services Agreement (collectively, the "Foundry Agreements"), National
Semiconductor and Fairchild manufacture semiconductor products (I.E., provide
"foundry" services) for each other during at least the 39-month period following
consummation of the Transactions. Foundry services are the manufacturing
processes through which thousands of integrated circuits are added to raw
silicon wafers. The Fairchild Foundry Services Agreement establishes the terms
and conditions under which Fairchild provides foundry services for National
Semiconductor and the National Foundry Services Agreement defines the terms and
conditions under which National Semiconductor provides foundry services for
Fairchild. The Foundry Agreements (i) establish the processes used by the
foundry service provider, (ii) define purchase commitments and production
forecasts, (iii) establish pricing, (iv) provide for engineering support from
the other party, (v) establish quality standards and (vi) specify delivery and
payment terms, among other things. The agreements also specify warranty and
inspection terms.
 
    The National Assembly Services Agreement and the Fairchild Assembly Services
Agreement (collectively, the "Assembly Agreements") provide for assembly and
test services between National Semiconductor and Fairchild during at least the
39-month period following consummation of the Transactions. During the assembly
and test phase of semiconductor production, the thousands of integrated circuits
produced on silicon wafers during the foundry phase are separated and packaged
into individual devices ready for sale to the Company's customers. The Fairchild
Assembly Services Agreement establishes the terms and conditions under which
Fairchild provides assembly and test services for National Semiconductor and the
National Assembly Services Agreement establishes the terms and conditions under
which National Semiconductor provides such services for Fairchild. Similar to
the Foundry Agreements, the Assembly Agreements establish terms for (i) volume
commitments and production planning, (ii) ordering and shipping, (iii) quality,
inspection and acceptance of finished goods and (iv) pricing and payment. For
information on pricing under the Fairchild Foundry Services Agreement and the
Fairchild Assembly Services Agreement, see Note 1(a) to "Notes to Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Operations."
 
    In addition to the Foundry Agreements and the Assembly Agreements, National
Semiconductor and Fairchild have entered into the Mil/Aero Wafer and Services
Agreement (the Foundry Agreements, the Assembly Agreements and the Mil/Aero
Wafer and Services Agreement, collectively, the "Manufacturing Agreements")
which establishes, in a similar fashion, the terms and conditions under which
Fairchild manufactures integrated circuits for certain military and aerospace
industry customers of National Semiconductor.
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
    The Manufacturing Agreements provide both the Company and National
Semiconductor assured sources of supply and demand. National Semiconductor is
required to purchase from Fairchild a minimum of $330.0 million in goods and
services in the first 39 months following the consummation of the Transactions
at prices that are designed to generate a 20% gross profit for the Company,
subject to certain conditions and adjustments. See Note 1(a) of Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements of Operations. See
"Risk Factors--Dependence on National Semiconductor."
 
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
 
    Under the Transition Services Agreement, National Semiconductor is providing
a number of business support services to the Company that assist in Fairchild's
conversion to an independent entity. From the consummation of the Transactions
until, in most instances, June 1, 1998, National Semiconductor has agreed to
provide to Fairchild (i) data processing and communication services, (ii)
financial and administrative support, (iii) purchasing services, (iv) marketing
and sales services, (v) logistics and operational support services, (vi) human
resources and benefits services and (vii) security assistance and consulting as
well as additional services as provided in separate shared facilities and
services agreements for the South Portland, Maine site and a sublease for the
Santa Clara, California site. Generally, the agreement provides for National
Semiconductor to invoice Fairchild for the services provided, with certain
charges based on a fixed cost and other charges based on National
Semiconductor's actual incurred costs. In addition, under the agreement National
Semiconductor has granted to the Company a royalty-free, perpetual and
irrevocable worldwide license to use National Semiconductor's in-house business,
engineering and manufacturing systems software. The license will survive
termination of the agreement. See "Risk Factors-- Dependence on National
Semiconductor."
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
persons who are members of the Board of Directors or executive officers of
Fairchild Holdings and the Company. Other officers may also be appointed to fill
certain positions. Each director of Fairchild Holdings and the Company will hold
office until the next annual meeting of shareholders of Fairchild Holdings or
the Company or until his successor has been elected and qualified.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                      AGE                                      TITLE
- ------------------------------------      ---      ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>
 
Kirk P. Pond........................          52   Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive
                                                   Officer
 
Joseph R. Martin....................          49   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Director
 
Jerry M. Baker......................          45   Executive Vice President and General Manager, Memory and Discrete
                                                   Products Group
 
W. Wayne Carlson....................          54   Executive Vice President and General Manager, Logic Products Group
 
Daniel E. Boxer.....................          51   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
Darrell Mayeux......................          54   Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing
 
David A. Henry......................          35   Corporate Controller
 
Matthew W. Towse....................          34   Treasurer
 
Brian L. Halla......................          49   Director
 
William N. Stout....................          58   Director
 
Richard M. Cashin, Jr...............          43   Director
 
Paul C. Schorr IV...................          30   Director
</TABLE>
 
    KIRK P. POND, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER.  Mr. Pond has been the President of the Company since June
1996. Since 1987, Mr. Pond has held several executive positions with National
Semiconductor, most recently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer. Prior executive management positions were with Fairchild Semiconductor
Corporation, Texas Instruments and Timex Corporation.
 
    JOSEPH R. MARTIN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND
DIRECTOR.  Mr. Martin has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since June 1996. Mr. Martin has held several senior
financial positions with National Semiconductor since 1989, most recently as
Vice President of Finance, Worldwide Operations. Prior to joining National
Semiconductor, Mr. Martin was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of VTC Incorporated, and prior to that held various senior positions with the
Company.
 
    JERRY M. BAKER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, MEMORY AND
DISCRETE PRODUCTS GROUP. Mr. Baker has been Executive Vice President and General
Manager, Memory and Discrete Products Group, since December 1996. He has spent
more than 24 years in a variety of engineering and management positions within
National Semiconductor, most recently as Vice President and General Manager,
Discrete Products Divisions.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
    W. WAYNE CARLSON, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, LOGIC
PRODUCTS GROUP.  Mr. Carlson has been Executive Vice President and General
Manager, Logic Products Group, since June 1996. He has 30 years of prior
engineering and management experience with National Semiconductor and Fairchild,
most recently as Vice President and General Manager, Data Management Division.
 
    DANIEL E. BOXER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND
SECRETARY.  Mr. Boxer joined the Company immediately following the consummation
of the Transactions, having worked closely on behalf of the Company on many
aspects of the Transactions. He has practiced law for 27 years and since 1975
had been a partner at the law firm of Pierce Atwood, Portland, Maine. His
practice at Pierce Atwood included advising many of Maine's largest
manufacturing companies, including the Company, on business, governmental, legal
compliance and environmental issues. He was most recently a senior partner and
Chairman of the firm's Management Committee.
 
    DARRELL MAYEUX, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, WORLDWIDE SALES AND MARKETING.  Mr.
Mayeux has been Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing since
November 1996. He had been with National Semiconductor since 1992 as Vice
President of Sales and Marketing for logic products group. He previously held
engineering, marketing and general management positions with Texas Instruments
and Philips.
 
    DAVID A. HENRY, CORPORATE CONTROLLER.  Mr. Henry has been Corporate
Controller since December 1996. He had been with National Semiconductor for
eight years and has held various financial management positions, most recently
as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for Fairchild. Mr. Henry
previously worked for Amfac, Inc. as well as Ernst and Whinney, and is a
Certified Public Accountant.
 
    MATTHEW W. TOWSE, TREASURER.  Mr. Towse became Treasurer upon consummation
of the Transactions. He had been with National Semiconductor for six years and
has held various financial management positions, most recently as Controller for
the Fairchild plant in South Portland, Maine. Mr. Towse previously worked for
Ernst & Young and is a Certified Public Accountant.
 
   
    BRIAN L. HALLA, DIRECTOR.  Mr. Halla has been employed by National
Semiconductor since 1996, serving as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer. From 1988 to 1996, he was employed by LSI Logic Corporation,
where he was (in reverse chronological order) Executive Vice President, LSI
Logic Products; Senior Vice President and General Manager, Microprocessor/DSP
Products Group; and Vice General Manager, Microprocessor Products Group.
    
 
    WILLIAM N. STOUT, DIRECTOR.  Mr. Stout has been Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Sterling Holding Company and Sterling's subsidiaries since 1988.
Sterling is engaged, through subsidiaries including Trompeter Electronics, Inc.
and Semflex, Inc., in the manufacture and sale of coaxial connectors, coaxial
cable and coaxial cable assemblies. From 1985 to 1988, Mr. Stout was a private
investor and consultant. From 1979 until 1985, Mr. Stout was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Lundy Electronics & Systems, which manufactured electronic
products and systems.
 
    RICHARD M. CASHIN, JR., DIRECTOR.  Mr. Cashin has been employed by Citicorp
Venture Capital Ltd. since 1980, and has been President since 1994. Mr. Cashin
is a director of Levitz Furniture Incorporated, Lifestyle Furnishings
International, Euromax and Titan Wheel International.
 
   
    PAUL C. SCHORR IV, DIRECTOR.  Mr. Schorr has been employed by and been a
Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd. since 1996. Prior to joining
Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd., Mr. Schorr was employed by McKinsey & Company,
Inc. as an associate (1993-1995) and as an engagement manager (1995-1996). He is
a director of Inland Resources.
    
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND ARRANGEMENTS
 
    It is not currently contemplated that those persons listed above as
directors of the Company and who are employed by the Company or by Citicorp
Venture Capital Ltd. will receive compensation for their services as directors.
Members of the Board of Directors will be elected pursuant to certain voting
agreements outlined in the Stockholders' Agreement.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
   
    The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
compensation received by the five most highly compensated officers of the
Company for services rendered in Fiscal Years 1997 and 1996.
    
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          LONG-TERM
                                                                                        COMPENSATION
                                                                  ANNUAL COMPENSATION   -------------
                                                                  --------------------  STOCK OPTION      ALL OTHER
                                                       FISCAL      SALARY      BONUS     AWARDS (1)    COMPENSATION(2)
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                             YEAR         ($)        ($)      (# SHARES)          ($)
- ---------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
 
Kirk P. Pond (3)...................................        1997     424,624    594,382      100,000         3,018,314
  Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and        1996     414,521    146,300       18,000            34,292
  Chief Executive Officer
 
Joseph R. Martin...................................        1997     201,614    147,385        9,000         1,251,476
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial             1996     181,466     68,875        7,500             7,114
  Officer and Director
 
Jerry M. Baker.....................................        1997     204,864    241,269       10,000           602,782
  Executive Vice President and General Manager,            1996     169,370     54,744       10,200             6,906
  Memory and Discrete Products Group
 
W. Wayne Carlson...................................        1997     245,862    198,582       10,000           801,614
  Executive Vice President and General Manager,            1996     234,125     64,815        7,000             8,895
  Logic Products Group
 
Darrell Mayeux.....................................        1997     176,775    122,681        8,200           525,842
  Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and               1996     160,458     31,801        4,000             6,072
  Marketing
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
   
(1) All Options granted were for National Semiconductor common stock pursuant to
    National Semiconductor's Stock Option Plan. National Semiconductor's
    obligations under its Stock Option Plan were not assumed by Fairchild.
    
 
   
(2) Amounts shown reflect contributions and allocations to National
    Semiconductor and/or Fairchild defined contribution retirement plans and the
    value of life insurance premiums paid by National Semiconductor and/or
    Fairchild for term life insurance as follows: for Fiscal Year 1996, all
    amounts shown; for Fiscal Year 1997, $18,314 for Mr. Pond; $4,289 for Mr.
    Martin; $4,500 for Mr. Baker; $4,542 for Mr. Carlson; and $4,828 for Mr.
    Mayeux. The remainder of amounts shown for Fiscal Year 1997 are comprised of
    one-time retention bonuses paid by National Semiconductor as follows:
    $3,000,000 to Mr. Pond; $1,247,187 to Mr. Martin; $598,282 to Mr. Baker;
    $797,072 to Mr. Carlson; and $521,014 to Mr. Mayeux.
    
 
   
(3) In addition to the amounts disclosed in the table, Mr. Pond received, as
    long-term compensation from National Semiconductor in Fiscal Year 1996,
    $311,190 in long-term incentive plan payouts pursuant to National
    Semiconductor's Performance Award Plan and, in Fiscal Year 1997, a severance
    payment from National Semiconductor of $742,753. National Semiconductor's
    obligations under the Performance Award Plan were not assumed by Fairchild.
    
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
   
    The following table provides information pertaining to individual grants
made by National Semiconductor of options for shares of National Semiconductor
common stock to the named executive officers in Fiscal Year 1997.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   STOCK
                                                  OPTIONS         % OF ALL                                  GRANT DATE
                                                  GRANTED      OPTIONS GRANTED    EXERCISE                   PRESENT
                                                 (# SHARES)   TO ALL EMPLOYEES      PRICE     EXPIRATION      VALUE
                                                    (1)            (%) (2)       ($/ SHARE)     DATE(3)      ($) (4)
                                                ------------  -----------------  -----------  -----------  ------------
 
<S>                                             <C>           <C>                <C>          <C>          <C>
Kirk P. Pond..................................      100,000            1.36           15.75       6/9/97       939,173
 
Joseph R. Martin..............................        9,000            0.12           15.50       6/9/97        83,184
 
                                                     10,000            0.14           15.50       6/9/97        92,427
Jerry M. Baker................................
 
W. Wayne Carlson..............................       10,000            0.14           15.50       6/9/97        92,427
 
Darrell Mayeux................................        8,200            0.11           15.50       6/9/97        75,790
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(1) Options for National Semiconductor common stock granted under the National
    Semiconductor Stock Option Plan during Fiscal Year 1997.
    
 
   
(2) A total of 7,344,045 options were granted to National Semiconductor
    employees, including executive officers, during Fiscal Year 1997.
    
 
   
(3) Under the National Semiconductor Stock Option Plan, options expire 10 years
    after they are granted. However, the Asset Purchase Agreement provided that
    options granted at least six months prior to consummation of the
    Transactions would expire 90 days after consummation of the Transactions.
    
 
   
(4) Represents grant date valuation computed under the Black-Scholes option
    pricing model adapted for use in valuing stock options. The actual value, if
    any, that may be realized will depend on the excess of the stock price over
    the exercise price on the date the option is exercised, so there can be no
    assurance that the value realized will be at or near the value estimated by
    the Black-Scholes model.
    
 
   
    The following table provides information with respect to the named executive
officers concerning the exercise of National Semiconductor options during Fiscal
Year 1997, and unexercised National Semiconductor options held as of the end of
Fiscal Year 1997.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NUMBER OF
                                                                        UNEXERCISED      VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                                         OPTIONS AT             IN-THE-
                                          SHARES ACQUIRED    VALUE      FISCAL YEAR        MONEY OPTIONS AT
                                            ON EXERCISE     REALIZED        END             FISCAL YEAR END
NAME                                          (#)(1)         ($)(2)        (#)(3)              ($)(3)(4)
- ----------------------------------------  ---------------  ----------  --------------  -------------------------
 
<S>                                       <C>              <C>         <C>             <C>
Kirk P. Pond............................        50,000      1,192,750       174,000             2,010,250
 
Joseph R. Martin........................         5,875         51,688        22,750               184,688
 
Jerry M. Baker..........................        41,225        537,947         5,200                     0
 
W. Wayne Carlson........................        47,625        848,125        22,375               197,188
 
Darrell Mayeux..........................         3,225         24,116        19,950               170,375
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Options exercised were for National Semiconductor common stock. The table
    excludes any shares acquired under the National Semiconductor Employees
    Stock Purchase Plan.
 
(2) Equals the market value of the underlying shares (based on the opening price
    of National Semiconductor common stock on the date of exercise) less the
    exercise price.
 
   
(3) All National Semiconductor options held by the named executive officers were
    exercisable at the end of Fiscal Year 1997.
    
 
   
(4) Represents the difference between $28.00, the market price of National
    Semiconductor common stock at Fiscal Year end, and the exercise price.
    
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
 
    National Semiconductor adopted the National Semiconductor Corporation
Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan") shortly before consummation of the
Transactions. Under the Plan, Kirk P. Pond, Joseph R. Martin and certain other
Management Investors have elected to defer receipt of amounts that otherwise
would have become payable under National Semiconductor's Key Employee Incentive
Plan, Discrete Retention Bonus Plan, Discrete Performance Incentive
Plan--Executive Level and/or letter agreements with National Semiconductor
concerning certain payments relating to the Transactions.
 
    Upon consummation of the Transactions, Fairchild Holdings assumed the Plan
and all liabilities with respect to payments due thereunder, and the Plan
participants released National Semiconductor from those liabilities. The Plan is
administered by a committee appointed by Fairchild Holdings' Board of Directors.
 
    Amounts a Plan participant defers pursuant to the Plan will be credited to
an account for that participant on the books of Fairchild Holdings and will be
credited with earnings based on the employee's election. Each Plan participant
has elected that specified portions of the earnings on his deferrals will be
measured based on the performance of Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings
Common Stock, and that a portion of the earnings on his deferrals will be
measured based on short-term U.S. Treasury obligations.
 
    Amounts credited to a Plan participant's account also will be paid based on
the participant's election. Each participant has elected that the portion of his
account on which earnings are measured based on shares of Holdings stock will be
paid when such shares, if actually held, would be redeemed, automatically or
upon request, by Fairchild Holdings, to the extent that all restrictions on the
transfer of such shares have lapsed. Generally, all payments under the Plan will
be made in cash. Payments will be made in all events (1) upon liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, (2) upon sale of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
equity interests in the Company, consolidation or merger of the Company with or
into another entity, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets; (3) to the participant's beneficiary upon his death; and (4) upon the
mandatory redemption of Holdings Preferred Stock. Payments pursuant to items (2)
through (4) of the portion of any account the earnings on which are measured
based on the performance of Fairchild Holdings stock will only be made, however,
to the extent that shares of such stock, if actually held, would be redeemed at
that time upon request. Payment to a participant may be accelerated if the
participant suffers an unforeseeable financial emergency or severe hardship.
 
    Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Company established a grantor
trust (a so-called "rabbi trust") (the "Trust") to which National Semiconductor
and the Company together contributed cash in an amount equal to the aggregate
amount of deferrals under the Plan as of the closing date of the Transactions.
The trust agreement establishing the Trust provides that such amount, when
contributed, will be invested in specified amounts of Holdings Preferred Stock
and Holdings Common Stock. The Trust will be a party to the Stockholders'
Agreement and will be treated as a Management Investor.
 
    National Semiconductor also entered into a Retention Agreement dated July
1996 with Kirk P. Pond, which assigned to Mr. Pond full management
responsibility for National Semiconductor's logic and memory product lines
including the manufacturing operations related thereto. Compensation for this
assignment was agreed to be Mr. Pond's salary at the rate of $418,000 per annum,
a stock option for 100,000 shares of common stock of National Semiconductor,
vesting of which would be accelerated concurrently with the termination of Mr.
Pond's employment if Mr. Pond's employment were to be terminated at the end of
his assignment, an incentive reflecting returns to National Semiconductor of the
businesses run by Mr. Pond, and an incentive based on the value received by
National Semiconductor upon any sale or other disposal of the businesses. In
addition, National Semiconductor agreed to provide Mr. Pond benefits upon
termination of employment by National Semiconductor as follows: payment of
salary and benefits for twelve months, payment of an incentive at 70% of base
salary, crediting of one additional year's service towards certain payments
under the Performance Award Plan and payment of
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
vacation accrued through the date salary ends. The other four executive officers
of the Company named above entered into arrangements with National Semiconductor
providing various benefits in connection with the sale or disposal of the
businesses. The executive officers have no further obligations under these
arrangements.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
    Concurrent with the consummation of the Transactions, the Company, Fairchild
Holdings and Sterling entered into an employment agreement with each of Kirk P.
Pond and Joseph R. Martin (each an "Executive"). Mr. Pond is employed as
Chairman of the Boards of Directors and as Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and Fairchild Holdings. Mr. Martin is employed as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, and serves as a member of the Boards of
Directors, of the Company and Fairchild Holdings. The respective agreements
provide for an annual base salary of $450,000 for Mr. Pond and $250,000 for Mr.
Martin, subject in each case to increases at the discretion of the Board of
Directors and to annual performance bonuses in accordance with the FSC
Semiconductor Corporation 1997 Executive Officer Incentive Plan. Each agreement
also provides for the Executive to receive standard Company benefits. The term
of each agreement is three years subject to automatic renewal for up to two
consecutive one-year terms unless, in each case, either the Company or the
Executive gives prior notice of non-renewal. Under each agreement, either the
Executive or the Company may terminate the agreement with or without cause. If
terminated by the Company without cause or by the Executive with cause, each
agreement requires the Company to pay the Executive monthly severance payments
(approximately equal to his salary at the time of termination plus an amount
equal to incentive awards payable in the fiscal year prior to termination) until
the end of the term of the agreement or for 24 months if longer. Each Executive
is subject to a non-competition covenant during the term of his agreement and
for a period of at least 24 months following termination or expiration of the
agreement.
 
    The Company may enter into employment agreements with other executive
officers of the Company.
 
PERSONAL SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN
 
    Fairchild Holdings and the Company have adopted a Personal Savings and
Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan") for all eligible employees who are not
foreign nationals or contract employees. The Retirement Plan includes a cash or
deferred arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and
matching contributions under Section 401(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under
the 401(k) plan, participants may elect to defer from 1% to 15% of their
compensation on an after-tax or before-tax basis, directing the investment of
these elective deferrals among several mutual funds. The Company will make
quarterly matching contributions equal to 50% of the first 6% of an employee's
before-tax elective deferral contributions for that period. Both elective
deferrals and matching contributions under the 401(k) plan will be fully vested
at all times.
 
FAIRCHILD BENEFIT RESTORATION PLAN
 
    Fairchild Holdings and the Company have adopted the Fairchild Benefit
Restoration Plan. Under the Plan, certain employees of the Company are eligible
(i) to defer on a before-tax basis amounts over and above those they are
permitted by law to defer under the Company's Retirement Plan and (ii) to
receive matching contributions from the Company equal to the difference between
matching contributions received under the Retirement Plan and the matching
contributions they would have received under the Retirement Plan but for
statutory limits applicable to such contributions. Deferral and matching
contributions are credited to accounts established and maintained by the
Company. Interest at a rate equal to a commonly reported rate for long-term
A-rated corporate bonds is credited to participants' accounts at such times as
determined by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the
Plan. The Plan is an unfunded plan of deferred compensation, and amounts payable
thereunder are paid out of general
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
corporate assets of the Company and are subject to the claims of the general
creditors of the Company and Fairchild Holdings.
 
FAIRCHILD INCENTIVE PROGRAM
 
    Fairchild Holdings and the Company have adopted the Fairchild Incentive
Program. Under the Program, all regular full- and part-time employees of the
Company (with certain limited exceptions) are eligible to receive annual or
semiannual incentive awards from the Company. The amount of each payment is
based on a given employee's "Target Award." As the Program is currently
formulated, the Target Award is 8% of annual compensation for non-exempt
employees, from 8% to 15% (depending on grade level) of annual compensation for
exempt employees, and up to 35% (depending on grade level) of annual
compensation for certain management-level employees. Payment awards range from
0% to 200% of the Target Award, depending on whether the Company achieves
certain pre-established earnings goals. Certain participants in the Program are
eligible to defer awards, and to the extent that the deferral option applies
only to certain Program participants, it constitutes a separate unfunded plan
known as the Fairchild Select Employee Incentive Deferral Plan (the "Deferral
Plan"). For participants who elect deferral, the Company will establish and
maintain book-entry accounts to which the Company shall credit deferred payments
and interest equal to a commonly reported rate for long-term A-rated corporate
bonds. Deferred amounts and accrued interest are paid to participants upon
termination or on a date pre-selected by the participant according to the terms
of the Plan. The Compensation Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of
Fairchild Holdings will administer the Program and reserves the right, among
other things, not to make award payments, and to modify or amend the Program.
The Deferral Plan is an unfunded plan of deferred compensation, and benefits
payable thereunder are paid out of general corporate assets of the Company and
are subject to the claims of the general creditors of the Company and Fairchild
Holdings.
 
FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION 1997 EXECUTIVE OFFICER INCENTIVE PLAN
 
    Fairchild Holdings has adopted the FSC Semiconductor Corporation 1997
Executive Officer Incentive Plan. Under the Plan, certain executive officers of
the Company may be eligible to receive annual incentive awards, based on a
"Target Award" which ranges from 40% to 70% of an officer's base annual
compensation. Actual award payments range from 0% to 200% of the Target Award
depending on the extent to which the Company achieves or surpasses certain
pre-established earnings goals. Participants may elect to defer all or any
portion of an award payment. For participants who elect deferral, the Company
will establish and maintain book-entry accounts, and credit each account
annually with deferred payments as well as interest at a rate equal to a
commonly reported rate for long-term A-rated corporate bonds. Deferrals and
accrued interest thereon are paid to participants upon termination or on a date
pre-selected by the participant according to the terms of the Plan. Eligibility
for Plan participation, performance goals and other terms of the Plan are
determined by a committee comprised of two or more directors of the Company who
are outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code. To the extent of any deferrals, the Plan is an unfunded plan of
deferred compensation, and benefits payable thereunder are paid out of general
corporate assets of the Company and are subject to the claims of the general
creditors of the Company and Fairchild Holdings.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
                           OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fairchild Holdings. The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the security
ownership of certain beneficial owners and management.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER AND PERCENT OF SHARES
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
                                                    HOLDINGS             HOLDINGS CLASS A         HOLDINGS CLASS B
                                                PREFERRED STOCK              STOCK (1)                STOCK (2)
                                            ------------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------
 
<CAPTION>
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                      NUMBER       PERCENT      NUMBER      PERCENT      NUMBER      PERCENT
- ------------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Sterling Holding Company, LLC
  c/o Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
  333 Western Avenue
  South Portland, Maine 04106.............      53,113         75.9%   3,553,000        49.4%   7,163,880        85.2%
National Semiconductor Corporation
  2900 Semiconductor Drive
  Santa Clara, California 95052(3)........      11,667         16.7%   1,095,000        15.2%   1,245,000        14.8%
Kirk P. Pond
  c/o Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
  333 Western Avenue
  South Portland, Maine 04106.............      --           --          793,268        11.0%      --          --
Joseph R. Martin
  c/o Fairchild Semicondutor Corporation
  333 Western Avenue
  South Portland, Maine 04106.............      --           --          396,634         5.5%      --          --
H.M. Payson & Co., Trustee
  of the Fairchild NSC Deferred
  Compensation Plan Trust
  P.O. Box 31
  Portland, ME 04112......................       4,582          6.5%
Jerry M. Baker............................      --           --          161,764         2.2%      --          --
W. Wayne Carlson..........................      --           --          161,764         2.2%      --          --
Darrell Mayeux............................      --           --          161,764         2.2%      --          --
All directors and executive officers as a
  group (12 persons) (4)(5)...............         332          0.5%   1,836,958        25.5%      --          --
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Does not include shares of Holdings Class A Stock issuable upon conversion
    of Holdings Class B Stock.
 
(2) Does not include shares of Holdings Class B Stock issuable upon conversion
    of Holdings Class A Stock.
 
   
(3) Brian L. Halla, who is a director of the Company and Fairchild Holdings, is
    affiliated with National Semiconductor in the capacities described under
    "Management--Directors and Executive Officers." In those capacities he may
    be deemed to beneficially own the shares held of record by National
    Semiconductor. Mr. Halla disclaims ownership of all such shares.
    
 
   
(4) Certain of the Company's employees are expected to participate in the FSC
    Semiconductor Corporation Stock Option Plan pursuant to which they will be
    offered the opportunity to acquire Holdings Class A Stock which would equal
    in the aggregate up to an additional 5% of the Holdings Common Stock
    outstanding. See "--FSC Semiconductor Corporation Stock Option Plan." The
    table does not include shares or options that may be acquired by such
    individuals pursuant to such Plan.
    
 
   
(5) Does not include shares held for the benefit of executive officers by H.M.
    Payson & Co., Trustee of the Fairchild NSC Deferred Compensation Plan Trust.
    Under the terms of that Trust, the executive officers do not beneficially
    own the shares held for their benefit within the meaning of the Securities
    Act.
    
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
HOLDINGS PREFERRED STOCK
 
   
    The Fairchild Holdings Certificate of Incorporation provides that Fairchild
Holdings may issue 70,000 shares of Holdings Preferred Stock, all of which are
designated as 12% Series A Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock. Holdings
Preferred Stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share and is entitled to annual
dividends when, as and if declared, which dividends will be cumulative, whether
or not earned or declared, and will accrue at a rate of 12%, compounding
annually. The vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Holdings
Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, is required to (i) create,
authorize or issue any other class or series of stock entitled to a preference
prior to the Holdings Preferred Stock upon any dividend or distribution or any
liquidation, distribution of assets, dissolution or winding up of Fairchild
Holdings, or increase the authorized amount of any such other class or series,
or (ii) amend Fairchild Holdings' Certificate of Incorporation if such amendment
would adversely affect the relative rights and preferences of the holders of the
Holdings Preferred Stock. Except as described in the immediately preceding
sentence or as otherwise required by law, the Holdings Preferred Stock is not
entitled to vote. Fairchild Holdings may not pay any dividend upon (except for a
dividend payable in Junior Stock, as defined below), or redeem or otherwise
acquire shares of, capital stock junior to the Holdings Preferred Stock
(including the Holdings Common Stock) ("Junior Stock") unless all cumulative
dividends on the Holdings Preferred Stock have been paid in full. Upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Fairchild Holdings, holders of
Holdings Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of the legally
available assets of Fairchild Holdings, before any amount shall be paid to
holders of Junior Stock, an amount equal to $1,000 per share of Holdings
Preferred Stock, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of final
distribution. If such available assets are insufficient to pay the holders of
the outstanding shares of Holdings Preferred Stock in full, such assets, or the
proceeds thereof, will be distributed ratably among such holders. The Holdings
Preferred Stock will not be mandatorily redeemable prior to the maturity of the
Holdings PIK Note, which will be one year after the maturity of the Notes.
Fairchild Holdings may optionally redeem, in whole or in part, the Holdings
Preferred Stock at any time at a price per share of $1,000, plus accrued and
unpaid dividends to the date of redemption. At the option of Fairchild Holdings,
the Holdings Preferred Stock may be exchanged for junior subordinated debentures
of Fairchild Holdings. The face value of such junior subordinated debentures
shall be $1,000 per share. Their maturity date will be the same as the mandatory
redemption date of the Holdings Preferred Stock and they shall bear interest at
a rate equal to the lesser of 12% and the maximum interest rate permitted to be
deducted as accrued under the relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986.
    
 
HOLDINGS COMMON STOCK
 
   
    The Certificate of Incorporation of Fairchild Holdings provides that
Fairchild Holdings may issue 60,000,000 shares of Holdings Common Stock, divided
into two classes consisting of 30,000,000 shares of Holdings Class A Stock and
30,000,000 shares of Holdings Class B Stock. The holders of Holdings Class A
Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters
submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Except as required by law, the holders
of Holdings Class B Stock have no voting rights. Under the Certificate of
Incorporation of Fairchild Holdings, a holder of either class of Holdings Common
Stock may convert any or all of his shares into an equal number of shares of the
other class of Holdings Common Stock; PROVIDED that in the case of a conversion
from Holdings Class B Stock, which is nonvoting, into Holdings Class A Stock,
which is voting, such conversion would be permitted only to the extent that the
holder of shares to be converted would be permitted under applicable law to hold
the total number of shares of Holdings Class A Stock which would be held after
giving effect to the conversion.
    
 
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
 
    In connection with the Transactions, the stockholders of Fairchild Holdings
entered into a Securities Purchase and Holders Agreement (the "Stockholders'
Agreement") containing certain agreements among
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
such stockholders with respect to the capital stock and corporate governance of
Fairchild Holdings and the Company. The following is a summary description of
the principal terms of the Stockholders' Agreement.
 
   
    Under the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement, each of the stockholders of
Fairchild Holdings (representing 100% of the ownership of Holdings Common Stock
and Holdings Preferred Stock) agree to take all action necessary (including
voting the Holdings Class A Stock owned by him, her or it, calling special
meetings and executing and delivering written consents) to ensure that the
Boards of Directors of Fairchild Holdings and the Company will be composed at
all times of seven directors as follows: Mr. Pond (so long as he continues to
own shares of Holdings Common Stock or Holdings Preferred Stock); Mr. Martin (so
long as he continues to own shares of Holdings Common Stock or Holdings
Preferred Stock); the President of the Company if either of Messrs. Pond or
Martin is no longer serving on the Board of Directors; if National Semiconductor
so chooses, so long as National Semiconductor continues to own shares of
Holdings Common Stock or Holdings Preferred Stock, one individual designated by
National Semiconductor, PROVIDED that such person shall initially be either Mr.
Halla or Donald Macleod (until the earlier of the second anniversary of the date
of consummation of the Transactions or the date upon which such person ceases to
be an executive officer of National Semiconductor, and thereafter shall be an
executive officer of National Semiconductor reasonably acceptable to the
remaining directors); two individuals designated by Sterling; and the remaining
directors shall be such independent directors as shall be designated by Sterling
(to the extent permitted by applicable law as determined by Sterling in its sole
discretion), subject to the right of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
to veto the election of any such independent director, PROVIDED that in the
event that Sterling concludes that it is unable to designate, or elects not to
designate for any reason, one or more of such independent directors or the
election of any such independent director is not approved by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Holdings Class A Stock, such
directorship(s) shall not be filled by the remaining members of the Board of
Directors but shall remain vacant until the election of a director designated by
Sterling to fill such vacancy in accordance with the Stockholders' Agreement.
    
 
    The Stockholders' Agreement contains certain provisions which, with certain
exceptions, restrict the ability of the stockholders to transfer any Holdings
Common Stock or Holdings Preferred Stock except pursuant to the terms of the
Stockholders' Agreement. If holders of more than 50% of the Holdings Common
Stock approve the sale of Fairchild Holdings or the Company (an "Approved
Sale"), each stockholder has agreed to consent to such sale and, if such sale
includes the sale of stock, each stockholder has agreed to sell all of such
stockholder's Holdings Common Stock and Holdings Preferred Stock on the terms
and conditions approved by holders of a majority of the Holdings Common Stock
then outstanding. In the event Fairchild Holdings proposes to issue and sell
(other than in a public offering pursuant to a registration statement) any
shares of Holdings Common Stock or any securities containing options or rights
to acquire any shares of Holdings Common Stock or any securities convertible
into Holdings Common Stock to Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd., Sterling or any of
their respective affiliates, Fairchild Holdings must first offer to each of the
other shareholders a PRO RATA portion of such shares. Such preemptive rights
will not be applicable to the issuance of shares of Holdings Common Stock upon
the conversion of shares of one class of Holdings Common Stock into shares of
the other class. Subject to certain limitations neither Sterling nor National
Semiconductor, nor any of their respective affiliates, may sell any of their
shares of Holdings Preferred Stock or Holdings Common Stock without offering the
other stockholders a PRO RATA opportunity to participate in such sale. In
addition, the Stockholders' Agreement restricts certain transactions between
Fairchild Holdings and the Company, on the one hand, and owners of 15% or more
of the Holdings Common Stock and their affiliates, on the other hand.
 
    The Stockholders' Agreement also provides for certain additional
restrictions on transfer of shares by Management Investors, including the right
of Fairchild Holdings to repurchase certain shares upon termination of such
stockholder's employment prior to 2002, at a formula price, and the grant of a
right of first refusal in favor of Holdings in the event a Management Investor
elects to transfer shares of Holdings Common Stock.
 
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<PAGE>
FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    Under the FSC Semiconductor Corporation Stock Option Plan, certain employees
of the Company will be offered the opportunity to purchase Holdings Class A
Stock. The employees will have the opportunity to acquire or be granted options
to acquire an aggregate of up to 5% of Holdings Common Stock outstanding on a
fully-diluted basis. In addition, upon the purchase of Holdings Class A Stock or
the acquisition of options to purchase such stock, the employees become subject
to the terms and conditions of the Stockholders' Agreement. See "--Stockholders'
Agreement."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
   
    In connection with their entry into the Stockholders' Agreement, Fairchild
Holdings, Sterling, the Management Investors, National Semiconductor and certain
other stockholders of Fairchild Holdings entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement (as used in this paragraph only, the "Registration Rights Agreement").
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, upon the written request of
Sterling or National Semiconductor, Fairchild Holdings will prepare and file a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning
the distribution of all or part of the shares held by Sterling or National
Semiconductor and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to
become effective. If at any time Fairchild Holdings files a registration
statement for the Holdings Common Stock pursuant to a request by Sterling,
National Semiconductor or otherwise (other than a registration statement on Form
S-8, Form S-4 or any similar form, a registration statement filed in connection
with a share exchange or an offering solely to Holdings' employees or existing
stockholders, or a registration statement registering a unit offering (as
defined)) (a "Qualifying Offering"), Fairchild Holdings will use its best
efforts to allow the other parties to the Registration Rights Agreement to have
their shares of Holdings Common Stock (or a portion of their shares under
certain circumstances) included in such offering of Holdings Common Stock.
Registration expenses of the selling stockholders (other than underwriting fees,
brokerage fees and transfer taxes applicable to the shares sold by such
stockholders or in certain cases the fees and expenses of any accountants or
other representatives retained by a selling stockholder) will be paid by
Fairchild Holdings.
    
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
   
    The following is a summary of certain indebtedness of the Company and
Fairchild Holdings which is outstanding. To the extent such summary contains
descriptions of the Senior Credit Facilities and other loan documents, such
descriptions discuss the material provisions. However, the Summary does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
documents, which are filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and are available upon request
from the Company. See "Available Information."
    
 
SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES
 
    In connection with the Transactions, the Company entered into the Senior
Credit Facilities with a syndicate of financial institutions for which Bankers
Trust Company is acting as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"),
Credit Suisse First Boston is acting as syndication agent and Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce is acting as documentation agent. The Senior Credit Facilities
provide up to a maximum aggregate amount of $195.0 million of financing. The
following is a summary of the material terms and conditions of the Senior Credit
Facilities and is subject to the detailed provisions of the credit agreement
(the "Credit Agreement") and various related documents which were entered into
in connection with the Senior Credit Facilities.
 
    GENERAL.  The Senior Credit Facilities consist of (i) the Senior Term
Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $120.0 million, composed of two
tranches: $75.0 million of Tranche A Term Loans ("Tranche A
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
Term Loans") and $45.0 million of Tranche B Term Loans ("Tranche B Term Loans"
and, together with the Tranche A Term Loans, the "Term Loans"); and (ii) the
$75.0 million Revolving Credit Facility.
 
    The proceeds of the Senior Term Facility, which were obtained on the date of
consummation of the Transactions, were used to finance the Transactions in part
and to pay related transaction costs. Proceeds of the Revolving Credit Facility
can be used to fund the Company's general corporate and working capital
requirements. The Revolving Credit Facility may be used in part for the issuance
of standby and trade letters of credit ("Letters of Credit") to support the
obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
    INTEREST RATES; FEES.  The Senior Credit Facilities may be maintained from
time to time, at the Company's option, as (i) Base Rate Loans which bear
interest at the Base Rate (defined in the Credit Agreement as the higher of (x)
1/2 of 1% in excess of the Federal Reserve reported certificate of deposit rate
and (y) the Administrative Agent's announced prime lending rate, each as in
effect from time to time) plus the "Applicable Margin" (as defined below) or
(ii) Eurodollar Loans bearing interest at the Eurodollar Rate (adjusted for
maximum reserves) as determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable
interest period plus the Applicable Margin. No Eurodollar Loans may be incurred
prior to the earlier of the 90th day following the date of consummation of the
Transactions and the date on which the primary syndication is completed.
"Applicable Margin" means a per annum rate equal to (x) in the case of Tranche A
Term Loans and the Revolving Credit Facility, a floating rate that will vary
depending on the Company's consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio and EBITDA to
interest expense ratio (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) and which rate
shall range (A) from 0.0% to 1.5% for Base Rate Loans and (B) from 1.0% to 2.5%
for Eurodollar Loans and (y) in the case of Tranche B Term Loans (A) maintained
as Base Rate Loans, 2.0%, and (B) maintained as Eurodollar Loans, 3.0%.
 
    Eurodollar Loans may have 1, 2, 3 and 6 month interest periods. Interest on
Eurodollar Loans will be payable in arrears at the end of the applicable
interest period and every three months where the applicable period exceeds three
months. Interest on Base Rate Loans will be payable quarterly in arrears on the
last business day of each quarter.
 
    Overdue amounts shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater
of (i) the rate which is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise applicable to Base
Rate Loans and (ii) the rate which is 2% in excess of the rate then borne by the
applicable borrowings. Default interest is payable on demand.
 
    The Company will pay a commitment fee calculated at a rate of 0.5% per annum
of the unutilized commitments of each lender under the Revolving Credit
Facility. This fee accrues from the date of consummation of the Transactions to
and including the date of termination of the Senior Credit Facilities, and will
be payable quarterly in arrears.
 
    The Company will pay a letter of credit fee equal to the Applicable Margin
then in effect for revolving loans maintained as Eurodollar Loans, and a facing
fee of 1/4 of 1% per annum, in each case calculated on the aggregate stated
amount of each Letter of Credit for its stated duration. Such fees are payable
in arrears at the end of each quarter. In addition, the Company will pay
customary administrative charges in connection with the issuance and amendment
of, and draws under, Letters of Credit.
 
    AMORTIZATION; PREPAYMENTS.  The Tranche A Term Loans are scheduled to mature
on the fifth anniversary of the date of consummation of the Transactions and
will be subject to quarterly amortization payments. The first such payment will
be due three months after the date of consummation of the Transactions. The
Tranche B Term Loans are scheduled to mature on the sixth anniversary of the
date of consummation of the Transactions. Amortization payments equal to
$1,000,000 will be required for each of the five successive one-year periods
following the date of consummation of the Transactions, payable quarterly in
arrears. The remaining aggregate principal amount of Tranche B Term Loans shall
be subject to four equal quarterly amortization payments, with the first such
payment to be made five years and three months after the date of consummation of
the Transactions. The Revolving Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on the
fifth anniversary of the date of consummation of the Transactions.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
    Voluntary prepayments may be made in whole or in part without premium or
penalty (other than the payment of breakage costs for Eurodollar Loans prepaid
on a day other than the last day of an interest period). Such payments on the
Senior Term Facility will be applied to reduce the scheduled amortizations of
all then-outstanding Term Loans on a PRO RATA basis across the respective
maturities thereof.
 
    The Company will be required to make mandatory repayments of the Senior Term
Facility from (i) 100% (or, in the case of an initial public offering of the
common stock of Fairchild Holdings, 50% of that portion of net proceeds thereof
in excess of $50 million) of the net cash proceeds from certain issuances of
debt or equity by Fairchild Holdings or any of its direct or indirect
subsidiaries (other than pursuant to (a) the Transactions or (b) any takeout of
bridge securities issued as part of the Transactions (to the extent the proceeds
of the takeout financing are used to retire such bridge financing with permanent
replacement securities)), (ii) 100% of the net sale proceeds from certain asset
sales by Fairchild Holdings or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries
subject to such baskets as may be agreed upon, (iii) 75% of annual excess cash
flow of the Company (provided that once Term Loans in the aggregate principal
amount of $25 million have been repaid solely pursuant to this clause (iii), the
percentage set forth in this clause (iii) shall be reduced to 50%) and (iv) 100%
of certain insurance proceeds. Applications of payments to the term loans shall
apply to reduce the scheduled amortizations of all then outstanding Term Loans
on a PRO RATA basis across the respective maturities thereof. In addition,
revolving loans shall be required to be prepaid (and letters of credit cash
collateralized) if at any time the aggregate principal amount thereof exceeds
the total Revolving Credit Facility commitments, with such prepayment (and/or
cash collateralization) to be in an amount equal to such excess.
 
    GUARANTEES AND COLLATERAL.  Fairchild Holdings was required and each
domestic direct and indirect subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the
"Guarantors") will be required to guarantee all of the amounts owing under the
Senior Credit Facilities. All amounts owing under the Senior Credit Facilities
(including amounts owed under such guarantees) are secured by a first priority
(subject to certain permitted liens and encumbrances) perfected security
interest in all stock of domestic subsidiaries, not more than 65% of the stock
of the Foreign Subsidiaries that are wholly owned by the Company and the
promissory notes owned by the Company and the Guarantors, and in all or
substantially all other tangible and intangible assets owned by the Company and
each Guarantor.
 
    COVENANTS.  The obligations of the lenders under the Senior Credit
Facilities are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent
customary in acquisition credit facilities or otherwise appropriate under the
circumstances. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are subject to certain
affirmative and negative covenants contained in the Senior Credit Facilities,
including without limitation covenants that restrict, subject to specified
exceptions, (i) the incurrence of additional indebtedness and other obligations
and the granting of additional liens, (ii) mergers, acquisitions, investments
and acquisitions and dispositions of assets, (iii) the incurrence of capitalized
lease obligations, (iv) dividends, (v) prepayment or repurchase of other
indebtedness and amendments to certain agreements governing indebtedness,
including the Indenture and the Notes, (vi) engaging in transactions with
affiliates and formation of subsidiaries, (vii) capital expenditures, (viii) the
use of proceeds and (ix) changes of lines of business. There are also covenants
relating to compliance with ERISA and environmental and other laws, payment of
taxes, maintenance of corporate existence and rights, maintenance of insurance
and interest rate protection, and financial reporting. Certain of these
covenants are more restrictive than those set forth in the Indenture. In
addition, the Senior Credit Facilities require the Company to maintain
compliance with certain specified financial covenants, including covenants
relating to minimum interest coverage, minimum fixed charge coverage, and
maximum leverage.
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The Senior Credit Facilities also include events of
default that are typical for these types of credit facilities and appropriate in
the context at the proposed transaction, including, without limitation, a
default in the event of a change of control of Fairchild Holdings or the
Company. The occurrence of any of such events of default could result in
acceleration of the Company's and the
 
                                       76
<PAGE>
Guarantors' obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities and foreclosure on
the collateral securing such obligations, which could have material adverse
results to holders of the Notes.
 
SUBSIDIARY CREDIT FACILITIES
 
    Certain of the Company's subsidiaries may incur certain indebtedness. As an
obligation of a subsidiary of the Company, such indebtedness would be
effectively senior, as to the assets of such subsidiary, to the obligations of
the Company under the Notes. It is expected that the debt instruments evidencing
such indebtedness will contain customary terms and conditions, covenants and
events of default.
 
HOLDINGS PIK NOTE
 
    In connection with the Transactions, Fairchild Holdings issued to National
Semiconductor the Holdings PIK Note in the original principal amount of $77.0
million. The Holdings PIK Note will mature in 2008 and bears interest at an
annual rate equal to 11.74%. To the extent any Fairchild Holdings Senior
Debt (as defined) prohibits Fairchild Holdings from paying interest due on the
Holdings PIK Note in cash, such interest shall be paid by adding such interest
to the then outstanding principal amount of the Holdings PIK Note. Such amount
shall accrue interest as a portion of the principal amount of the Holdings PIK
Note from the applicable interest payment date. Fairchild Holdings may redeem
the Holdings PIK Note at any time in whole or in part at 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In
addition, upon a "change in control" Fairchild Holdings will be required to
redeem the Holdings PIK Note at the same price subject to certain conditions.
The Holdings PIK Note contains certain covenants in favor of the holder (the
"Holder") including, but not limited to: (i) restrictions on the payment by
Fairchild Holdings of dividends and the purchase, redemption or prepayment by
Fairchild Holdings and its subsidiaries of its capital stock or indebtedness
which is, by its terms or by operation of law, ranks PARI PASSU or junior in
right of payment to the Holdings PIK Note and (ii) restrictions on subsidiaries
entering into agreements (other than with respect to the Holdings PIK Note)
restricting their ability to pay dividends or make certain other distributions
to Fairchild Holdings or any subsidiary of Holdings. The Holdings PIK Note is
and will be subordinated to Fairchild Holdings' obligations (including
guarantees, if any, from time to time) under the Senior Credit Facilities, the
Notes and certain other indebtedness of Fairchild Holdings, other than
indebtedness which by its terms is PARI PASSU or junior in right of payment to
the Holdings PIK Note (the "Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt"). Until such
Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt is paid in full, Fairchild Holdings may not make
any payment of principal or interest to the Holdings PIK Note Holder: (i) if
such Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt has not been paid in full, following the
maturity of any Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt (either by lapse, acceleration or
otherwise); (ii) following a payment default on Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt
or (iii) following a nonpayment default on Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt (until
(a) such non-payment default shall have been cured or waived, (b) certain events
of default under the Holdings PIK Note shall have occurred, (c) the Senior
Credit Facilities or Notes shall have become due and payable upon acceleration
or (d) 180 days shall have elapsed after notice of such non-payment default has
been received by Fairchild Holdings). Except for certain events of bankruptcy,
the consent of Holdings PIK Note Holders holding 25% or more of the principal
amount of the Holdings PIK Note is required to accelerate the payment of
principal upon an event of default. If any Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt is
outstanding at the time of an acceleration of the Holdings PIK Note, the
Holdings PIK Note will become due and payable upon the earlier of acceleration
of such Fairchild Holdings Senior Debt or thirty days following notice of
acceleration of the Holdings PIK Note being given to the agent for Fairchild
Holdings Senior Debt holders. An event of default under the Holdings PIK Note
will include, among other things, failure to pay principal or interest when due,
failure to comply with the material terms of the Holdings PIK Note following
notice, failure to pay certain material indebtedness of Fairchild Holdings and
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency.
 
                                       77
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
    The Existing Notes were issued under an Indenture dated as of March 11, 1997
(the "Indenture"), between the Company, Fairchild Holdings, as Guarantor, and
United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The terms
of the Indenture apply to the Existing Notes and to the Exchange Notes to be
issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the Exchange Offer (all such Notes being
referred to herein collectively as the "Notes"). The terms of the Notes include
those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference
to the Trust Indenture Act.
 
   
    The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Indenture and the
Notes, a copy of which Indenture and the form of Notes is filed with the
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part, and which is available upon request from the Company. See "Available
Information." The following summary discusses the material provisions of the
Indenture. However, it does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture,
including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part
thereof by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. Capitalized terms used
herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the section
"--Certain Definitions."
    
 
    The Notes may be exchanged or transferred at the office or agency of the
Company which, unless otherwise provided by the Company, will be the offices of
the Trustee. The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. No
service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of
Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.
 
TERMS OF THE NOTES
 
    The Notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the Company,
limited to $300.0 million aggregate principal amount, and will mature on March
15, 2007. The Notes will bear interest at the rate per annum shown on the cover
page hereof from March 11, 1997, or from the most recent date to which interest
has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually to Holders of record at the
close of business on the March 1 or September 1 immediately preceding the
interest payment date on and of each year, commencing September 15, 1997. The
Company will pay interest on overdue principal at 1% per annum in excess of such
rate, and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at such
higher rate to the extent lawful.
 
    The interest rate on the Notes is subject to increase in certain
circumstances if the Company does not file a registration statement relating to
the Registered Exchange Offer or if the registration statement is not declared
effective on a timely basis or if certain other conditions are not satisfied,
all as further described under "--Registered Exchange Offer; Registration
Rights."
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
    Except as set forth in the following paragraph, the Notes will not be
redeemable at the option of the Company prior to March 15, 2002. Thereafter, the
Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any
time or from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior
notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at the
following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus
accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the redemption date (subject to the
right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due
on
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing on March 15 of the years set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        REDEMPTION
PERIOD                     PRICE
- ----------------------  -----------
<S>                     <C>
2002..................     105.063%
2003..................     103.375
2004..................     101.688
2005 and thereafter...     100.000
</TABLE>
 
    In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to March 15, 2000, the
Company may redeem in the aggregate up to $105.0 million of the original
principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount)
of 110.0% plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the redemption date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that at least $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes must remain
outstanding after each such redemption.
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
    The Indenture requires the Company to provide for the retirement, by
redemption, of $150.0 million principal amount of the Notes on March 15, 2005
and $75.0 million principal amount of the Notes on March 15, 2006, in each case
at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the redemption date. Such redemptions
are calculated to retire approximately 75% of the principal amount of the Notes
prior to maturity. The Company may, at its option, receive credits against such
mandatory redemptions for the principal amount of Notes acquired or redeemed
(other than through this mandatory redemption provision) by the Company and
surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.
 
SELECTION
 
    In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption
will be made by the Trustee on a PRO RATA basis, by lot or by such other method
as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate,
although no Note of $1,000 in original principal amount or less will be redeemed
in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption
relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to
be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of
the original Note.
 
GUARANTIES
 
   
    The obligations of the Company pursuant to the Notes, including the
repurchase obligation resulting from a Change of Control, will be fully and
unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally by Fairchild Holdings and by
each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each Subsidiary Guaranty will be limited in
amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by
the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guaranty,
as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law
relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally. If a Subsidiary Guaranty were to be
rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness
(including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable
Subsidiary Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a
Subsidiary Guarantor's liability on its Subsidiary Guaranty could be reduced to
zero. See "Risk Factors--Subordinate Ranking of the Notes and Guaranty."
    
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
    Pursuant to the Indenture, Fairchild Holdings or a Subsidiary Guarantor may
consolidate with, merge with or into, or transfer all or substantially all its
assets to any other Person to the extent described below under "--Certain
Covenants--Merger and Consolidation"; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such other
Person is not the Company, Fairchild Holdings' obligations under the Fairchild
Holdings Guaranty or such Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations under its
Subsidiary Guaranty, as the case may be, must be expressly assumed by such other
Person. However, upon the sale or other disposition (including by way of
consolidation or merger) of a Subsidiary Guarantor or the sale or disposition of
all or substantially all the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case
other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) permitted by the
Indenture, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released and relieved from all its
obligations under its Subsidiary Guaranty.
 
RANKING
 
    The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes, the Fairchild Holdings Guaranty and
the Subsidiary Guaranties are senior subordinated obligations of the Company,
Fairchild Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be. The
payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on the Notes and the
payment of the Fairchild Holdings Guaranty and any Subsidiary Guaranty is
subordinate in right of payment, as set forth in the Indenture, to the prior
payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to Senior Indebtedness
of the Company, Fairchild Holdings or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as the
case may be, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred,
including the obligations of the Company, Fairchild Holdings and such Subsidiary
Guarantor under the Credit Agreement.
 
   
    As of May 25, 1997, (i) the Senior Indebtedness of the Company was
approximately $120.0 million, all of which was secured indebtedness under the
Credit Agreement and (ii) the Senior Indebtedness of Fairchild Holdings would
have been approximately $120.0 million, consisting of the Fairchild Holdings'
senior guaranty of the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement.
Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional
Indebtedness that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may incur, under
certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and,
in any case, such Indebtedness may be Senior Indebtedness. See "--Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Indebtedness."
    
 
    A substantial portion of the operations of the Company are conducted through
its subsidiaries. Claims of creditors of such subsidiaries, including trade
creditors, secured creditors and creditors holding indebtedness and guarantees
issued by such subsidiaries, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of
such subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and
earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of creditors of the Company,
including holders of the Notes, even if such obligations do not constitute
Senior Indebtedness. The Notes, the Fairchild Holdings Guaranty and each
Subsidiary Guaranty, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors
(including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders (if any) of subsidiaries
of the Company (other than the Subsidiary Guarantors). As of February 23, 1997,
after giving pro forma effect to the Transactions, the total liabilities of the
Company's subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary Guarantors) would have been
approximately $21.6 million, excluding distributor reserves. Although the
Indenture limits the incurrence of Indebtedness and preferred stock of certain
of the Company's subsidiaries, such limitation is subject to a number of
significant qualifications. Moreover, the Indenture does not impose any
limitation on the incurrence by such subsidiaries of liabilities that are not
considered Indebtedness or Preferred Stock under the Indenture. See "--Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Indebtedness."
 
   
    Only Indebtedness of the Company, Fairchild Holdings or a Subsidiary
Guarantor that is Senior Indebtedness will rank senior to the Notes, the
Fairchild Holdings Guaranty and the relevant Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance
with the provisions of the Indenture. The Notes, the Fairchild Holdings Guaranty
and each Subsidiary Guaranty will in all respects rank PARI PASSU with all other
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, Fairchild Holdings and the
relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, respectively. The Company has no outstanding
indebtedness to which the Notes are senior. The Company, Fairchild
    
 
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Holdings and each Subsidiary Guarantor has agreed in the Indenture that it will
not Incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness that is subordinate or
junior in ranking in right of payment to its Senior Indebtedness unless such
Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly subordinated in
right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. Unsecured Indebtedness is
not deemed to be subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because
it is unsecured.
 
    The Company may not pay (in cash, property or other assets) principal of,
premium (if any) or interest on, the Notes or make any deposit pursuant to the
provisions described under "--Defeasance" below and may not repurchase, redeem
or otherwise retire any Notes (collectively, "pay the Notes") if (i) any
Obligations with respect to Senior Indebtedness are not paid when due or (ii)
any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of such Senior
Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case,
the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been
rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash. However,
the Company may pay the Notes without regard to the foregoing if the Company and
the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the
Representative of the Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the
events set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence has
occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any default (other than a
default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the second preceding sentence) with
respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity
thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such
notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any
applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Notes for a period (a
"Payment Blockage Period") commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a
copy to the Company) of written notice (a "Blockage Notice") of such default
from the Representative of the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness
specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days
thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by
written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who
gave such Blockage Notice, (ii) because no defaults continue in existence which
would permit the acceleration of the maturity of any Designated Senior
Indebtedness at such time or (iii) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness
has been repaid in full in cash). Notwithstanding the provisions described in
the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions described in
the first sentence of this paragraph), unless the holders of such Designated
Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders have accelerated the
maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may resume payments
on the Notes after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. The Notes shall not
be subject to more than one Payment Blockage Period in any consecutive 360-day
period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior
Indebtedness during such period.
 
    Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company upon any
liquidation, dissolution, winding up, assignment for the benefit of creditors or
marshalling of assets of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its
property, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of all Obligations with
respect to such Senior Indebtedness (including all interest accruing subsequent
to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the
documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed
claim under applicable law) before the Noteholders are entitled to receive any
payment or distribution, and until all Obligations with respect to Senior
Indebtedness are paid in full in cash, any payment or distribution to which
Noteholders would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the
Indenture will be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their interests
may appear. If a distribution is made to Noteholders that, due to the
subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, such Noteholders
are required to hold it in trust for the holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay
it over to them as their interests may appear.
 
    If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the
Company or the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of Designated Senior
Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders of the acceleration.
 
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    The obligations of Fairchild Holdings under the Fairchild Holdings Guaranty
and of a Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty are senior
subordinated obligations. As such, the rights of Noteholders to receive payment
by Fairchild Holdings or by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Fairchild
Holdings Guaranty or a Subsidiary Guaranty will be subordinated in right of
payment to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of Fairchild Holdings or
such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be. The terms of the subordination
provisions described above with respect to the Company's obligations under the
Notes apply equally to Fairchild Holdings and a Subsidiary Guarantor and the
obligations of Fairchild Holdings and such Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Fairchild Holdings Guaranty or a Subsidiary Guaranty, as the case may be.
 
    By reason of the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture, in the
event of insolvency, creditors of the Company, Fairchild Holdings or a
Subsidiary Guarantor who are holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
Fairchild Holdings or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, may recover
more, ratably, than the Noteholders, and creditors of the Company who are not
holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior
Indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the Noteholders.
 
    The terms of the subordination provisions described above will not apply to
payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust
by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes
pursuant to the provisions described under "--Defeasance", if the foregoing
subordination provisions were not violated at the time the respective amounts
were deposited pursuant to such defeasance provisions.
 
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
 
    The Exchange Notes will be issued in the form of a Global Note except as
described below. The Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the
Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee. Except
as set forth below, the Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in
part, only to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary. Investors may
hold their beneficial interests in the Global Note directly through the
Depositary if they have an account with the Depositary or indirectly through
organizations which have accounts with the Depositary.
 
    Notes that are (i) originally issued to institutional "accredited investors"
(as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) that
are not qualified institutional buyers ("QIBs") or (ii) issued as described
below under "--Certificated Notes" will be issued in definitive form. Upon the
transfer of a Note in definitive form, such Note will, unless the Global Note
has previously been exchanged for Notes in definitive form, be exchanged for an
interest in the Global Note representing the principal amount of Notes being
transferred.
 
    The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: The Depositary is a
limited-purpose trust company and organized under the laws of the State of New
York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within
the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and "a clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The
Depositary was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts
with the Depositary ("participants") and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The
Depositary's participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may
include the Initial Purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. Access to the Depositary's book-entry system is
also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant,
whether directly or indirectly.
 
    Upon the issuance of the Global Note, the Depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amount of the Notes
represented by such Global Note to the accounts of
 
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participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the Initial
Purchasers of such Notes. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Note
will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through
participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be shown
on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants' interest)
and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the
Global Note other than participants). The laws of some jurisdictions may require
that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities
in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer or
pledge beneficial interests in the Global Note.
 
    So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder and
owner of the Global Note, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be,
will be considered the sole legal owner and holder of the related Notes for all
purposes of such Notes and the Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Note will not be entitled to have the Notes
represented by the Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or be
entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes in definitive form
and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any Notes under the
Global Note. The Company understands that under existing industry practice, in
the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the Global Note desires to take
any action that the Depositary, as the holder of the Global Note, is entitled to
take, the Depositary would authorize the participants to take such action, and
that the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such
participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of
beneficial owners owning through them.
 
    Payment of principal of and interest on Notes represented by the Global Note
registered in the name of and held by the Depositary or its nominee will be made
to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner
and holder of the Global Note.
 
    The Company expects that the Depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any
payment of principal of or interest on the Global Note, will credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Note as
shown on the records of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects
that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global
Note held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participants. The
Company will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Note for any Note or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any
other aspect of the relationship between the Depositary and its participants or
the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial
interests in the Global Note owning through such participants.
 
    Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for certificated Notes
in definitive form, the Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by
the Depositary to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary.
 
    Although the Depositary has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Note among participants of the
Depositary, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such
procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the
Trustee nor the Company will have any responsibility for the performance by the
Depositary or its participants or indirect participants of their respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
 
CERTIFICATED NOTES
 
    The Notes represented by the Global Note are exchangeable for certificated
Notes in definitive form of like tenor as such Notes in denominations of U.S.
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Note or
if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under
the Exchange Act,
 
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(ii) the Company in its discretion at any time determines not to have all of the
Notes represented by the Global Note or (iii) a default entitling the holders of
the Notes to accelerate the maturity thereof has occurred and is continuing. Any
Note that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence is exchangeable for
certificated Notes issuable in authorized denominations and registered in such
names as the Depositary shall direct. Subject to the foregoing, the Global Note
is not exchangeable, except for a Global Note of the same aggregate denomination
to be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee. In addition, such
certificates will bear the legend referred to under "Transfer Restrictions"
(unless the Company determines otherwise in accordance with applicable law)
subject, with respect to such Notes, to the provisions of such legend.
 
SAME-DAY PAYMENT
 
    The Indenture requires that payments in respect of Notes (including
principal, premium and interest) be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or, if no such
account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder's registered
address.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
    Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each a "Change of
Control"), each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company
repurchase such Holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date
of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record
date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date):
 
        (i) prior to the earlier to occur of (A) the first public offering of
    common stock of Fairchild Holdings or (B) the first public offering of
    common stock of the Company, the Permitted Holders cease to be the
    "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange
    Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the total
    voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, whether as a result of
    issuance of securities of Fairchild Holdings or the Company, any merger,
    consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of Fairchild Holdings or the
    Company, any direct or indirect transfer of securities by Fairchild Holdings
    or otherwise (for purposes of this clause (i) and clauses (ii) and (iv)
    below, the Permitted Holders shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting
    Stock of a Person (the "specified entity") held by any other Person (the
    "parent entity") so long as the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as so
    defined), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of the voting
    power of the Voting Stock of the parent entity); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
    notwithstanding the foregoing Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd. ("CVC") shall be
    deemed to beneficially own a majority of the voting power of the Voting
    Stock of Sterling (or any successor) so long as CVC, employees, officers and
    directors of CVC and corporations, partnerships and other entities at least
    a majority of the equity in which is held in the aggregate by CVC and its
    employees, officers and directors hold in the aggregate no less than a
    majority of the economic interests in Sterling (or such successor);
 
        (ii) after the earlier to occur of (A) the first public offering of
    common stock of Fairchild Holdings or (B) the first public offering of the
    common stock of the Company, any "person" (as such term is used in Sections
    13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted
    Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in clause (i) above,
    except that for purposes of this clause (ii) such person shall be deemed to
    have "beneficial ownership" of all shares that any such person has the right
    to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the
    passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total
    voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
    Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in clause (i) above),
    directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the total
    voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company than such other person and
    do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to
    elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors (for
    the purposes of this clause (ii), such other person shall be deemed to
    beneficially own any Voting
 
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    Stock of a specified entity held by a parent entity, if such other person is
    the beneficial owner (as defined in this clause (ii)), directly or
    indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such
    parent entity and the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in
    clause (i) above), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser
    percentage of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity and
    do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to
    elect or designate for election a majority of the board of directors of such
    parent entity);
 
       (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
    beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together with
    any new directors (a) whose election by such Board of Directors or whose
    nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a
    vote of a majority of the directors of the Company then still in office who
    were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
    nomination for election was previously so approved or (b) who were elected
    to the Board of Directors pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement) cease for
    any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then in
    office; or
 
        (iv) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
    Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale
    of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to another Person
    (other than a Person that is controlled by the Permitted Holders), if the
    securities of the Company that are outstanding immediately prior to such
    transaction and which represent 100% of the aggregate voting power of the
    Voting Stock of the Company are changed into or exchanged for cash,
    securities or property, unless pursuant to such transaction such securities
    are changed into or exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration,
    securities of the surviving Person or transferee that represent, immediately
    after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of
    the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or transferee.
 
    Within 30 days following any Change of Control (but subject to compliance
with the immediately succeeding paragraph), the Company shall mail a notice to
each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating: (1) that a Change of Control has
occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase
such Holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of purchase
(subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest on the relevant interest payment date); (2) the circumstances
and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control; (3) the repurchase date
(which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date
such notice is mailed); and (4) the instructions determined by the Company,
consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a Holder must follow in
order to have its Notes purchased.
 
    If the terms of the Credit Agreement prohibit the Company from making the
foregoing offer upon a Change of Control or from purchasing any Notes pursuant
thereto, prior to the mailing of the notice to Holders described in the
preceding paragraph, but in any event within 30 days following any Change of
Control, the Company covenants to (i) repay in full all indebtedness outstanding
under the Credit Agreement or offer to repay in full all such indebtedness and
repay the indebtedness of each lender who has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain
the requisite consent under the Credit Agreement to permit the purchase of the
Notes as described above. The Company must first comply with the covenant
described in the preceding sentence before it will be required to purchase Notes
in the event of a Change of Control; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company's
failure to comply with the covenant described in the preceding sentence or to
make a Change of Control offer because of any such failure shall constitute a
Default described in clause (iv) under "--Defaults" below (and not under clause
(ii) thereof). As a result of the foregoing, a holder of the Notes may not be
able to compel the Company to purchase the Notes unless the Company is able at
the time to refinance all indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement or
obtain requisite consents under the Credit Agreement.
 
    The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of
Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations
in connection with the repurchase of Notes
 
                                       85
<PAGE>
pursuant to the covenant described hereunder. To the extent that the provisions
of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the
covenant described hereunder, the Company shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under the covenant described hereunder by virtue thereof.
 
    The Change of Control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between
the Company and the Initial Purchasers. Management has no present intention to
engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible
that the Company would decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations
discussed below, the Company could, in the future, enter into certain
transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations,
that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture, but that
could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise
affect the Company's capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on the
ability of the Company to incur additional Indebtedness are contained in the
covenants described under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Indebtedness".
Such restrictions can only be waived with the consent of the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Except for the
limitations contained in such covenants, however, the Indenture does not contain
any covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the Notes protection in
the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
 
    The Credit Agreement prohibits the Company from purchasing any Notes, and
also provides that the occurrence of certain change of control events with
respect to the Company would constitute a default thereunder. In the event a
Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited from
purchasing Notes, the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to the
purchase of Notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such
prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such
borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing Notes. In such
case, the Company's failure to comply with this covenant would constitute a
Default under the Indenture which would, in turn, constitute a default under the
Credit Agreement. In such circumstances, the subordination provisions in the
Indenture would likely restrict payment to the Holders of Notes.
 
    Future indebtedness of the Company may contain prohibitions on the
occurrence of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control or
require such indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover,
the exercise by the holders of their right to require the Company to repurchase
the Notes could cause a default under such indebtedness, even if the Change of
Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the
Company. Finally, the Company's ability to pay cash to the holders of Notes
following the occurrence of a Change of Control may be limited by the Company's
then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient
funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases. The
provisions under the Indenture relative to the Company's obligation to make an
offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived
or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Notes.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
    The Indenture contains covenants including, among others, the following:
 
    LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS.  (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness
except that the Company may Incur Indebtedness if, after giving effect thereto,
the Consolidated Coverage Ratio exceeds 2.0 to 1.0.
 
    (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness:
 
           (1) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred
       pursuant to the Revolving Credit Facilities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
       immediately after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the aggregate
       principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (1) and
       then outstanding does not exceed the greater of (A) $75.0 million and (B)
       the sum of 50% of the
 
                                       86
<PAGE>
       book value of the inventory of the Company and its Restricted
       Subsidiaries and 65% of the book value of the accounts receivables of the
       Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
           (2) Indebtedness of the Company Incurred pursuant to the Term Loan
       Facilities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, after giving effect to any such
       Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness Incurred
       under this clause (2) and then outstanding does not exceed $120 million
       less the aggregate sum of all principal payments actually made from time
       to time after the Issue Date with respect to such Indebtedness (other
       than principal payments made from any permitted Refinancings thereof);
 
           (3) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to
       and held by the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
       that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock which
       results in any such Wholly Owned Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned
       Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to
       the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each
       case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer
       thereof;
 
           (4) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to
       and held by any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Wholly Owned
       Subsidiary); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) any such Indebtedness shall be
       unsecured Subordinated Obligations of the Company or such Restricted
       Subsidiary, as applicable, and (ii) any subsequent issuance or transfer
       of any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent
       transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the Company, a Wholly Owned
       Subsidiary or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed to
       constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;
 
           (5) Indebtedness consisting of the Notes and the Exchange Notes;
 
           (6) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than
       Indebtedness described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) of this
       covenant);
 
           (7) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness Incurred
       pursuant to paragraph (a) or pursuant to clause (5), (6) or this clause
       (7);
 
           (8) Hedging Obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
       under or with respect to Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements
       entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose
       of speculation;
 
           (9) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
       respect of performance bonds and surety or appeal bonds entered into by
       the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
       their business;
 
           (10) Indebtedness consisting of the Subsidiary Guaranties and the
       Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) or pursuant
       to clause (1), (2), (5), (6) and (7) above and (14) below;
 
           (11) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising
       from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check,
       draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight
       overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of
       business, provided that such Indebtedness is satisfied within five
       business days of Incurrence;
 
           (12) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
       consisting of indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar
       obligations, in each case incurred in connection with the disposition of
       any assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a principal
       amount not to exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company
       or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such disposition;
 
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<PAGE>
           (13) Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary Incurred to finance the
       purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or
       equipment, in each case incurred no more than 180 days after such
       purchase, lease or improvement of such property, and any Refinancing
       Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
       except in the case of the Incurrence of any such Refinancing
       Indebtedness, at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and
       after giving effect thereto, (i) the Company would be able to Incur an
       additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) above and (ii)
       the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause
       (13) and then outstanding (including any such Refinancing Indebtedness)
       shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the end of
       the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date
       of such Incurrence; and
 
           (14) Indebtedness of the Company in an aggregate principal amount
       which, together with all other Indebtedness of the Company and the
       Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of such Incurrence (other
       than Indebtedness permitted by clauses (1) through (13) above or
       paragraph (a) above) does not exceed $50.0 million.
 
        (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not, and shall not
    permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to the
    foregoing paragraph (b) if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or
    indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such
    Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Notes or the relevant Subsidiary
    Guaranty, as applicable, to at least the same extent as such Subordinated
    Obligations.
 
        (d) For purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing covenant,
    (i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more
    than one of the types of Indebtedness described above, the Company, in its
    sole discretion, will classify such item of Indebtedness and only be
    required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of the
    above clauses and (ii) an item of Indebtedness may be divided and classified
    in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described above.
 
        (e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) above, the Company shall not,
    and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, Incur (i) any Indebtedness
    if such Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to
    any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as
    applicable, unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or
    is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated
    Indebtedness or (ii) any Secured Indebtedness (other than trade payables
    incurred in the ordinary course of business) that is not Senior Indebtedness
    unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to secure the
    Notes or the relevant Subsidiary Guaranty, as applicable, equally and
    ratably with such Secured Indebtedness for so long as such Secured
    Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.
 
        LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. (a)  The Company shall not, and shall
    not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to make a
    Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
    makes such Restricted Payment: (1) a Default shall have occurred and be
    continuing (or would result therefrom); (2) the Company is not able to Incur
    an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of the
    covenant described under "--Limitation on Indebtedness"; or (3) the
    aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted
    Payments since the Issue Date would exceed the sum of:
 
           (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period
       (treated as one accounting period) from the beginning of the fiscal
       quarter immediately following the fiscal quarter during which the Notes
       are originally issued to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending
       at least 45 days (or, if less, the number of days after the end of such
       fiscal quarter as the consolidated financial statements of the Company
       shall be provided to the Noteholders pursuant
 
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       to the Indenture) prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in
       case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such
       deficit);
 
           (B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the
       issuance or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
       subsequent to the Issue Date (other than an issuance or sale to a
       Subsidiary of the Company and other than an issuance or sale to an
       employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or
       any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees to the extent
       that the purchase by such plan or trust is financed by Indebtedness of
       such plan or trust to the Company or any Subsidiary or Indebtedness
       Guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary);
 
           (C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
       Subsidiary is reduced on the Company's consolidated balance sheet upon
       the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company)
       subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or any
       Restricted Subsidiary convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock
       (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any
       cash, or the fair value of any other property, distributed by the Company
       or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange); and
 
           (D) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the net reduction in
       Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries resulting from dividends,
       repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets subsequent
       to the Issue Date, in each case to the Company or any Restricted
       Subsidiary from Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and (ii) the portion
       (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of
       the fair market value of the net assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at
       the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted
       Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed,
       in the case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments
       previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the Company or
       any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
        (b) The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit:
 
            (i) any Restricted Payment made by exchange for, or out of the
       proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the
       Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock
       issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock
       ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its
       Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees to the extent that the
       purchase by such plan or trust is financed by Indebtedness of such plan
       or trust to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or Indebtedness
       Guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company); PROVIDED,
       HOWEVER, that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be excluded in the
       calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash
       Proceeds from such sale shall be excluded from the calculation of amounts
       under clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) above;
 
            (ii) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
       acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations made by
       exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale
       of, Indebtedness which is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the
       covenant described under "--Limitation on Indebtedness"; PROVIDED,
       HOWEVER, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
       acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation
       of the amount of Restricted Payments;
 
           (iii) any purchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock of the Company
       or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds
       of the substantially concurrent sale of, Disqualified Stock of the
       Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which is permitted to be Incurred
       pursuant to the covenant described under "--Limitation on Indebtedness";
       PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
 
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       that such purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the calculation of
       the amount of Restricted Payments;
 
            (iv) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations from Net
       Available Cash to the extent permitted by the covenant described under
       "--Limitation on Sales or Assets and Subsidiary Stock"; PROVIDED,
       HOWEVER, that such purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the
       calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
 
            (v) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and within 60 days
       after the completion of the offer to repurchase the Notes pursuant to the
       covenant described under "--Change of Control" above (including the
       purchase of the Notes tendered), any purchase or redemption of
       Subordinated Obligations required pursuant to the terms thereof as a
       result of such Change of Control at a purchase or redemption price not to
       exceed the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
       interest (if any); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) at the time of such
       purchase or redemption no Default shall have occurred and be continuing
       (or would result therefrom), (B) the Company would be able to Incur an
       additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of the
       covenant described under "--Limitation on Indebtedness" after giving pro
       forma effect to such Restricted Payment and (C) such purchase or
       redemption shall be included in the calculation of the amount of
       Restricted Payments;
 
            (vi) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration
       thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied
       with this covenant; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at the time of payment of
       such dividend, no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or
       result therefrom); PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that such dividend shall be
       included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
 
           (vii) the repurchase or other acquisition of shares of, or options to
       purchase shares of, common stock of the Company or any of its
       Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or former
       directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted
       transferees of such employees, former employees, directors or former
       directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including employment
       agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of
       Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted
       the option to purchase or sell, shares of such common stock; PROVIDED,
       HOWEVER, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed
       the sum of $7.0 million and the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of
       Capital Stock to members of management or directors of the Company and
       its Subsidiaries that occurs after the Issue Date (to the extent the Net
       Cash Proceeds from the sale of such Capital Stock have not otherwise been
       applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (3)(B)
       of paragraph (a) above); PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that (A) such
       repurchases shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
       Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale shall be
       excluded from the calculation of amounts under clause (3)(B) of paragraph
       (a) above;
 
          (viii) dividends or advances to Fairchild Holdings in an amount
       necessary to pay holding company expenses, such amount not to exceed
       $500,000 in any fiscal year of the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
       dividends and advances shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount
       of Restricted Payments; or
 
            (ix) Restricted Payments not exceeding $25.0 million in the
       aggregate; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) at the time of such Restricted
       Payments, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result
       therefrom) and (B) such Restricted Payments shall be included in the
       calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
 
        LIMITATION ON RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS FROM RESTRICTED
    SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
    Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or
 
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    become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of
    any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other
    distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
    or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company, (b) make any loans or advances
    to the Company or (c) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company,
    except:
 
            (i) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in
       effect at or entered into on the Issue Date, including the Credit
       Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;
 
            (ii) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted
       Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred
       by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such
       Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than
       Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any
       portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the
       transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such
       Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by
       the Company) and outstanding on such date;
 
           (iii) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement
       effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement
       referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this covenant or this clause (iii)
       or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (i)
       or (ii) of this covenant or this clause (iii); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
       the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted
       Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are
       no more restrictive in any material respect than the encumbrances and
       restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in such
       agreements;
 
            (iv) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary non
       assignment provisions in leases governing leasehold interests to the
       extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease or the property
       leased thereunder;
 
            (v) in the case of clause (c) above, restrictions contained in
       security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted
       Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the
       property subject to such security agreements or mortgages;
 
            (vi) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed
       pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all
       or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted
       Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition; and
 
           (vii) any restriction in any agreement that is not more restrictive
       than the restrictions under the terms of the Credit Agreement as in
       effect on the Issue Date.
 
        LIMITATION ON SALES OF ASSETS AND SUBSIDIARY STOCK.  (a) The Company
    shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or
    indirectly, consummate any Asset Disposition unless (i) the Company or such
    Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset
    Disposition at least equal to the fair market value (including as to the
    value of all non-cash consideration), as determined in good faith by the
    Board of Directors, of the shares and assets subject to such Asset
    Disposition and at least 85% of the consideration thereof received by the
    Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or cash
    equivalents and (ii) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from
    such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted
    Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A) first, to the extent the Company elects
    (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness), to prepay, repay, redeem
    or purchase Senior Indebtedness or Indebtedness (other than any Disqualified
    Stock) of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (in each case other than Indebtedness
    owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within one year from the
    later of the date of such Asset Disposition and the receipt of such Net
    Available Cash; (B) second, to the extent of the balance of such Net
    Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A), to the
    extent the Company elects, to acquire Additional Assets within one year from
    the later of the date of such Asset Disposition and the receipt of such Net
    Available Cash; (C) third, to the extent of the
 
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<PAGE>
    balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with
    clauses (A) and (B), to make an offer to the holders of the Notes (and to
    holders of other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness designated by the Company)
    to purchase Notes (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness) pursuant
    to and subject to the conditions contained in the Indenture; and (D) fourth,
    to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in
    accordance with clauses (A), (B) and (C) to (x) the acquisition by the
    Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Additional Assets or (y) the
    prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness (other than any
    Disqualified Stock) of the Company (other than Indebtedness owed to an
    Affiliate of the Company) or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary (other than
    Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), in each
    case within one year from the later of the receipt of such Net Available
    Cash and the date the offer described in clause (b) below is consummated;
    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in connection with any prepayment, repayment or
    purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A), (C) or (D) above, the
    Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall permanently retire such
    Indebtedness and shall cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be
    permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid,
    repaid or purchased. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
    paragraph, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required
    to apply any Net Available Cash in accordance with this paragraph except to
    the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions
    which are not applied in accordance with this paragraph exceeds $10 million.
    Pending application of Net Available Cash pursuant to this covenant, such
    Net Available Cash shall be invested in Permitted Investments or used to
    reduce loans outstanding under any revolving credit facility.
 
        For the purposes of this covenant, the following are deemed to be cash
    or cash equivalents: (x) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company or
    any Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Company or such Restricted
    Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with such
    Asset Disposition and (y) securities received by the Company or any
    Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are promptly converted by the
    Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash.
 
        (b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of
    the Notes (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness) pursuant to clause
    (a)(ii)(C) above, the Company will be required to purchase Notes tendered
    pursuant to an offer by the Company for the Notes (and other Senior
    Subordinated Indebtedness) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal
    amount (without premium) plus accrued but unpaid interest (or, in respect of
    such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as
    may be provided for by the terms of such Senior Subordinated Indebtedness)
    in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of
    oversubscription) set forth in the Indenture. If the aggregate purchase
    price of Notes (and any other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness) tendered
    pursuant to such offer is less than the Net Available Cash allotted to the
    purchase thereof, the Company will be required to apply the remaining Net
    Available Cash in accordance with clause (a)(ii)(D) above. The Company shall
    not be required to make such an offer to purchase Notes (and other Senior
    Subordinated Indebtedness) pursuant to this covenant if the Net Available
    Cash available therefor is less than $10 million (which lesser amount shall
    be carried forward for purposes of determining whether such an offer is
    required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset
    Disposition).
 
        (c) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the
    requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities
    laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to
    this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
    regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Company shall
    comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be
    deemed to have breached its obligations under this clause by virtue thereof.
 
    LIMITATION ON AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.  (a) The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any
transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange
 
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of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of any
service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an "Affiliate Transaction") unless
the terms thereof (1) are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time of such transaction in
arm's-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate, (2) if such
Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $1.0 million, (i) are set
forth in writing and (ii) have been approved by a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate Transaction and
(3) if such Affiliate Transaction involves as amount in excess of $10.0 million,
have been determined by (A) a nationally recognized investment banking firm to
be fair, from a financial standpoint, to the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries or (B) an accounting or appraisal firm nationally recognized in
making such determinations to be on terms that are not less favorable to the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than the terms that could be obtained in
an arms-length transaction from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the
Company.
 
    (b) The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit (i) any
Restricted Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to the covenant described under
"--Limitation on Restricted Payments", (ii) any issuance of securities, or other
payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the
funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans
approved by the Board of Directors, (iii) the grant of stock options or similar
rights to employees and directors of the Company pursuant to plans approved by
the Board of Directors, (iv) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary
course of business in accordance with the past practices of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries, but in any event not to exceed $5.0 million in the
aggregate outstanding at any one time, (v) reasonable fees, compensation or
employee benefit arrangements to and indemnity provided for the benefit of
directors, officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of business, (vi) any Affiliate Transaction between the Company
and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, (vii) any
Affiliate Transaction with National Semiconductor pursuant to written agreements
in effect on the Issue Date and as amended, renewed or extended from time to
time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any such amendment, renewal or extension shall not
contain terms which are materially less favorable to the Company than those in
the agreements in effect on the Issue Date and (viii) the issuance or sale of
any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.
 
    LIMITATION ON THE SALE OR ISSUANCE OF CAPITAL STOCK OF RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company shall not sell or otherwise dispose of any Capital
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell or otherwise dispose of any
of its Capital Stock except (i) to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary,
(ii) if, immediately after giving effect to such issuance, sale or other
disposition, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries own any Capital
Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) if, immediately after giving effect
to such issuance, sale or other disposition, such Restricted Subsidiary would no
longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment in such Person
remaining after giving effect thereto would have been permitted to be made under
the covenant described under "--Limitation on Restricted Payments" if made on
the date of such issuance, sale or other disposition or (iv) directors'
qualifying shares.
 
    MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION.  The Company shall not consolidate with or merge
with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless: (i)
the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the "Successor Company") shall be
a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America,
any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not
the Company) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all
the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture; (ii)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any
Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any
Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such
Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur an
 
                                       93
<PAGE>
additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of the covenant
described under "--Limitation on Indebtedness"; (iv) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction, the Successor Company shall have Consolidated Net
Worth in an amount that is not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the
Company immediately prior to such transaction; and (v) the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,
each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental
indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that clauses
(iii) and (iv) above shall not apply if, in the good faith determination of the
Board of Directors, whose determination shall be evidenced by a resolution of
the Board of Directors, the principal purpose and effect of such transaction is
to change the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company.
 
    The Successor Company shall be the successor to the Company and shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under the Indenture, but the predecessor Company in the case of a
conveyance, transfer or lease shall not be released from the obligation to pay
the principal of and interest on the Notes.
 
    The Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or
merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series
of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless:
(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not such Subsidiary) shall
be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under
which such Subsidiary was organized or under the laws of the United States of
America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall
expressly assume, by executing a Guaranty Agreement, all the obligations of such
Subsidiary, if any, under its Subsidiary Guaranty; (ii) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating
any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or
transferee Person as a result of such transaction as having been issued by such
Person at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing; and (iii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
merger or transfer and such Guaranty Agreement, if any, complies with the
Indenture. The provisions of clauses (i) and (ii) above shall not apply to any
one or more transactions which constitute an Asset Disposition if the Company
has complied with the applicable provisions of the covenant described under
"--Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" above.
 
    Pursuant to the Indenture, Fairchild Holdings covenants not to merge with or
into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless: (i)
the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not Fairchild Holdings) shall
be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under
which Fairchild Holdings was organized or under the laws of the United States of
America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall
expressly assume, by executing a Guaranty Agreement, all the obligations of
Fairchild Holdings, if any, under the Fairchild Holdings Guaranty; (ii)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro
forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such transaction as
having been issued by such Person at the time of such transaction), no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) the Company delivers to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer and such Guaranty Agreement, if any,
complies with the Indenture.
 
    FUTURE GUARANTORS.  In the event that, after the Issue Date, any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) (i) Incurs any Indebtedness
pursuant to paragraph (a) or pursuant to clause (1) or (10) of paragraph (b) of
the covenant described under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Indebtedness"
above and (ii) until the termination of the Credit Agreement, either has
Guaranteed or will as a result of such Incurrence be required to Guarantee any
Obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Company shall cause such Restricted
Subsidiary to Guarantee the Notes pursuant to a Subsidiary Guaranty on the terms
and conditions set forth in the Indenture and shall cause all Indebtedness of
such Restricted
 
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Subsidiary owing to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company and not
previously discharged to be converted into Capital Stock of such Restricted
Subsidiary (other than Disqualified Stock).
 
    SEC REPORTS.  Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and Noteholders
with such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports as
are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a
U.S. corporation subject to such Sections, such information, documents and other
reports to be so filed and provided at the times specified for the filing of
such information, documents and reports under such Sections; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Company shall not be required to file any report, document or other
information with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing.
 
DEFAULTS
 
    An Event of Default is defined in the Indenture as (i) a default in the
payment of interest on the Notes when due, continued for 30 days, (ii) a default
in the payment of principal of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon
optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise,
(iii) the failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under "--Certain
Covenants--Merger and Consolidation" above, (iv) the failure by the Company to
comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations in the covenants
described above under "Change of Control" (other than a failure to purchase
Notes) or under "--Certain Covenants" under "--Limitation on Indebtedness",
"--Limitation on Restricted Payments", "--Limitation on Restrictions on
Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries", "-- Limitation on Sales of Assets
and Subsidiary Stock" (other than a failure to purchase Notes after an offer to
purchase same has been made in accordance with said covenant), "--Limitation on
Affiliate Transactions", "--Limitation on the Sale or Issuance of Capital Stock
of Restricted Subsidiaries", "--Future Guarantors" or "--SEC Reports", (v) the
failure by the Company to comply for 60 days after notice with its other
agreements contained in the Indenture, (vi) Indebtedness of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after
final maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and
the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $10 million
(the "cross acceleration provision"), (vii) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary (the
"bankruptcy provisions"), (viii) any judgment or decree for the payment of money
in excess of $10 million is entered against the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 days following such judgment
and is not discharged, waived or stayed within 10 days after notice (the
"judgment default provision") or (ix) the Parent Guaranty or any Subsidiary
Guaranty ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with
the terms of the Parent Guaranty or such Subsidiary Guaranty) or Parent or any
Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Parent
Guaranty or its Subsidiary Guaranty, as the case may be. However, a default
under clauses (iv), (v) and (viii) will not constitute an Event of Default until
the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes
notify the Company of the default and the Company does not cure such default
within the time specified after receipt of such notice.
 
    If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the
principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and
payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and
payable immediately; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if upon such declaration there are
any amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the amounts thereunder
have not been accelerated, such principal and interest shall be due and payable
upon the earlier of the time such amounts are accelerated or five Business Days
after receipt by the Company and the Representative under the Credit Agreement
of such declaration. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company occurs and is
continuing, the principal of and interest on all the Notes will ipso facto
become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act
on the part of the Trustee or any holders
 
                                       95
<PAGE>
of the Notes. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with
respect to the Notes and its consequences.
 
    Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will
be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the Notes unless
such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security
against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive
payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder of a Note
may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such
holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is
continuing, (ii) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have
offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability
or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days
after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity and (v) the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not
given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day
period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee
or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee,
however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the
Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of
any other holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal
liability.
 
    The Indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of the Notes notice
of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default
in the payment of principal of or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold
notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers determines that
withholding notice is not opposed to the interest of the holders of the Notes.
In addition, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days
after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers
thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company
also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence
thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults,
their status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in
respect thereof.
 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
    Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended with the consent
of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
(including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for
the Notes) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be
waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an
outstanding Note affected thereby, no amendment may, among other things, (i)
reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, (ii)
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note, (iii)
reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note, (iv) reduce
the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which
any Note may be redeemed as described under "-- Optional Redemption" above or
shall be redeemed as described under "--Mandatory Redemption" above, (v) make
any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note, (vi) impair the
right of any holder of the Notes to receive payment of principal of and interest
on such holder's Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit
for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder's Notes,
(vii) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder's
consent or in the waiver provisions, (viii) make any change to the subordination
provisions of the Indenture that would adversely affect the Noteholders or (ix)
make any change in the Parent Guaranty or any Subsidiary Guaranty that would
adversely affect the Noteholders.
 
    Without the consent of any holder of the Notes, the Company and Trustee may
amend the Indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to
provide for the assumption by a successor
 
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<PAGE>
corporation of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture, to provide
for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes
(provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for
purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the
uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to add
guarantees with respect to the Notes, to release a Subsidiary Guaranty when
permitted by the Indenture, to secure the Notes, to add to the covenants of the
Company for the benefit of the holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or
power conferred upon the Company, to make any change that does not adversely
affect the rights of any holder of the Notes or to comply with any requirement
of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. However, no amendment may be made to the subordination provisions
of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holder of Senior
Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or
their Representative) consents to such change.
 
    The consent of the holders of the Notes is not necessary under the Indenture
to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if
such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.
 
    After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, the Company is
required to mail to holders of the Notes a notice briefly describing such
amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all holders of the Notes,
or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
 
TRANSFER
 
    The Notes will be issued in registered form and will be transferable only
upon the surrender of the Notes being transferred for registration of transfer.
The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment
or other governmental charge payable in connection with certain transfers and
exchanges.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
    The Company at any time may terminate all its obligations under the Notes
and the Indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations,
including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the
Notes. The Company at any time may terminate its obligations under "--Change of
Control" and under the covenants described under "-- Certain Covenants" (other
than the covenant described under "--Merger and Consolidation"), the operation
of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to
Significant Subsidiaries and the judgment default provision described under
"--Defaults" above and the limitations contained in clauses (iii) and (iv) under
"--Certain Covenants--Merger and Consolidation" above ("covenant defeasance").
 
                                       97
<PAGE>
    The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its
prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its
legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of
an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant
defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an
Event of Default specified in clause (iv), (vi), (vii) (with respect only to
Significant Subsidiaries) or (viii) under "--Defaults" above or because of the
failure of the Company to comply with clause (iii) or (iv) under "--Certain
Covenants--Merger and Consolidation" above. If the Company exercises its legal
defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, Fairchild Holdings and each
Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect
to the Fairchild Holdings Guaranty or its Subsidiary Guaranty, as the case may
be.
 
    In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably
deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with the Trustee money or U.S.
Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to
redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other
conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will
be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had
not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel
must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in
applicable Federal income tax law).
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
    United States Trust Company of New York is the Trustee under the Indenture
and has been appointed by the Company as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard
to the Notes.
 
    The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain
exceptions. The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default occurs (and is
not cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use
the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject
to such provisions, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any Holder of Notes,
unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity
satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense and then only to the
extent required by the terms of the Indenture.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
    The Indenture provides that it and the Notes will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the
application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
    "Additional Assets" means (i) any property or assets (other than
Indebtedness and Capital Stock) in a Related Business; (ii) the Capital Stock of
a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of
such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary or (iii)
Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time
is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such Restricted
Subsidiary described in clauses (ii) or (iii) above is primarily engaged in a
Related Business.
 
    "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or
indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by
 
                                       98
<PAGE>
contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have
meanings correlative to the foregoing. For purposes of the provisions described
under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments", "--Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Affiliate Transactions" and "--Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" only, "Affiliate"
shall also mean any beneficial owner of Capital Stock representing 10% or more
of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the
Company or of rights or warrants to purchase such Capital Stock (whether or not
currently exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any such
beneficial owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof.
 
    "Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (or
series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by means of a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this
definition as a "disposition"), of (i) any shares of Capital Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares
required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary), (ii) all or substantially all the assets of any division
or line of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) any
other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary
course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than, in
the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, (x) a disposition by a Restricted
Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (y) for purposes of the covenant described under
"--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" only,
a disposition that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by the covenant
described under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments" and (z)
disposition of assets with a fair market value of less than $100,000).
 
    "Attributable Debt" in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at
the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate
borne by the Notes, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee
for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such
Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been
extended).
 
    "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum
of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the
dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or
redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by
the amount of such payment by (ii) the sum of all such payments.
 
    "Banks" has the meaning specified in the Credit Agreement.
 
    "Bank Indebtedness" means all Obligations pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
 
    "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.
 
    "Business Day" means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
 
    "Capital Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required to be
classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes
in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such
obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in
accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the
last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first
date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a
penalty.
 
    "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to
purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests
in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock,
but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
 
    "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
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<PAGE>
    "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" as of any date of determination means the
ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent
four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days (or, if less, the
number of days after the end of such fiscal quarter as the consolidated
financial statements of the Company shall be provided to the Noteholders
pursuant to the Indenture) prior to the date of such determination to (ii)
Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided, however,
that (1) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any
Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if
the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage
Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a
pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred
on the first day of such period and the discharge of any other Indebtedness
repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such
new Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such
period, (2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased,
defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of such
period or if any Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or
otherwise discharged (in each case other than Indebtedness Incurred under any
revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid
and has not been replaced) on the date of the transaction giving rise to the
need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if
such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has not earned the interest income
actually earned during such period in respect of cash or Temporary Cash
Investments used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such
Indebtedness, (3) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition, the EBITDA for such
period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if positive) directly
attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for
such period, or increased by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if negative),
directly attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense
for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest
Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with
respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection
with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period
directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the
extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer
liable for such Indebtedness after such sale), (4) if since the beginning of
such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise)
shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any person which
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets, including any
acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a
calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of
an operating unit of a business, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for
such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including
the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition
occurred on the first day of such period and (5) if since the beginning of such
period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was
merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning
of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any Investment or
acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause
(3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such
period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be
calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition,
Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period. For purposes
of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition
of assets, the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of
Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in
connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good
faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company. If any
Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma
effect, the interest of such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in
effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire
period (taking into account any Interest Rate
 
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<PAGE>
Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a
remaining term in excess of 12 months).
 
    "Consolidated Current Liabilities" as of the date of determination means the
aggregate amount of liabilities of the Company and its consolidated Restricted
Subsidiaries which may properly be classified as current liabilities (including
taxes accrued as estimated), on a consolidated basis, after eliminating (i) all
intercompany items between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary and (ii)
all current maturities of long-term Indebtedness, all as determined in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
 
    "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest
expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to
the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent
incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication, (i)
interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations and the interest
expense attributable to leases constituting part of a Sale/ Leaseback
Transaction, (ii) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost, (iii)
capitalized interest, (iv) non-cash interest expenses, (v) commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
bankers' acceptance financing, (vi) net costs associated with Hedging
Obligations (including amortization of fees), (vii) Preferred Stock dividends
accrued by consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of all Preferred
Stock held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (viii)
interest incurred in connection with Investments in discontinued operations,
(ix) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person to the extent
such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by (or secured by the assets of) the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary and (x) the cash contributions to any employee stock
ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by
such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the
Company) in connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust.
 
    "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries; provided, however, that there shall
not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
 
        (i) any net income of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person
    is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that (A) subject to the exclusion
    contained in clause (iv) below, the Company's equity in the net income of
    any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net
    Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such
    Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a
    dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other
    distribution paid to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained
    in clause (iii) below) and (B) the Company's equity in a net loss of any
    such Person for such period shall be included in determining such
    Consolidated Net Income;
 
        (ii) any net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a
    Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the
    date of such acquisition;
 
       (iii) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Restricted
    Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the
    payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted
    Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that (A) subject
    to the exclusion contained in clause (iv) below, the Company's equity in the
    net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be
    included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash
    that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary consistent
    with such restrictions during such period to the Company or another
    Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the
    case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted
    Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and (B) the
    Company's equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such
    period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;
 
        (iv) any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of
    any assets of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including
    pursuant to any sale-and-leaseback arrangement) which is not
 
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<PAGE>
    sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any
    gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital
    Stock of any Person;
 
        (v) extraordinary gains or losses; and
 
        (vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of the covenant described under
"Certain Covenants-- Limitation on Restricted Payments" only, there shall be
excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or
advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or
transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such
covenant pursuant to clause (a)(3)(D) thereof.
 
    "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" as of any date of determination means the
total amount of assets (less accumulated depreciation and amortization,
allowances for doubtful receivables, other applicable reserves and other
properly deductible items) which would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of
the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and after giving effect to purchase
accounting and after deducting therefrom Consolidated Current Liabilities and,
to the extent otherwise included, the amounts of: (i) minority interests in
consolidated Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary; (ii) excess of cost over fair value of assets of businesses
acquired, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; (iii) any
revaluation or other write-up in book value of assets subsequent to the Issue
Date as a result of a change in the method of valuation in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied; (iv) unamortized debt discount and expenses and other
unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights, licenses, organization or developmental expenses and
other intangible items; (v) treasury stock; (vi) cash set apart and held in a
sinking or other analogous fund established for the purpose of redemption or
other retirement of Capital Stock to the extent such obligation is not reflected
in Consolidated Current Liabilities; and (vii) Investments in and assets of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
 
    "Consolidated Net Worth" means the total of the amounts shown on the balance
sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the most recent
fiscal quarter of the Company ending at least 45 days prior to the taking of any
action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as (i) the par
or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock of the Company plus (ii)
paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any
retained earnings or earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any
amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.
 
    "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement by and among Fairchild
Holdings, the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries, the lenders referred to
therein, Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent, Credit Suisse First
Boston, as Syndication Agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as
Documentation Agent, together with the related documents thereto (including
without limitation the term loans and revolving loans thereunder, any guarantees
and security documents), as amended, extended, renewed, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount,
terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time, and any
agreement (and related document) governing Indebtedness incurred to refund or
refinance, in whole or in part, the borrowings and commitments then outstanding
or permitted to be outstanding under such Credit Agreement or a successor Credit
Agreement, whether by the same or any other lender or group of lenders.
 
    "Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange
contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement to which such
Person is a party or beneficiary.
 
    "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
 
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    "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) the Bank Indebtedness; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that Bank Indebtedness outstanding under any Credit Agreement that
Refinanced in part, but not in whole, the previously outstanding Bank
Indebtedness shall only constitute Designated Senior Indebtedness if it meets
the requirements of succeeding clause (ii); and (ii) any other Senior
Indebtedness of the Company which, at the date of determination, has an
aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of
determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $10
million and is specifically designated by the Company in the instrument
evidencing or governing such Senior Indebtedness as "Designated Senior
Indebtedness" for purposes of the Indenture.
 
    "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock
which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event (i) matures
or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
(ii) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or
(iii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, in
each case on or prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the
Notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute
Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right
to require such Person to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the
occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control" occurring prior to the
first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control" provisions
applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such
Capital Stock than the provisions described under "Change of Control" and under
"--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock".
 
    "EBITDA" for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net Income, plus
Consolidated Interest Expense plus the following to the extent deducted in
calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (a) all income tax expense of the
Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) depreciation expense
of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, (c) amortization
expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding
amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a
prior period) and (d) all other non-cash charges of the Company and its
consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such non-cash charge to the
extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any
future period), in each case for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and
amortization and non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to
Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same
proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in
calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be
permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such
Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained),
pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments,
decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such
Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
 
    "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
    "Fairchild Holdings" means FSC Semiconductor Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, and any successor corporation.
 
    "Fairchild Holdings Guaranty" means the Guarantee by Fairchild Holdings of
the Company's obligations with respect to the Notes contained in the Indenture.
 
    "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary not created or
organized in the United States or any state thereof and that conducts
substantially all its operations outside of the United States.
 
    "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth in (i)
the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (ii) statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (iii) such other
statements by such other entity as
 
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approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (iv) the
rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements
(including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be
filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and
pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from
the accounting staff of the SEC.
 
    "Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any Person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person (whether arising by virtue of
partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets,
goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to
protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term "Guarantor" shall mean any
Person Guaranteeing any obligation.
 
    "Guaranty Agreement" means a supplemental indenture, in a form satisfactory
to the Trustee, pursuant to which Fairchild Holdings or a Subsidiary Guarantor
becomes subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Indenture.
 
    "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person
pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.
 
    "Holder" or "Noteholder" means the Person in whose name a Note is registered
on the Registrar's books.
 
    "Incur" means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable
for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person
existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such
Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term "Incurrence" when used
as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a
non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the
Incurrence of Indebtedness.
 
    "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination (without duplication):
 
        (i) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of (A) indebtedness
    of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes,
    debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such
    Person is responsible or liable;
 
        (ii) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable
    Debt in respect of Sale/ Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person;
 
       (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred
    purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person
    and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but
    excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
    business);
 
        (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor
    on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction
    (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing
    obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (i) through (iii)
    above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the
    extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent
    drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day
    following payment on the letter of credit);
 
                                      104
<PAGE>
        (v) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the
    redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with
    respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, the liquidation preference with
    respect to, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued
    dividends);
 
        (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v)
    of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of
    which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or
    indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any
    Guarantee;
 
       (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi)
    of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person
    (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of
    such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property
    or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and
 
      (viii) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging
    Obligations of such Person.
 
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the
maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the
obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date; provided, however, that
the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original
issue discount shall be deemed to be the face amount of such Indebtedness less
the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such
indebtedness at such time as determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "Interest Rate Agreement" means in respect of a Person any interest rate
swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or
arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest
rates.
 
    "Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan (other
than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded
as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender) or other extensions
of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement) or capital
contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or
any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any
purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar
instruments issued by such Person. For purposes of the definition of
"Unrestricted Subsidiary", the definition of "Restricted Payment" and the
covenant described under "-- Certain Covenants--Limitation on Restricted
Payments", (i) "Investment" shall include the portion (proportionate to the
Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the
net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is
designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a
redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall
be deemed to continue to have a permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted
Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Company's
"Investment" in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the
portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of
the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such
redesignation; and (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such
transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
 
    "Issue Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued.
 
    "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or
charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
 
    "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received
therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of
principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and proceeds
from the sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration,
but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in
the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other
obligations relating to such properties or
 
                                      105
<PAGE>
assets or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of (i) all
legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses
incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required
to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset
Disposition, (ii) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any
assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any
Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with respect to such assets,
or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such
Asset Disposition, or by applicable law be, repaid out of the proceeds from such
Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions and other payments required to be
made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result
of such Asset Disposition and (iv) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided
by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities
associated with the property or other assets disposed in such Asset Disposition
and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset
Disposition.
 
    "Net Cash Proceeds", with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or
commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof.
 
    "Obligations" means with respect to any Indebtedness all obligations for
principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements,
and other amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such
Indebtedness.
 
    "Permitted Holders" means (i) CVC, (ii) any officer, employee or director of
CVC or any trust, partnership or other entity established solely for the benefit
of such officers, employees or directors, (iii) any officer, employee or
director of Fairchild Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary or any trust,
partnership or other entity established solely for the benefit of such officers,
employees or directors, and (iv) in the case of any individual, any Permitted
Transferee of such individual (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), except
a Permitted Transferee by virtue of Section 3.4(b)(iv) thereof; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that in no event shall individuals collectively be deemed to be
"Permitted Holders" with respect to more than 30% of the total voting power of
Fairchild Holdings or the Company.
 
    "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in (i) a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will, upon the making
of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the
primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business; (ii)
another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or
consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its
assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such
Person's primary business is a Related Business; (iii) Temporary Cash
Investments; (iv) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or
dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
such trade terms may include such concessionaire trade terms as the Company or
any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances; (v)
payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the
time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting
purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business; (vi) loans or
advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; (vii) stock,
obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the
ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments; and (viii) any Person to the extent
such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received
for an Asset Disposition as permitted pursuant to the covenant described under
"--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock".
 
    "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any
other entity.
 
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<PAGE>
    "Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means
Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as
to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such
Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
 
    "principal" of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if
any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the
relevant time.
 
    "Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten primary public offering of
common stock of (i) the Company or (ii) Fairchild Holdings (to the extent the
proceeds thereof are contemporaneously contributed to the Company), in each case
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
 
    "Refinance" means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend,
renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other
Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such indebtedness. "Refinanced" and
"Refinancing" shall have correlative meanings.
 
    "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that Refinances any
Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Issue
Date or Incurred in compliance with the Indenture, including Indebtedness that
Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that (i) such
Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated
Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (ii) such Refinancing
Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is
Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness
being Refinanced and (iii) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate
principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate
issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if
Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then
outstanding or committed (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and
defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided further,
however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a
Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Company or (y) Indebtedness of
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    "Related Business" means any business related, ancillary or complementary to
the businesses of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date.
 
    "Representative" means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an
issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Company; provided, however, that if and for
so long as any Senior Indebtedness lacks such a representative, then the
Representative for such Senior Indebtedness shall at all times be the holders of
a majority in outstanding principal amount of such senior Indebtedness.
 
    "Restricted Payment" with respect to any Person means (i) the declaration or
payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of
its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the direct or
indirect holders of its Capital Stock (other than dividends or distributions
payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and
dividends or distributions payable solely to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary, and other than PRO RATA dividends or other distributions made by a
Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or
owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity
other than a corporation)), (ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition
or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by any Person
or of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the
Company (other than a Restricted Subsidiary), including the exercise of any
option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than into Capital Stock of the
Company that is not Disqualified Stock), (iii) the purchase, repurchase,
redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to
scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any
Subordinated Obligations (other than the purchase, repurchase or other
acquisition of Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of satisfying
a sinking fund obligation, principal
 
                                      107
<PAGE>
installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of
acquisition) or (iv) the making of any Investment in any Person (other than a
Permitted Investment).
 
    "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    "Revolving Credit Facilities" means the revolving credit facility contained
in the Credit Agreement and any other facility or financing arrangement that
Refinances or replaces, in whole or in part, any such revolving credit facility.
 
    "Sale/ Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now
owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
leases it from such Person.
 
    "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
    "Secured Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company secured by a
Lien.
 
    "Senior Indebtedness" of any Person means all (i) Bank Indebtedness of or
guaranteed by such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter
Incurred, and (ii) Indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue
Date or thereafter Incurred, including interest thereon, in respect of (A)
Indebtedness for money borrowed, (B) Indebtedness evidenced by notes,
debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such
Person is responsible or liable and (C) Hedging Obligations, unless, in the case
of (i) and (ii), in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant
to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are
subordinate in right of payment to the obligations under the Notes; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include (1) any obligation of such
Person to any subsidiary of such Person, (2) any liability for Federal, state,
local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person, (3) any accounts payable or
other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business
(including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities), (4)
any Indebtedness of such Person (and any accrued and unpaid interest in respect
thereof) which is subordinate or junior by its terms to any other Indebtedness
or other obligation of such Person or (5) that portion of any Indebtedness which
at the time of Incurrence is Incurred in violation of the Indenture (but as to
any such Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, no such violation shall be
deemed to exist if the Representative of the Lenders thereunder shall have
received an officers' certificate of the Company to the effect that the issuance
of such Indebtedness does not violate such covenant and setting forth in
reasonable detail the reasons therefor).
 
    "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means (i) with respect to the Company,
the Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides
that such Indebtedness is to rank PARI PASSU with the Notes in right of payment
and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or
other obligation of the Company which is not Senior Indebtedness of the Company
and (ii) with respect to Fairchild Holdings or a Subsidiary Guarantor, their
respective Guarantees of the Notes and any other indebtedness of such Person
that specifically provides that such Indebtedness rank PARI PASSU with such
Guarantee in respect of payment and is not subordinated by its terms in respect
of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person which is not
Senior Indebtedness of such Person.
 
    "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a
"Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under
Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
 
    "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date specified in
such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such
security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such
security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any
contingency unless such contingency has occurred).
 
    "Stockholders' Agreement" means the Securities Purchase and Holders
Agreement among the stockholders of Fairchild Holdings, as in effect on the
Issue Date.
 
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<PAGE>
    "Subordinated Obligation" means any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter
Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to, in the case of
the Company, the Notes or, in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor, its
Subsidiary Guaranty, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.
 
    "Subsidiary" means, in respect of any Person, any corporation, association,
partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership
interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to
vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such
Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
    "Subsidiary Guarantor" means any subsidiary of the Company that Guarantees
the Company's obligations with respect to the Notes.
 
    "Subsidiary Guaranty" means a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the
Company's obligations with respect to the Notes.
 
    "Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following:
 
        (i) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America
    or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of
    America or any agency thereof,
 
        (ii) investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and
    money market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition
    thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws
    of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country
    recognized by the United States, and which bank or trust company has
    capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $50,000,000
    (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which
    is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one
    nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule
    436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a
    registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor,
 
       (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for
    underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered
    into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above,
 
        (iv) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 90 days
    after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an
    Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the
    United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United
    States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment
    therein is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's Investors Service,
    Inc. or "A-1" (or higher) according to Standard and Poor's Ratings Group,
    and
 
        (v) investments in securities with maturities of six months or less from
    the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state,
    commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any
    political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least "A" by
    Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
 
    "Term Loan Facilities" means the term loan facilities contained in the
Credit Agreement and any other facility or financing arrangement that Refinances
in whole or in part any such term loan facility.
 
    "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that at
the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the
Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of
the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns
any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or
 
                                      109
<PAGE>
holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the
Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated;
provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total
assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than
$1,000, such designation would be permitted under the covenant described under
"--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments". The Board of Directors
may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (x)
the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of
the covenant described under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Indebtedness"
and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation
by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing
with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors giving
effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such
designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
 
    "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations (or certificates
representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of
America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of
which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and
which are not callable at the issuer's option.
 
    "Voting Stock" of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other
interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and
normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
 
    "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital
Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by the Company
or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
 
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<PAGE>
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    The following discussion summarizes the material United States federal
income tax consequences of the Exchange Offer to a holder of Existing Notes that
is an individual citizen or resident of the United States or a United States
corporation that purchased the Existing Notes pursuant to their original issue
(a "U.S. Holder"). It is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
to the date hereof (the "Code"), existing and proposed Treasury regulations, and
judicial and administrative determinations, all of which are subject to change
at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. The following relates only to the
Existing Notes, and the Exchange Notes received therefor, that are held as
"capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code by U.S. Holders.
It does not discuss state, local, or foreign tax consequences, nor does it
discuss tax consequences to subsequent purchasers (persons who did not purchase
the Existing Notes pursuant to their original issue), or to categories of
holders that are subject to special rules, such as foreign persons, tax-exempt
organizations, insurance companies, banks and dealers in stocks and securities.
Tax consequences may vary depending on the particular status of an investor. No
rulings will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the
federal income tax consequences of the Exchange Offer.
 
    THIS SECTION DOES NOT PURPORT TO DEAL WITH ALL ASPECTS OF FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO AN INVESTOR'S DECISION TO EXCHANGE EXISTING
NOTES FOR EXCHANGE NOTES. EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR
CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS AND OTHER TAX LAWS TO
ITS PARTICULAR SITUATION BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER TO EXCHANGE EXISTING NOTES
FOR EXCHANGE NOTES.
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    The exchange of Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer should be
treated as a continuation of the corresponding Existing Notes because the terms
of the Exchange Notes are not materially different from the terms of the
Existing Notes. Accordingly, such exchange should not constitute a taxable event
to U.S. Holders and, therefore, (i) no gain or loss should be realized by U.S.
Holders upon receipt of an Exchange Note, (ii) the holding period of the
Exchange Note should include the holding period of the Existing Note exchanged
therefor and (iii) the adjusted tax basis of the Exchange Note should be the
same as the adjusted tax basis of the Existing Note exchanged therefor
immediately before the exchange.
 
STATED INTEREST
 
    Stated interest on a Note will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary
interest income at the time that such interest accrues or is received, in
accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of accounting for federal
income tax purposes. The Notes are not considered to have been issued with
original issue discount for federal income tax purposes.
 
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES
 
    A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a Note generally will be its cost. A U.S.
Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or retirement
of a Note in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on
the sale, exchange or retirement and the tax basis of the Note. Gain or loss
recognized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note (excluding amounts
received in respect of accrued interest, which will be taxable as ordinary
interest income) generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term
capital gain or loss, if the Note was held for more than one year.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
    Under certain circumstances, a U.S. Holder of a Note may be subject to
"backup withholding" at a 31% rate with respect to payments of interest thereon
or the gross proceeds from the disposition thereof.
 
                                      111
<PAGE>
This withholding generally applies if the U.S. Holder fails to furnish his or
her social security number or other taxpayer identification number in the
specified manner and in certain circumstances. Any amount withheld from a
payment to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a
credit against such U.S Holder's federal income tax liability, provided that the
required information is furnished to the IRS. Corporations and certain other
entities described in the Code and Treasury regulations are exempt from backup
withholding if their exempt status is properly established.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant
to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Existing
Notes where such Existing Notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a
period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection
with any such resale. In addition, until        , 199  , all dealers effecting
transactions in the Exchange Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
 
    The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes by
broker-dealers. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a
distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange
Notes and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be
deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of
Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering
a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
    For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Company will promptly
send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to
this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter
of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident to the
Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the Holders of the
Notes) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will
indemnify the Holders of the Securities (including any broker-dealers) against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    Certain legal matters with respect to the Exchange Notes offered hereby will
be passed upon by Dechert Price & Rhoads, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
   
    The financial statements of the Fairchild Semiconductor business of National
Semiconductor Corporation and the financial statements of FSC Semiconductor
Corporation have been included herein and in the Registration Statement in
reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
    
 
                                      112
<PAGE>
                DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    This Prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All
statements other than statements of historical facts included in this
Prospectus, including without limitation the Unaudited Supplemental Data set
forth in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements and
Unaudited Supplemental Data and the statements under "Business--Business
Strategy" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Overview" and "--Liquidity and Capital Resources", are
forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's
or management's expectations ("Cautionary Statements") are disclosed in this
Prospectus, including without limitation in conjunction with the forward-looking
statements included in this Prospectus and under "Risk Factors." All written and
oral forward-looking statements made following consummation of the Transactions
which are attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are
expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.
 
                                      113
<PAGE>
                                    GLOSSARY
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
ASIC..............................  Application Specific Integrated Circuit. A
                                    custom-designed integrated circuit that performs
                                    specific functions which would otherwise require a
                                    number of off-the-shelf integrated circuits to perform.
                                    The use of an ASIC in place of a conventional integrated
                                    circuit reduces product size and cost and also improves
                                    reliability.
ASSP..............................  Application Specific Standard Product. A standard
                                    integrated circuit designed for a specific product or
                                    application, such as a VCR, stereo or microwave.
Back end..........................  The process that assembles the die into the final
                                    package and performs the final test.
BiCMOS............................  BiCMOS is a hybrid of CMOS and bipolar technologies
                                    developed to combine the high speed characteristics of
                                    bipolar technologies with the low power consumption and
                                    high integration of CMOS technologies.
Bipolar...........................  A manufacturing process that uses two opposite
                                    electrical poles to build semiconductors.
CAD...............................  Computer aided design.
CIM...............................  Computer integrated manufacturing.
CMOS..............................  Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. Currently the
                                    most common IC fabrication process technology, CMOS is
                                    one of the latest fabrication techniques to use metal
                                    oxide semiconductor transistors.
Die...............................  A piece of a semiconductor wafer containing the
                                    circuitry of a single chip.
Diode.............................  An electronic device that allows current to flow in only
                                    one direction.
Discrete..........................  A single individually packaged component.
DMOS..............................  Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A process technology
                                    used in power discrete fabrication.
DRAM..............................  Dynamic Random Access Memory. A type of volatile memory
                                    product that is used in electronic systems to store data
                                    and program instructions. It is the most common type of
                                    RAM and must be refreshed with electricity thousands of
                                    times per second or else its memory will fade away.
EEPROM............................  Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memory.
                                    A form of non-volatile memory that can be erased
                                    electronically before being reprogrammed.
EPROM.............................  Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory. Non-volatile
                                    memory which may be erased by exposure to ultraviolet
                                    light and which can be reprogrammed only by an external
                                    programming unit.
Fab...............................  The facility that fabricates the wafer.
FACT-TM-..........................  Fairchild Advanced CMOS Technology.
FAST-Registered Trademark-........  Fairchild Advanced Schottky Technology.
</TABLE>
 
                                      G-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
FET...............................  Field Effect Transistor.
Flash Memory......................  A type of non-volatile memory, similar to an EEPROM in
                                    that it is erasable and reprogrammable. The difference
                                    is that it must be erased and reprogrammed in sectors,
                                    not individual bits.
Foundry...........................  A wafer fab that manufactures silicon for another
                                    business.
IC................................  Integrated Circuit. A combination of two or more
                                    transistors on a base material, usually silicon. All
                                    semiconductor chips, including memory chips and logic
                                    chips, are just very complicated ICs with thousands of
                                    transistors.
Lead Frames.......................  A conductive frame that brings the electrical signals to
                                    and from the die.
Logic Product.....................  A product that contains digital integrated circuits that
                                    move and shape, rather than store, information.
Mask..............................  A piece of glass on which an IC's circuitry design is
                                    laid out. Integrated circuits may require up to 20
                                    different layers of design, each with its own mask. In
                                    the IC production process, a light shines through the
                                    mask leaving an image of the design on the wafer. Also
                                    known as a reticle.
Mb................................  Mega Bit. One million (or 1,048,576) bits as a unit of
                                    data size or memory capacity.
Memory............................  A group of integrated circuits that a computer uses to
                                    store data and programs, such as ROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM,
                                    EEPROM and EPROM.
Mhz...............................  Megahertz. One million cycles per second. Typically
                                    measures the clock speed of microprocessors.
Micron............................  1/25,000 of an inch. Circuity on an IC typically follows
                                    lines that are less than one micron wide.
MOS...............................  Metal Oxide Semiconductor.
MOSFET............................  Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET.
Motherboard.......................  The main piece of circuitry inside a PC.
Non-volatile Memory...............  Memory products which retain their data content without
                                    the need for constant power supply.
Package...........................  A protective case that surrounds the die, consisting of
                                    a plastic housing and a lead frame.
PC................................  Personal Computer.
Planar Technology.................  By the later 1950s, transistors were made in batches
                                    through a simple photolithographic technique known as
                                    the mesa process. This process, which led directly to
                                    the creation of the commercially viable integrated
                                    circuit, is a form of contact printing.
                                    A cross section of a typical mesa transistor resembles a
                                    mesa of silicon squatting on top of a foundation of
                                    silicon. The three essential parts of a transistor are
                                    all there: the base is the mesa,
</TABLE>
 
                                      G-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    the collector is the foundation, and the emitter is a
                                    tiny piece of doped silicon embedded in the base. To
                                    fabricate a mesa transistor, a flat wafer of silicon was
                                    doped with either positive ions or electrons, covered
                                    with a photomask (a photographic plate), exposed to
                                    ultraviolet light and then immersed in an acid bath,
                                    which etched away the exposed area around the mesa.
                                    For all the manufacturing benefits brought about by the
                                    mesa process, it had two major drawbacks: the mesa was
                                    susceptible to both physical harm and contamination, and
                                    the process didn't lend itself to the making of
                                    resistors. Then Jean Hoerni, a Swiss physicist and one
                                    of Fairchild's founders, invented an ingenious way
                                    around these obstacles by creating a flat, or planar,
                                    transistor.
                                    Instead of mounting the mesa, or base, on top of a
                                    foundation of silicon, he diffused it into the
                                    foundation, which served as the collector. Next he
                                    diffused the emittor into the base. (The base was
                                    composed of negatively doped silicon, the collector and
                                    emitor of positively doped silicon; the first planar
                                    device was thus a pnp transistor.) Then he covered the
                                    whole thing with a protective coating of silicon
                                    dioxide, an insulator, leaving certain areas in the base
                                    and the emitter uncovered. He diffused a thin layer of
                                    aluminium into these areas, thereby creating "wires"
                                    that hooked the device up to the outside (this was the
                                    idea of his colleague and Fairchild co-founder, Robert
                                    Noyce). The result was a durable and reliable
                                    transistor, and the all-important breakthrough that made
                                    commercial production of ICs possible.
Plug and Play.....................  A protocol that supports automated configuration of add
                                    on cards.
Power Discrete....................  A discrete device that converts, switches or conditions
                                    electricity.
PROM..............................  Programmable Read-Only Memory. Similar to ROM in that
                                    once programmed it can be "read only" and not changed.
                                    Programmable ROM means that customers can program the
                                    integrated circuits themselves, so that the IC need not
                                    be programmed when it is manufactured. The programming
                                    is possible because of a series of fuses in the
                                    circuitry that can be selectively blown to create a
                                    unique type of data.
RAM...............................  Random Access Memory. A type of volatile memory, forming
                                    the main memory of a computer where applications and
                                    files are run.
ROM...............................  Read-Only Memory. Memory that is programmed by the
                                    manufacturer and cannot be changed. Typically, ROM is
                                    used to provide start-up data when a computer is first
                                    turned on.
SAM...............................  Serviceable available market.
</TABLE>
 
                                      G-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Semiconductor.....................  A material with electrical conducting properties in
                                    between those of metals and insulators. (Metals always
                                    conduct and insulators never conduct, but semiconductors
                                    sometimes conduct.) Essentially, semiconductors transmit
                                    electricity only under certain circumstances, such as
                                    when given a positive or negative electric charge.
                                    Therefore, a semiconductor's ability to conduct can be
                                    turned on or off by manipulating those charges and this
                                    allows the semiconductor to act as an electric switch.
                                    The most common semiconductor material is silicon, used
                                    as the base of most semiconductor chips today because it
                                    is relatively inexpensive and easy to create.
SOM...............................  Share of Market.
Sort..............................  The process of evaluating die into different grades,
                                    good/bad or speed grades.
SRAM..............................  Static Random Access Memory. A type of volatile memory
                                    product that is used in electronic systems to store data
                                    and program instructions. Unlike the more common DRAM,
                                    it does not need to be refreshed.
Stepper...........................  A machine used in the photolithography process in making
                                    wafers. With a stepper, a small portion of the wafer is
                                    aligned with the mask upon which the circuity design is
                                    laid out and is then exposed to strong light. The
                                    machine then "steps" to the next area repeating the
                                    process until the entire wafer has been done. Exposing
                                    only a small area of the wafer at a time allows the
                                    light to be focused more strongly which gives better
                                    resolution of the circuity design.
TAM...............................  Total Available Market.
Transistor........................  An individual circuit that can amplify or switch
                                    electric current. This is the building block of all
                                    integrated circuits and semiconductors.
Volatile Memory...................  Memory products which lose their data content when the
                                    power supply is switched off.
Wafer.............................  Thin, round, flat piece of silicon that is the base of
                                    most integrated circuits.
</TABLE>
 
                                      G-4
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
 
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
Independent Auditor's Report...............................................................................        F-2
 
Combined Balance Sheets as of May 28, 1995 and May 26, 1996 of
Fairchild Semiconductor Business of National Semiconductor Corporation.....................................        F-3
 
Combined Statement of Operations as of May 29, 1994, May 28, 1995 and
May 26, 1996 of Fairchild Semiconductor Business of National Semiconductor
Corporation................................................................................................        F-4
 
Notes to Combined Statements...............................................................................        F-5
 
Unaudited Combined Balance Sheets for the Nine Months Ended February 23, 1997
of Fairchild Semiconductor Business of National Semiconductor
Corporation................................................................................................       F-14
 
Unaudited Combined Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended
February 25, 1996 and February 23, 1997 of Fairchild Semiconductor
Business of National Semiconductor Corporation.............................................................       F-15
 
Notes to Unaudited Combined Statements.....................................................................       F-16
 
FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
Independent Auditor's Report...............................................................................       F-23
 
Balance Sheet as of March 10, 1997 of FSC Semiconductor Corporation........................................       F-24
 
Notes to Balance Sheet.....................................................................................       F-25
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
National Semiconductor Corporation:
 
    We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the Fairchild
Semiconductor Business of National Semiconductor Corporation (the "Company" or
the "Business") as of May 28, 1995 and May 26, 1996 and the accompanying
combined statements of operations for each of the years in the three-year period
ended May 26, 1996. These statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined
statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the statements. An audit also includes assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statements. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    The accompanying combined statements were prepared on the basis of
presentation as described in Note 1. The accompanying combined statements
present the combined assets, liabilities and business equity and the related
combined revenues less direct expenses before taxes of the Business, and are not
intended to be a complete presentation of the Business' financial position,
results of operations or cash flows. The results of operations before taxes are
not necessarily indicative of the results of operations before taxes that would
be recorded by the Company on a stand-alone basis.
 
    In our opinion, the accompanying combined statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the combined assets, liabilities and business equity of the
Business as of May 28, 1995 and May 26, 1996 and its combined revenues less
direct expenses before taxes for each of the years in the three-year period
ended May 26, 1996, on the basis described in Note 1, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
    As discussed in Note 2 to the combined statements, in 1996 the Business
changed its method of accounting for depreciation.
 
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
   
San Jose, California
December 5, 1996
(except as to Note 10 which is as of June 20, 1997)
    
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                            COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       MAY 28, 1995   MAY 26, 1996
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>            <C>
                                               ASSETS
Current assets:
  Inventories........................................................................    $    68.8      $    93.1
  Prepaid expenses and other.........................................................          8.3            9.6
  Miscellaneous Receivables..........................................................         20.2            9.6
                                                                                            ------         ------
      Total current assets...........................................................         97.3          112.3
Property, plant and equipment, net...................................................        223.8          318.3
Other assets.........................................................................          2.1            2.1
                                                                                            ------         ------
      Total assets...................................................................    $   323.2      $   432.7
                                                                                            ------         ------
                                                                                            ------         ------
 
                                  LIABILITIES AND BUSINESS EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable...................................................................    $    69.8      $    64.6
  Accrued expenses...................................................................         20.2           18.9
                                                                                            ------         ------
      Total current liabilities......................................................         90.0           83.5
Commitments
Business equity......................................................................        233.2          349.2
                                                                                            ------         ------
      Total liabilities and business equity..........................................    $   323.2      $   432.7
                                                                                            ------         ------
                                                                                            ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                 See accompanying notes to combined statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      -------------------------------------
                                                                                        MAY 29,      MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                                         1994         1995         1996
                                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Net sales--trade..................................................................   $   658.9    $   629.6    $   687.8
  Contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor....................................        57.7         50.7         87.6
                                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total revenue.................................................................       716.6        680.3        775.4
 
Direct and allocated costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales.....................................................................       410.6        425.8        472.7
  Cost of contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor............................        57.7         50.7         87.6
  Research and development..........................................................        27.4         31.0         30.3
  Selling and marketing.............................................................        55.0         56.8         65.6
  General and administrative........................................................        42.3         43.5         48.4
                                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total operating costs and expenses............................................       593.0        607.8        704.6
                                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                           123.6         72.5         70.8
Other (income) expense..............................................................        (1.9)        (1.8)        (1.5)
                                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
Revenues less direct and allocated expenses before taxes............................   $   125.5    $    74.3    $    72.3
                                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                 See accompanying notes to combined statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                          NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    The Fairchild Semiconductor Business ("Fairchild" or the "Business") is
defined as the logic, discrete and memory divisions of National Semiconductor
Corporation ("National Semiconductor"), including flash memory but excluding
public networks, programmable products and mil/aero products. Manufacturing
operations for the Business are primarily conducted in plants in South Portland,
Maine; Salt Lake City, Utah; Cebu, the Philippines; and Penang, Malaysia
(collectively referred to as "Fairchild plants"). Certain manufacturing
operations related to Fairchild products are also performed at National
Semiconductor plants. Similarly, certain Fairchild plants perform manufacturing
operations related to other National Semiconductor product lines.
 
   
    The accompanying combined balance sheets do not include National
Semiconductor's corporate assets or liabilities not specifically identifiable to
Fairchild. National Semiconductor performs cash management on a centralized
basis and processes related receivables and certain payables, payroll and other
activity for Fairchild. Most of these corporate systems are not designed to
track receivables, liabilities and cash receipts and payments on a business
specific basis. Accordingly, it is not practical to determine certain assets and
liabilities associated with the business; therefore, such assets and liabilities
cannot be included in the accompanying combined balance sheets. Given these
constraints, certain supplemental cash flow information is presented in lieu of
a statement of cash flows. (See Note 9.) The financial condition and cash flows
may have been significantly different if not for the centralized cash management
system of National Semiconductor. Assets and liabilities not specifically
identifiable to the Business include:
    
 
        (a) Cash, cash equivalents and investments. Activity in Fairchild cash
    balances is recorded through the equity account with National Semiconductor.
 
   
        (b) Trade accounts receivable and related distributor reserves and
    allowances for bad debts and product returns. Fairchild trade receivable
    balances are funded immediately by National Semiconductor through the equity
    account. Estimated allowances for product returns are reflected in Fairchild
    net sales.
    
 
        (c) Accounts payable related to trade purchases that are made centrally
    by National Semiconductor. Such purchases related to Fairchild are allocated
    to Fairchild through the equity account.
 
   
        (d) Accrued liabilities for corporate costs. These liabilities are
    recognized in the equity account.
    
 
   
        (e) Liabilities for employee-related expenses associated with Fairchild
    employees located at National Semiconductor plants. These liabilities are
    recognized in the equity account.
    
 
    The combined statement of operations includes all revenues and costs
attributable to the Business including an allocation of the costs of shared
facilities and overhead of National Semiconductor. In addition, certain costs
incurred at Fairchild plants for the benefit of other National Semiconductor
product lines are allocated from Fairchild to National Semiconductor.
 
    All of the allocations and estimates in the combined statements of
operations are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable
under the circumstances. However, these allocations and estimates are not
necessarily indicative of the costs that would have resulted if the Business had
been operated on a stand alone basis.
 
    Transactions between the Business and other National Semiconductor
operations have been identified in the combined statements as transactions
between related parties to the extent practicable (See Note 2).
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
FISCAL YEAR
 
    Fairchild's fiscal year ends on the Sunday on or nearest preceding May 31.
 
BASIS OF COMBINATION
 
    All significant intercompany balances and transactions within the Business
have been eliminated.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
   
    Revenue from the sale of Fairchild semiconductor products is recognized when
shipped, with a provision for estimated returns and allowances recorded at the
time of shipment.
    
 
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    Fairchild performs contract manufacturing services for National
Semiconductor. The revenues and expenses for these services are reflected at
cost in the accompanying combined statement of operations.
 
    Manufacturing costs are generally apportioned between National Semiconductor
and Fairchild product lines based upon budgeted and actual factory production
loading. Certain manufacturing costs (e.g., material costs) that are
specifically identifiable with a particular product line are charged or credited
directly without apportionment.
 
    National Semiconductor also performs manufacturing services for Fairchild
and incurs other elements of cost of sales on behalf of Fairchild, including
freight, duty, warehousing, and purchased manufacturing services from third
party vendors. The amounts charged to Fairchild for these items are summarized
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         YEARS ENDED
                                                                            -------------------------------------
                                                                              MAY 29,      MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                               1994         1995         1996
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                                        (IN MILLIONS)
Manufacturing services performed by National Semiconductor's Greenock, UK
  plant...................................................................   $    18.5    $    10.1    $    12.0
Manufacturing services performed by other National Semiconductor plants...        19.5         17.8         19.5
Purchased manufacturing services from third parties.......................        73.9         50.2         42.4
Headquarters, freight, duty, warehousing and other elements of cost of
  sales...................................................................        40.3         61.3         58.5
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             $   152.2    $   139.4    $   132.4
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Included in the above amounts transferred from National Semiconductor to
Fairchild, are costs incurred by certain centralized divisional oversight and
logistics departments referred to as NSIL. Although NSIL spending occurs in both
National Semiconductor and Fairchild sites, all such costs are considered to
have originated in National Semiconductor.
 
    A portion of manufacturing costs transferred from National Semiconductor
plants to Fairchild is capitalized into inventory at standard manufacturing cost
and is expensed to cost of sales as related
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
product sales are recognized. The remainder of manufacturing costs transferred
to Fairchild are considered period costs and are immediately recognized as cost
of sales.
 
    Other operating costs allocated from National Semiconductor plants to
Fairchild and from Fairchild plants to National Semiconductor product lines can
be summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         YEARS ENDED
                                                                            -------------------------------------
                                                                              MAY 29,      MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                               1994         1995         1996
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                                        (IN MILLIONS)
Transferred from National Semiconductor to Fairchild, at cost.............   $   112.5    $   120.9    $   108.6
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
Transferred from Fairchild to National Semiconductor, at cost.............   $    13.7    $    19.4    $    27.1
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Where it is possible to specifically identify other operating costs with the
activities of Fairchild or National Semiconductor product lines, these amounts
have been charged or credited directly to Fairchild or National Semiconductor
product lines without allocation or apportionment. Shared or common costs,
including certain general and administrative, sales and marketing, and research
and development, have been allocated from National Semiconductor's corporate
office, selling and marketing locations, and manufacturing sites to Fairchild or
from Fairchild plants to National Semiconductor product lines on a basis which
is considered to fairly and reasonably reflect the utilization of the services
provided to, or benefit obtained by, the business receiving the charge. Although
a number of different approaches are used to allocate costs, there is usually a
predominant basis for each expense category. Accordingly, research and
development expenses have been allocated primarily on dedicated research and
development spending. Selling and marketing expenses have been allocated
primarily on sales volume, and general and administrative expenses have been
allocated primarily on net assets. These cost allocations are not necessarily
indicative of the costs that would be incurred by the Business on a stand-alone
basis.
 
INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost, which approximates
actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis, or market. The main components of
inventories are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      ------------------------
                                                                                        MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                                         1995         1996
                                                                                      -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>
                                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
Raw materials.......................................................................   $     6.6    $    11.2
Work in process.....................................................................        40.2         58.1
Finished goods......................................................................        22.0         23.8
                                                                                           -----        -----
      Total Inventories.............................................................   $    68.8    $    93.1
                                                                                           -----        -----
                                                                                           -----        -----
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Effective May 29, 1995,
Fairchild changed its method of accounting for depreciation from the 150 percent
declining balance method to the straight-line method for machinery and equipment
placed in service on or after that date. The change was adopted because it
conforms with predominant industry practice and is expected to result in a more
appropriate distribution of the cost of the new machinery and equipment over its
estimated useful life. The effect of the change was a decrease in the
depreciation charge related to Fairchild property, plant and equipment of
approximately $5.4 million for fiscal year 1996. Assets placed in service prior
to fiscal year 1996 and assets other than machinery and equipment continue to be
depreciated using prior years' depreciation methods over the assets' remaining
estimated useful lives, or in the case of property under capital lease and
leasehold improvements, over the lesser of the estimated useful life or lease
term.
 
    In 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," which
requires recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the event the
carrying value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows
attributable to such assets. SFAS No. 121 will become effective in the Business'
fiscal year 1997. Adoption of SFAS No. 121 is not expected to have a material
impact on the Business' financial position or results of operations.
 
    The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            YEARS ENDED
                                                                                      ------------------------
                                                                                        MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                                         1995         1996
                                                                                      -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>
                                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
Land................................................................................   $     1.2    $     1.2
Buildings...........................................................................       115.3        133.7
Machinery and equipment.............................................................       367.2        476.2
Construction in progress............................................................        59.5         54.3
                                                                                      -----------  -----------
      Total property, plant and equipment...........................................       543.2        665.4
Less accumulated depreciation.......................................................       319.4        347.1
                                                                                      -----------  -----------
                                                                                       $   223.8    $   318.3
                                                                                      -----------  -----------
                                                                                      -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
    National Semiconductor had net interest income on a consolidated basis for
all periods presented.
Although not material, these amounts have been allocated to Fairchild on the
basis of net assets and are included in other (income) expense. Management
believes this is reasonable, but it is not necessarily indicative of the cost
that would have been incurred if the Business had been operated on a stand alone
basis.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
CURRENCIES AND FOREIGN CURRENCY INSTRUMENTS
 
    Fairchild's functional currency for all operations worldwide is the U.S.
dollar. Accordingly, gains and losses from translation of foreign currency
financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in current results. Gains
and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are also included in
current results.
 
    National Semiconductor uses forward and option contracts to hedge firm
commitments and anticipatory exposures. These exposures primarily comprise sales
of National Semiconductor's products, including Fairchild products, in
currencies other than the U.S. dollar, a majority of which are made through
National Semiconductor's subsidiaries in Europe and Japan. Gains and losses on
financial instruments that are intended to hedge an identifiable firm commitment
are deferred and included in the measurement of the underlying transaction.
Gains and losses on hedges of anticipated transactions are deferred until such
time as the underlying transactions are recognized or immediately when the
transaction is no longer expected to occur. In addition, National Semiconductor
uses forward and option contracts to hedge certain non-U.S. dollar denominated
asset and liability positions. Gains and losses on these contracts are matched
with the corresponding effect of currency movements on these financial
positions.
 
    The aggregate translation and transaction gain or loss, net of the gain or
loss from the forward currency contracts or options, is accumulated at the
corporate level by National Semiconductor and allocated to Fairchild based on
its proportionate share of worldwide net assets and is included in other income
and expense. Amounts allocated for 1994, 1995 and 1996 were not significant.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES IN PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
EMPLOYEE STOCK PLANS
 
    National Semiconductor accounts for its stock option and its employee stock
purchase plans in accordance with provisions of the Accounting Principles
Board's Opinion No. 25 ("APB 25"), ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES. In
1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123, ACCOUNTING
FOR STOCK BASED COMPENSATION. SFAS No. 123 provides an alternative approach to
APB 25 and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995.
Fairchild intends to continue to account for their employee stock plans in
accordance with the provisions of APB 25. While SFAS No. 123 will not have any
impact on the Business' reported financial position or results of operations, it
requires disclosure of the effect on income before taxes as if the alternative
approach had been adopted.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(3) ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
    The components of accrued expenses are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  YEARS ENDED
                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                              MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                               1995         1996
                                                                            -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                         <C>          <C>
                                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
Payroll and employee related accruals.....................................   $    11.8    $    13.2
Other accruals............................................................         8.4          5.7
                                                                                 -----        -----
    Total accrued expenses................................................   $    20.2    $    18.9
                                                                                 -----        -----
                                                                                 -----        -----
</TABLE>
 
   
    Payroll and employee-related accruals are comprised of all employee-related
liabilities, including employee benefit plans, associated with Fairchild
employees located at Fairchild plants.
    
 
(4) RETIREMENT PLANS
 
    Employees of Fairchild participate in several National Semiconductor
retirement, employee benefit, and incentive plans. These include (i) a profit
sharing plan, (ii) a stock bonus plan, and (iii) a salary deferral 401(k) plan.
National Semiconductor also has a stock option plan under which key employees of
Fairchild may be granted nonqualified or incentive stock options to purchase
shares of National Semiconductor common stock. In addition, National
Semiconductor has a stock purchase plan that authorizes the granting of options
and the issuance of common stock to eligible Fairchild employees. Certain key
employees and certain management of Fairchild also participate in various
incentive arrangements based on individual performance and National
Semiconductor/Fairchild profitability.
 
    Fairchild employees in Malaysia participate in a defined contribution plan.
National Semiconductor has funded accruals for this pension plan in accordance
with statutory regulations in Malaysia.
 
    Fairchild employees in the Philippines participate in a defined benefit
plan. At May 26, 1996, the plan had assets of approximately $0.3 million and an
unfunded liability of approximately $2.6 million. The minimum liability required
is not significant.
 
(5) LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
    Rental expense related to certain facilities and equipment of Fairchild
plants was $4.4 million, $3.0 million, and $4.8 million for the fiscal years
ended 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
    Future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                            <C>
1997.........................................................................    $     5.4
1998.........................................................................          5.0
1999.........................................................................          4.3
2000.........................................................................          4.2
2001.........................................................................          2.7
Thereafter...................................................................          3.3
                                                                                     -----
Total........................................................................    $    24.9
                                                                                     -----
                                                                                     -----
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(6) CONTINGENCIES
 
    National Semiconductor is currently a defendant in certain legal actions
relating to Fairchild. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such
litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the business equity or
statement of operations.
 
    National Semiconductor is also involved in certain administrative and
judicial proceedings related to certain environmental matters at Fairchild
locations. The Asset Purchase Agreement provides for National Semiconductor's
retention of certain liabilities arising out of investigative and remedial
action and environmental claims for conditions existing as of the closing at the
above referenced locations. Accordingly, based on information currently
available, management believes that the costs of these matters are not likely to
have a material adverse effect on the business equity or statement of
operations.
 
(7) BUSINESS EQUITY
 
    Business Equity represents National Semiconductor's ownership interest in
the recorded net assets of Fairchild. All cash transactions and intercompany
transactions are reflected in this amount. A summary of activity is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEARS ENDED
                                                                  -------------------------------------
                                                                    MAY 29,      MAY 28,      MAY 26,
                                                                     1994         1995         1996
                                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
Balance at beginning of period..................................   $   100.8    $   161.1    $   233.2
Revenues less expenses..........................................       125.5         74.3         72.3
Net intercompany activity.......................................       (65.2)        (2.2)        43.7
                                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                   $   161.1    $   233.2    $   349.2
                                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                  -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
(8) INDUSTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
    The Business operates in one industry segment and is engaged in the design,
development, manufacture and marketing of a wide variety of semiconductor
products for the semiconductor industry and original equipment manufacturers.
Fairchild operates in three main geographic areas. In the information that
follows, sales include local sales and exports made by operations within each
area. To control costs, a substantial portion of Fairchild's products are
transported between various Fairchild and National Semiconductor facilities in
the Americas, Asia and Europe in the process of being manufactured and sold.
Accordingly, it is not meaningful to present interlocation transfers between
Fairchild facilities on a stand alone basis. Sales to unaffiliated customers
have little correlation with the location of manufacture. It is, therefore, not
meaningful to present operating profit by geographic area.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(8) INDUSTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
    Fairchild conducts a substantial portion of its operations outside of the
U.S. and is subject to risks associated with non-U.S. operations, such as
political risks, currency controls and fluctuations, tariffs, import controls
and air transportation.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AMERICAS     EUROPE      ASIA     CONSOLIDATED
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------  -------------
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
1994
Sales to unaffiliated customers................................   $   274.8   $   142.6  $   241.5    $   658.9
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
1995
Sales to unaffiliated customers................................   $   238.2   $   149.9  $   241.5    $   629.6
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
Total assets...................................................   $   212.2   $     1.9  $   109.1    $   323.2
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
1996
Sales to unaffiliated customers................................   $   260.3   $   161.3  $   266.2    $   687.8
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
Total assets...................................................   $   267.9   $     0.8  $   164.0    $   432.7
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
                                                                 -----------  ---------  ---------       ------
</TABLE>
 
(9) SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
    As described in Note 1, National Semiconductor's cash management system is
not designed to trace centralized cash and related financing transactions to the
specific cash requirements of the Business. In addition, National
Semiconductor's corporate transaction systems are not designed to track
receivables
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
(9) SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
and certain liabilities and cash receipts and payments on a business specific
basis. Given these constraints, the following data are presented to facilitate
analysis of key components of cash flow activity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              YEARS ENDED
                                                                                    -------------------------------
                                                                                     MAY 29,    MAY 28,    MAY 26,
                                                                                      1994       1995       1996
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                                             (IN MILLIONS)
 
Operating activities:
  Revenues less expenses..........................................................  $   125.5  $    74.3  $    72.3
  Depreciation....................................................................       33.0       39.1       57.6
  Loss on disposal of equipment...................................................        2.0         .2        1.8
  Increase in inventories.........................................................       (5.9)      (7.9)     (24.3)
  Decrease (increase) in miscellaneous receivables................................        1.7       (8.0)      10.6
  Increase in other assets........................................................       (0.4)    --           (1.3)
  Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.................       (2.5)      17.4       (6.5)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash flow from operating activities, excluding National Semiconductor financing...      153.4      115.1      110.2
Investing activities:
  Capital expenditures............................................................      (88.2)    (112.9)    (153.9)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
Net financing provided to (from) National Semiconductor*..........................  $    65.2  $     2.2  $   (43.7)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   The difference between cash flow from operating activities and investing
    activities does not necessarily represent the cash flows of the Business, or
    the timing of such cash flows, had it operated on a stand alone basis.
 
   
(10) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
    
 
   
    National Semiconductor formed two new entities, Fairchild Semiconductor
Corporation ("the Company") and FSC Semiconductor Corporation ("Fairchild
Holdings") on February 10, 1997 and March 10, 1997, respectively. Fairchild
Semiconductor Limited, Fairchild Semiconductor GmbH, Fairchild Semiconductor
Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Fairchild Semiconductor (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Fairchild
Semiconductor Hong Kong Limited, Fairchild Semiconductor Hong Kong (Holdings)
Limited, Fairchild Semiconductor Japan K.K. and Fairchild Semiconductor S.r.l.
(collectively, the "foreign subsidiaries") were also formed as wholly owned
subsidiaries of the Company. On March 11, 1997, National Semiconductor
consummated an Agreement and Plan of Recapitalization under which the following
transactions occurred:
    
 
   
    (i) National Semiconductor, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement,
       transferred all of the assets and liabilities of the Business to the
       Company and its subsidiaries in exchange for demand purchase notes of the
       Company and the foreign subsidiaries in the aggregate principal amount of
       $401.6 million (the "Purchase Price Notes");
    
 
    (ii) National Semiconductor transferred all of the capital stock of
       Fairchild and approximately $12.8 million in cash to Fairchild Holdings
       in exchange for shares of 12% Series A Cumulative
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
   
(10) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
    
       Compounding Preferred Stock of Fairchild Holdings ("Holdings Redeemable
       Preferred Stock"), common stock of Fairchild Holdings ("Holdings Common
       Stock") and a promissory note of Fairchild Holdings in the principal
       amount of approximately $77.0 million ("Holdings PIK Note");
 
   
    (iii) Fairchild Holdings issued (a) to Sterling Holding Company, LLC
       ("Sterling") shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings Common Stock
       for approximately $58.5 million in cash and (b) to Kirk P. Pond and
       Joseph R. Martin, together with certain other key employees of the
       Company (the "Management Investors"), Holdings Preferred Stock and
       Holdings Common Stock for approximately $6.5 million in cash;
    
 
   
    (iv) the Company Holdings contributed cash in the amount of approximately
       $77.8 million to the capital of the Company;
    
 
   
    (v) Fairchild borrowed $120.0 million under the term bank loans and received
       net proceeds from the issuance of $300.0 million of 10 1/8% Senior
       Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Notes") to settle the Purchase Price
       Notes and provide the Company with working capital.
    
 
   
    The transactions will be accounted for as a recapitalization, and therefore
the assets and liabilities of the Company will be carried over at cost. The pro
forma unaudited combined condensed balance sheet of the Company as of February
23, 1997 and the pro forma unaudited combined condensed results of operations
for the year ended 1996 adjusted to give effect to the transactions is presented
in the Pro Forma Financial Statements, included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    
 
    The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Fairchild Holdings.
Fairchild Holdings currently conducts no business and has no significant assets
other than the capital stock of the Company, all of which has been pledged to
secure Fairchild Holdings' obligations under the term bank loans. Thus,
currently there are no resources supporting Fairchild Holdings' guarantee of the
Notes that are in addition to those to which holders of the Notes already have
access as direct creditors of the Company.
 
    Although the Company's U.S. operations are owned directly, its foreign
operations are conducted through the foreign subsidiaries. The foreign
subsidiaries have not guaranteed or otherwise become obligated with respect to
the Notes. The Notes will therefore be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future liabilities, including indebtedness, of the foreign subsidiaries.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
   
(10) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
    
    The following unaudited pro forma combining condensed balance sheet of
Fairchild Holdings is based on the historical financial statements of the
business adjusted to give effect to the transactions and should be read in
conjunction with the Pro Forma Financial Statements included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PRO FORMA FEBRUARY 23, 1997
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>
                                                        FAIRCHILD          THE       FOREIGN                    COMBINED
                                                         HOLDINGS      COMPANY   SUBSIDIARIES   ELIMINATIONS       TOTAL
                                                       -----------  -----------       ------    ------------  -----------
Total current assets.................................   $  --        $   136.7     $    10.6     $   --        $   147.3
Property, plant and equipment........................      --            216.6          87.2         --            303.8
Deferred income taxes................................      --             25.0        --             --             25.0
Other assets.........................................      --             21.3           0.2         --             21.5
Investment in subsidiaries...........................       154.8         98.2        --             (253.0)      --
                                                       -----------  -----------        -----    ------------  -----------
  Total assets.......................................   $   154.8    $   497.8     $    98.0     $   (253.0)   $   497.6
                                                       -----------  -----------        -----    ------------  -----------
                                                       -----------  -----------        -----    ------------  -----------
Current liabilities..................................   $  --        $    49.7     $    24.9     $   --        $    74.6
Long term bank debt, less current portion............      --            109.0        --             --            109.0
Senior Subordinated Notes............................      --            300.0        --             --            300.0
Holdings PIK Note....................................        77.0       --            --             --             77.0
                                                       -----------  -----------        -----    ------------  -----------
  Total liabilities..................................        77.0        458.7          24.9         --            560.6
Holdings Redeemable Preferred Stock..................        70.0       --            --             --             70.0
 
Stockholder's equity:
Holdings Common Stock................................         7.8       --            --             --              7.8
Fairchild common stock...............................      --           --            --             --           --
Due to parent........................................      --             39.1          73.1         (253.0)      (140.8)
                                                       -----------  -----------        -----    ------------  -----------
  Total Stockholder's equity.........................         7.8         39.1          73.1         (253.0)      (133.0)
  Total liabilities, Holdings Redeemable Preferred
    Stock and stockholder's equity...................   $   154.8    $   497.8     $    98.0     $   (253.0)   $   497.6
                                                       -----------  -----------        -----    ------------  -----------
                                                       -----------  -----------        -----    ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The unaudited pro forma combined total above is substantially identical to
the Pro Forma Financial Statements except for the inclusion of the Holdings PIK
Note of $77.0 million, the Holdings Redeemable Preferred Stock and the Holdings
Common Stock. The Holdings PIK Note is due in 2008 and bears interest at an
annual interest rate of 11.74%. The Holdings Redeemable Preferred Stock pays
cumulative dividends at a rate of 12% per annum and is mandatorily redeemable in
2009. Fairchild Holdings may optionally redeem, in whole or in part, the
Holdings Preferred Stock at any time at a price per share of $1,000, plus
accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.
    
 
   
    The unaudited pro forma combined results of operations of Fairchild Holdings
would differ from the pro forma combined condensed results of operations of
Fairchild presented elsewhere in this Prospectus only by the amount of interest
on the Holdings PIK Note, which will be added to the principal amount of the
Holdings PIK Note.
    
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                         MAY 28, 1995 AND MAY 26, 1996
 
   
(10) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
    
   
    Summarized historical operating activity for the U.S. operations of the
Business, which were transferred to the Company, and the foreign operations of
the Business, which were transferred to the foreign subsidiaries, for each of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, can be summarized as
follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1994       1995       1996
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenue:
  U.S. operations (the Company)--Trade............................................  $   274.8  $   238.2  $   260.3
  U.S. operations (the Company)--Intercompany.....................................      611.3      866.2      948.4
  Foreign operations (foreign subsidiaries)--Trade................................      384.1      391.4      427.5
  Foreign operations (foreign subsidiaries)--Intercompany.........................      423.4       68.5       65.1
  Eliminations....................................................................    (1034.7)    (934.7)   (1013.5)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total.........................................................................  $   658.9  $   629.6  $   687.8
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses before other (income) and taxes:
  U.S. operations (the Company)...................................................  $   168.8  $   200.2  $   232.9
  Foreign operations (foreign subsidiaries).......................................      (22.0)    (109.1)    (144.9)
  Eliminations....................................................................      (23.2)     (18.6)     (17.2)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total.........................................................................  $   123.6  $    72.5  $    70.8
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Revenue less direct and allocated expenses:
  U.S. operations (the Company)...................................................  $   165.4  $   194.2  $   225.5
  Foreign operations (foreign subsidiaries).......................................      (16.7)    (101.3)    (136.0)
  Eliminations....................................................................      (23.2)     (18.6)     (17.2)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total.........................................................................  $   125.5  $    74.3  $    72.3
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
    Intercompany amounts included in revenue above are comprised of sales
between domestic and foreign operations and sales between plants which are
located in the same geographic region.
 
   
    Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Company was a wholly owned
subsidiary of Fairchild Holdings and Fairchild Holdings was owned 15% by
National Semiconductor, 69% by Sterling and 16% by the Management Investors.
    
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                             COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 FEBRUARY 23, 1997
                                                                                                 -----------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>
                                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
    Inventories................................................................................      $    67.3
    Prepaid expenses and other.................................................................            8.6
    Miscellaneous receivables..................................................................            9.6
                                                                                                        ------
        Total current assets...................................................................           85.5
Property, plant and equipment, net.............................................................          303.8
Other assets...................................................................................            0.9
                                                                                                        ------
        Total assets...........................................................................      $   390.2
                                                                                                        ------
                                                                                                        ------
                                         LIABILITIES AND BUSINESS EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable...........................................................................      $    41.3
    Accrued expenses...........................................................................           21.1
    Special reserves...........................................................................           13.8
                                                                                                        ------
        Total current liabilities..............................................................           76.2
Commitments....................................................................................         --
Business equity................................................................................          314.0
                                                                                                        ------
        Total liabilities and business equity..................................................      $   390.2
                                                                                                        ------
                                                                                                        ------
</TABLE>
 
            See accompanying notes to unaudited combined statements.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                       ----------------------------
                                                                                       FEBRUARY 25,   FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                           1996           1997
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>            <C>
                                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
Revenue:
    Net sales--trade.................................................................    $   532.9      $   433.9
    Contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor...................................         63.7           75.8
                                                                                            ------         ------
        Total revenue................................................................        596.6          509.7
 
Direct and allocated costs and expenses:
    Cost of sales....................................................................        356.5          332.4
    Cost of contract manufacturing--National Semiconductor...........................         63.7           75.8
    Research and development.........................................................         22.7           13.6
    Selling and marketing............................................................         50.0           33.5
    General and administrative.......................................................         37.6           39.1
    Restructuring....................................................................       --                5.3
                                                                                            ------         ------
        Total operating costs and expenses...........................................        530.5          499.7
                                                                                            ------         ------
                                                                                              66.1           10.0
Other (income) expense...............................................................         (1.5)           0.4
                                                                                            ------         ------
Revenues less direct and allocated expenses before taxes.............................    $    67.6      $     9.6
                                                                                            ------         ------
                                                                                            ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
            See accompanying notes to unaudited combined statements.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                     NOTES TO UNAUDITED COMBINED STATEMENTS
 
                    FEBRUARY 25, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 23, 1997
 
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    The unaudited combined statements as of February 23, 1997 and for the nine
months ended February 25, 1996 and February 23, 1997 should be read in
conjunction with Note 1 (Basis of Presentation), Note 2 (Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies), Note 6 (Contingencies) and Note 10 (Subsequent Event)
included in the audited 1996 combined statements of the Fairchild Semiconductor
Business of National Semiconductor Corporation (the Business). Other notes
considered by management to be relevant to the accompanying unaudited combined
statements are included herein.
 
    The unaudited combined statements for the Business are based principally on
National Semiconductor Corporation's (National Semiconductor) internal results
and, in the opinion of management, reflect, consistent with the audited 1996
statements, appropriate adjustments to more closely present the results of
operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
(2) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    As discussed in Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) of the
audited 1996 combined statements of the Business, certain costs are allocated
from National Semiconductor to Fairchild. The amounts charged to Fairchild from
National Semiconductor for manufacturing services and other elements of cost of
sales are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                    --------------------------
                                                                    FEBRUARY 25   FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                        1996          1997
                                                                    ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
                                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
 
Manufacturing services performed by National Semiconductor's
  Greenock, UK plant..............................................   $      6.6    $       --
Manufacturing services performed by other National Semiconductor
  plants..........................................................         21.9          11.8
Purchased manufacturing services from third parties...............         34.4          20.0
Headquarters, freight, duty, warehousing and other elements of
  cost of sales...................................................         41.6          36.4
                                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                                     $    104.5    $     68.2
                                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                                    ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
               NOTES TO UNAUDITED COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                    FEBRUARY 25, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 23, 1997
 
(2) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
    Other operating costs allocated from National Semiconductor plants to
Fairchild and from Fairchild plants to National Semiconductor product lines can
be summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                    ----------------------------
                                                                    FEBRUARY 25,   FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                        1996           1997
                                                                    -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>
                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
 
Transferred from National Semiconductor to Fairchild, at cost.....    $    97.9      $    60.6
                                                                          -----          -----
                                                                          -----          -----
Transferred from Fairchild to National Semiconductor, at cost.....    $    19.7      $     9.2
                                                                          -----          -----
                                                                          -----          -----
</TABLE>
 
(3) INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost, which approximates
actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis, or market. The main components of
inventories are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                                1997
                                                                                            -------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
                                                                                            (IN MILLIONS)
 
Raw materials.............................................................................    $     7.5
Work in process...........................................................................         42.1
Finished goods............................................................................         17.7
                                                                                                  -----
    Total inventories.....................................................................    $    67.3
                                                                                                  -----
                                                                                                  -----
</TABLE>
 
(4) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                                1997
                                                                                            -------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
                                                                                            (IN MILLIONS)
Land......................................................................................    $     1.2
Buildings.................................................................................        137.5
Machinery and equipment...................................................................        511.5
Construction in progress..................................................................         29.5
                                                                                                 ------
      Total property, plant and equipment.................................................        679.7
 
Less accumulated depreciation.............................................................        375.9
                                                                                                 ------
                                                                                              $   303.8
                                                                                                 ------
                                                                                                 ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
               NOTES TO UNAUDITED COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                    FEBRUARY 25, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 23, 1997
 
(5) ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
    The components of accrued expenses are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                                 1997
                                                                                            ---------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
                                                                                             (IN MILLIONS)
Payroll and employee related accruals.....................................................     $    15.3
Other accruals............................................................................           5.8
                                                                                                   -----
      Total accrued expenses..............................................................     $    21.1
                                                                                                   -----
                                                                                                   -----
</TABLE>
 
(6) LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
    Rental expense related to certain facilities and equipment of Fairchild
plants was $3.5 million, and $3.8 million for the nine months ended February 25,
1996 and February 23, 1997, respectively.
 
    Future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
 
<S>                                                                               <C>
Fiscal years ended:
  1997 (three months ending)....................................................    $     1.4
  1998..........................................................................          5.0
  1999..........................................................................          4.3
  2000..........................................................................          4.2
  2001..........................................................................          2.7
  Thereafter....................................................................          3.3
                                                                                        -----
      Total.....................................................................    $    20.9
                                                                                        -----
                                                                                        -----
</TABLE>
 
(7) BUSINESS EQUITY
 
    Business Equity represents National Semiconductor's ownership interest in
the recorded net assets of Fairchild. All cash transactions and intercompany
transactions flow through the equity account. A summary of activity is as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                          FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                              1997
                                                                                        -----------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>
                                                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
Balance at beginning of period........................................................      $   349.2
Revenue less expenses.................................................................            9.6
Net intercompany activity.............................................................          (44.8)
                                                                                               ------
                                                                                            $   314.0
                                                                                               ------
                                                                                               ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                  FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS OF NATIONAL
                           SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
               NOTES TO UNAUDITED COMBINED STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                    FEBRUARY 25, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 23, 1997
 
(8) GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
    In the nine months ended February 23, 1997, the Business recorded $14.1
million of retention and incentive bonuses in general and administrative
expenses. In the nine months ended February 23, 1997, $300,000 of these bonuses
were paid. The remaining $13.8 million is recorded on the balance sheet as
special reserves.
 
(9) RESTRUCTURING
 
    In June 1996, National Semiconductor announced a restructuring of its
operations and the intent to pursue a sale or partial financing of the Business.
In connection with the restructuring, the Business recorded a $5.3 million
non-recurring charge related to work force reductions. In the nine months ended
February 23, 1997, $5.3 million of severance was paid to terminated employees.
 
(10) SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
    As described in Note 1 to the audited 1996 statements of Fairchild, National
Semiconductor's cash management system is not designed to trace centralized cash
and related financing transactions to the specific cash requirements of the
Business. In addition, National Semiconductor's corporate transaction systems
are not designed to track receivables and certain liabilities and cash receipts
and payments on a business specific basis. Given these constraints, the
following data are presented to facilitate analysis of key components of cash
flow activity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                              ---------------------------
                                                                              FEBRUARY 25,  FEBRUARY 23,
                                                                                  1996          1997
                                                                              ------------  -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>           <C>
                                                                                     (IN MILLIONS)
Operating activities:
    Revenue less expenses...................................................   $     67.6     $     9.6
    Depreciation............................................................         40.5          50.8
    Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment.......................          0.6           0.4
    Decrease (increase) in inventories......................................        (27.5)         25.8
    Decrease (increase) in miscellaneous receivables........................          9.3        --
    Decrease (increase) in other assets.....................................          1.2           2.2
    Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.........        (14.6)        (21.1)
    Increase in special reserves............................................       --              13.8
                                                                              ------------       ------
 
Cash flow from operating activities, excluding National Semiconductor
  financing.................................................................         77.1          81.5
Investing activities:
    Capital expenditures....................................................       (120.7)        (33.4)
    Transfers of capital equipment from National Semiconductor..............       --              (3.3)
                                                                              ------------       ------
Net financing provided to (from) National Semiconductor*....................   $    (43.6)    $    44.8
                                                                              ------------       ------
                                                                              ------------       ------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   The difference between cash flow from operating activities and investing
    activities does not necessarily represent the cash flows of the Business, or
    the timing of such cash flows, had it operated on a stand alone basis.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
   
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
    
 
   
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
FSC Semiconductor Corporation
    
 
   
    We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of FSC Semiconductor
Corporation (Fairchild Holdings) as of March 10, 1997. This financial statement
is the responsibility of Fairchild Holdings' management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
    
 
   
    We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material
misstatement. An audit of a balance sheet includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet. An audit
of a balance sheet also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit of the balance sheet
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
    
 
   
    In our opinion the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of FSC Semiconductor Corporation as of
March 10, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
 
   
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
    
 
   
San Jose, California
    
 
   
June 20, 1997
    
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
   
                         FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    
 
   
                                 BALANCE SHEET
    
 
   
                                 MARCH 10, 1997
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
                                              ASSETS
 
Current assets.........................................................................  $       0
                                                                                                --
    Total assets.......................................................................  $       0
                                                                                                --
                                                                                                --
 
                LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK, AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
Current liabilities....................................................................  $       0
    Total liabilities..................................................................          0
 
Redeemable Preferred Stock (12% Series A Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock, $.01
  par value, $1,000 stated value--authorized 70,000 shares; none outstanding)..........          0
 
Stockholder's equity (Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, voting--authorized
                     30,000,000 shares; none outstanding
                  Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, non voting--authorized
                     30,000,000 shares; none outstanding)..............................          0
                                                                                                --
    Total stockholder's equity.........................................................          0
                                                                                                --
    Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and stockholder's equity.............  $       0
                                                                                                --
                                                                                                --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                    See accompanying notes to balance sheet.
    
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
   
                         FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    
 
   
                             NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET
    
 
   
                                 MARCH 10, 1997
    
 
   
(1) ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
    
 
   
    FSC Semiconductor Corporation (Fairchild Holdings) was incorporated on March
10, 1997 with the objective of acquiring the Fairchild Semiconductor Business
(the Business) of National Semiconductor Corporation (National Semiconductor).
    
 
   
    Fairchild Holdings had no operations on March 10.
    
 
   
(2) REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
    
 
   
    The Fairchild Holdings Certificate of Incorporation provides that Fairchild
Holdings may issue 70,000 shares of Holdings Preferred Stock at a par value of
$.01, all of which are designated as 12% Series A Cumulative Compounding
Preferred Stock. Holdings Preferred Stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share
and is entitled to annual dividends when, as and if declared, which dividends
will be cumulative, whether or not earned or declared, and will accrue at a rate
of 12%, compounding annually. As of March 10, 1997, no shares were issued or
outstanding.
    
 
   
    The Redeemable Preferred Stock is manditorily redeemable in 2009. Fairchild
Holdings may optionally redeem, in whole or in part, the Redeemable Preferred
Stock at any time at a price per share of $1,000, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends to the date of redemption.
    
 
   
    At the option of Fairchild Holdings, the Holdings Preferred Stock may be
exchanged for junior subordinated debentures of Fairchild Holdings. The face
value of such junior subordinated debentures shall be $1,000 per share. Their
maturity date will be the same as the mandatory redemption date of the Holdings
Preferred Stock, and they shall bear interest at a rate equal to the lesser of
12% and the maximum interest rate permitted to be deducted as accrued under the
relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    
 
   
(3) STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
    
 
   
    The Certificate of Incorporation of Fairchild Holdings provides that
Fairchild Holdings may issue 60,000,000 shares of Holdings Common Stock at a par
value of $.01 per share, divided into two classes consisting of 30,000,000
shares of Holdings Class A Stock and 30,000,000 shares of Holdings Class B
Stock. The holders of Holdings Class A Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.
Except as required by law, the holders of Holdings Class B Stock have no voting
rights. Under the Certificate of Incorporation of Fairchild Holdings, a holder
of either class of Holdings Common Stock may convert any or all of his shares
into an equal number of shares of the other class of Holdings Common Stock;
PROVIDED that in the case of a conversion from Holdings Class B Stock, which is
nonvoting, into Holdings Class A Stock, which is voting, such conversion would
be permitted only to the extent that the holder of shares to be converted would
be permitted under applicable law to hold the total number of shares of Holdings
Class A Stock which would be held after giving effect to the conversion. As of
March 10, 1997, no shares were issued or outstanding.
    
 
   
(4) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
    
 
   
    National Semiconductor formed two new entities, Fairchild Semiconductor
Corporation ("Fairchild") and FSC Semiconductor Corporation ("Fairchild
Holdings") on February 10, 1997 and March 10, 1997,
    
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
   
                         FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    
 
   
                             NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET
    
 
   
                                 MARCH 10, 1997
    
 
   
(4) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
    
   
respectively. On March 11, 1997, National Semiconductor consummated an Agreement
and Plan of Recapitalization under which the following transactions occurred:
    
 
   
    (i) National Semiconductor, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement,
       transferred all of the assets and liabilities of the Business to
       Fairchild and its subsidiaries in exchange for demand purchase notes of
       Fairchild and its subsidiaries in the aggregate principal amount of
       $401.6 million (the "Purchase Price Notes");
    
 
   
    (ii) National Semiconductor transferred all of the capital stock of
       Fairchild and approximately $12.8 million in cash to Fairchild Holdings
       in exchange for shares of 12% Series A Cumulative Compounding Preferred
       Stock of Fairchild Holdings ("Holdings Redeemable Preferred Stock"),
       common stock of Fairchild Holdings ("Holdings Common Stock") and a
       promissory note of Fairchild Holdings in the principal amount of
       approximately $77.0 million ("Holdings PIK Note");
    
 
   
    (iii) Fairchild Holdings issued (a) to Sterling Holding Company, LLC
       ("Sterling") shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings Common Stock
       for approximately $58.5 million in cash and (b) to Kirk P. Pond and
       Joseph R. Martin, together with certain other key employees of Fairchild
       (the "Management Investors"), Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings
       Common Stock for approximately $6.5 million in cash;
    
 
   
    (iv) Fairchild Holdings contributed cash in the amount of approximately
       $77.8 million to the capital of the Company;
    
 
   
    (v) Fairchild borrowed $120.0 million under the term bank loans and received
       net proceeds from the issuance of $300.0 million of 10 1/8% Senior
       Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Notes") to settle the Purchase Price
       Notes and provide Fairchild with working capital.
    
 
   
    The transactions will be accounted for as a recapitalization, and therefore
the assets and liabilities of Fairchild will be carried over at cost.
    
 
   
    The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Fairchild Holdings.
Fairchild Holdings currently conducts no business and has no significant assets
other than the capital stock of the Company, all of which has been pledged to
secure Fairchild Holdings' obligations under the term bank loans. Thus,
currently there are no resources supporting Fairchild Holdings' guarantee of the
Notes that are in addition to those to which holders of the Notes already have
access as direct creditors of the Company.
    
 
   
    Upon consummation of the Transactions, Fairchild was a wholly owned
subsidiary of Fairchild Holdings and Fairchild Holdings was owned 15% by
National Semiconductor, 69% by Sterling and 16% by the Management Investors.
    
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
 
    No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus, and,
if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having been authorized. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or
a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than those to which it
relates, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer
to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such solicitation is
unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder
shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no
change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the
information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date
hereof.
                                 --------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Page
                                                  ---------
<S>                                               <C>
Available Information...........................          2
Summary.........................................          3
Risk Factors....................................         16
Use of Proceeds.................................         24
Pro Forma Capitalization........................         24
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
  Statements....................................         25
Selected Combined Financial Data................         30
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations....................................         31
The Exchange Offer..............................         39
Industry Overview...............................         46
Business........................................         50
The Transactions................................         60
Management......................................         64
Ownership of Capital Stock......................         71
Description of Certain Indebtedness.............         74
Description of the Notes........................         78
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.........        111
Plan of Distribution............................        112
Legal Matters...................................        112
Experts.........................................        112
Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking
  Statements....................................        113
Glossary........................................        G-1
Index to Financial Statements...................        F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
                                 --------------
 
    Until            all dealers effecting transactions in the Notes, whether or
not participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a Prospectus.
This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when
acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions.
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                  $300,000,000
                          10 1/8% Senior Subordinated
                                 Notes Due 2007
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides in relevant
part that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against 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 if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe
such person's conduct was unlawful.
 
    In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation
unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court
in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of
the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem
proper.
 
    Section 145 further provides that nothing in the above-described provisions
shall be deemed exclusive of any other rights to indemnification or advancement
of expenses to which any person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote
of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
 
    The Bylaws of the Company provide for the indemnification of any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that such person is or
was a director or officer of the Company or a constituent corporation absorbed
in a consolidation or merger, or is or was serving at the request of the Company
or a constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or merger, as a
director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or is or was a director or officer of the Company serving at
its request as an administrator, trustee or other fiduciary of one or more of
the employee benefit plans of the Company or other enterprise, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), liability and loss actually and reasonably incurred
or suffered by such person in connection with such proceeding, whether or not
the indemnified liability arises or arose from any threatened, pending or
completed proceeding by or in the right of the Company, except to the extent
that such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law. The Bylaws of the
Company also provide that such indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled as a matter of law
or under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or otherwise.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
    Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation may in its certificate of incorporation eliminate or limit the
personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for
liability: for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation
or its stockholders; for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; under Section 174 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law (pertaining to certain prohibited acts
including unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful purchase or redemption of
the corporation's capital stock); or for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit. The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company contains a provision so limiting the personal liability of directors of
the Company.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
    (a) Exhibits:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                               DESCRIPTION
- -----------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>
 
      2.01   Agreement and Plan of Recapitalization dated January 24, 1997 between Sterling Holding Company, LLC
             ("Sterling") and National Semiconductor Corporation ("National Semiconductor").+
 
      2.02   Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of March 11, 1997 between the Company and National Semiconductor.+
 
      3.01   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.+
 
      3.02   Bylaws of the Company.+
 
      3.03   Certificate of Incorporation of Fairchild Holdings.+
 
      3.04   Bylaws of Fairchild Holdings.+
 
      4.01   Indenture dated as of March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, as Guarantor and United
             States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.+
 
      4.02   Registration Rights Agreement dated March 6, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, as
             Guarantor, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, BT Securities Corporation and CIBC Wood Gundy
             Securities Corp.+
 
      4.03   Form of 10-1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (included in Exhibit 4.01).+
 
     5.01**  Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads.
 
   10.01***  Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and
             the Company.
 
     10.02   Transition Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the Company.+
 
   10.03***  Fairchild Foundry Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
 
   10.04***  Revenue Side Letter dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the Company.
 
   10.05***  Fairchild Assembly Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
 
   10.06***  National Foundry Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
 
   10.07***  National Assembly Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                               DESCRIPTION
- -----------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>
   10.08***  Mil/Aero Wafer and Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
 
     10.09   Shared Services Agreement (South Portland) dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and
             the Company.+
 
     10.10   Credit Agreement dated March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, Various Banks, Bankers
             Trust Company, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.+
 
   10.11***  Corporate Agreement dated February 20, 1992 between Torex Semiconductor Ltd. and National
             Semiconductor.
 
   10.12***  Assembly/Test Subcontract Agreement dated January 9, 1997 between NS Electronics Bangkok (1993) Ltd.
             and National Semiconductor.
 
   10.13***  Supply Agreement dated January 20, 1996 between National Semiconductor and Dynacraft Industries Sdn.
             Bhd.
 
   10.14***  Licensing and Manufacturing Agreement dated April 27, 1990 between National Semiconductor and
             Waferscale Integration, Inc.
 
     10.15   Qualified Titles Corresponding to Registry Title Nos. 19, 44 and 3400-Mk 12 from the State of Penang,
             Malaysia and corresponding Sale and Puchase Agreements, each dated March 11, 1997, between National
             Semiconductor Sdn. Bhd. and Fairchild Semiconductor Sdn. Bhd.+
 
     10.16   Lease Agreement dated October 10, 1979 between Export Processing Zone Authority and Fairchild
             Semiconductor (Honk Kong) Limited, and Supplemental Agreements thereto dated May 1, 1982; December
             12, 1983; August 17, 1984; March 10, 1987; February 16, 1990; August 25, 1994; May 29, 1995; June 7,
             1995; November 9, 1995; and October 24, 1996.+
 
     10.17   Lease for Santa Clara Facilities dated as of March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.+
 
     10.18   Shared Facilities Agreement (South Portland) dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and
             the Company.+
 
     10.19   Environmental Side Letter dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the Company.+
 
     10.20   Master Sublease Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the Company and
             Master Lease Agreement dated December 13, 1994 between General Electric Capital Corporation and
             National Semiconductor.+
 
     10.21   Fairchild NSC Deferred Compensation Plan Trust established effective March 11, 1997.+
 
     10.22   Fairchild NSC Deferred Compensation Plan assumed and continued, effective March 11, 1997 (included as
             Schedule A to Exhibit 10.21).+
 
     10.23   Fairchild Benefit Restoration Plan.+
 
     10.24   Fairchild Incentive Plan.+
 
     10.25   FSC Semiconductor Corporation Executive Officer Incentive Plan.+
 
     10.26   FSC Semiconductor Corporation Stock Option Plan.+
 
     10.27   Employment Agreement dated March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, Sterling and Kirk P.
             Pond.+
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                      II-3
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                               DESCRIPTION
- -----------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>
     10.28   Employment Agreement dated March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, Sterling and Joseph
             R. Martin.+
 
     12.01   Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.+
 
     21.01   Subsidiaries of the Company.+
 
    23.01**  Consent of Dechert Price & Rhoads (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.01).
 
     23.02   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to the Company.
 
     23.03   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to Fairchild Holdings.
 
     24.01   Power of Attorney.+
 
     25.01   Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of United States Trust Company of New York on Form T-1.+
 
     27.01   Financial Data Schedule for the Company.+
 
     27.02   Financial Data Schedule for Fairchild Holdings.
 
     99.01   Form of Letter of Transmittal.
 
     99.02   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.+
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
+   Previously filed.
    
 
   
**  To be supplied by amendment.
    
 
   
*** Omitted in accordance with an application for confidential treatment filed
    with the Commission.
    
 
    (b) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
    Schedules not listed above are omitted because of the absence of the
conditions under which they are required or because the information required by
such omitted schedules is set forth in the financial statements or the notes
thereto.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    (a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
 
        (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
    a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
            (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
       Securities Act of 1933;
 
            (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
       the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
       post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
       aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
       the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase
       or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
       securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
       deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering
       range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
       Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
       volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
       aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
       Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
           (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
       distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
       any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
        (2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
    Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
    to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
    therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
    be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
 
        (3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
    any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
    termination of the offering.
 
    (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
    (c) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.
 
    (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
below-named Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of South Portland, State of Maine, on the 24th day of
June, 1997.
    
 
   
                                FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                                By:  DANIEL E. BOXER
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Daniel E. Boxer
                                     Executive Vice President,
                                     General Counsel and Secretary
 
    
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities indicated on June 24, 1997.
    
 
          SIGNATURE                               TITLE
- ------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
 
              *                 Chairman of the Board of Directors,
- ------------------------------  President and Chief Executive Officer
         Kirk P. Pond           (principal executive officer)
 
              *                 Executive Vice President,
- ------------------------------  Chief Financial Officer and Director
       Joseph R. Martin         (principal financial and accounting
                                officer)
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
        Brian L. Halla
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
       William N. Stout
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
    Richard M. Cashin, Jr.
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
      Paul C. Schorr IV
 
   
*          DANIEL E. BOXER
By:   -------------------------
           Daniel E. Boxer
          ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
below-named Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of South Portland, State of Maine, on the 24th day of
June, 1997.
    
 
   
                                FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                                By:  DANIEL E. BOXER
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Daniel E. Boxer
                                     Executive Vice President,
                                     General Counsel and Secretary
 
    
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities indicated on June 24, 1997.
    
 
          SIGNATURE                               TITLE
- ------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
 
              *                 Chairman of the Board of Directors,
- ------------------------------  President and Chief Executive Officer
         Kirk P. Pond           (principal executive officer)
 
              *                 Executive Vice President,
- ------------------------------  Chief Financial Officer and Director
       Joseph R. Martin         (principal financial and accounting
                                officer)
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
        Brian L. Halla
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
       William N. Stout
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
    Richard M. Cashin, Jr.
 
              *                 Director
- ------------------------------
      Paul C. Schorr IV
 
   
*          DANIEL E. BOXER
By:   -------------------------
           Daniel E. Boxer
          ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
    
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                            DESCRIPTION                                                PAGE
- -----------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<C>          <S>                                                                                               <C>
    2.01     Agreement and Plan of Recapitalization dated January 24, 1997 between Sterling Holding Company,
             LLC ("Sterling") and National Semiconductor Corporation ("National Semiconductor").+
    2.02     Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of March 11, 1997 between the Company and National
             Semiconductor.+
    3.01     Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.+
    3.02     Bylaws of the Company.+
    3.03     Certificate of Incorporation of Fairchild Holdings.+
    3.04     Bylaws of Fairchild Holdings.+
    4.01     Indenture dated as of March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, as Guarantor and
             United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.+
    4.02     Registration Rights Agreement dated March 6, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, as
             Guarantor, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, BT Securities Corporation and CIBC Wood Gundy
             Securities Corp.+
    4.03     Form of 10-1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (included in Exhibit 4.01).+
    5.01**   Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads.
   10.01***  Technology Licensing and Transfer Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor
             and the Company.
   10.02     Transition Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.+
   10.03***  Fairchild Foundry Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
   10.04***  Revenue Side Letter dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the Company.
   10.05***  Fairchild Assembly Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and
             the Company.
   10.06***  National Foundry Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
   10.07***  National Assembly Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the
             Company.
   10.08***  Mil/Aero Wafer and Services Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and
             the Company.
   10.09     Shared Services Agreement (South Portland) dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor
             and the Company.+
   10.10     Credit Agreement dated March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, Various Banks,
             Bankers Trust Company, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Canadian Imperial Bank of
             Commerce.+
   10.11***  Corporate Agreement dated February 20, 1992 between Torex Semiconductor Ltd. and National
             Semiconductor.
   10.12***  Assembly/Test Subcontract Agreement dated January 9, 1997 between NS Electronics Bangkok (1993)
             Ltd. and National Semiconductor.
   10.13***  Supply Agreement dated January 20, 1996 between National Semiconductor and Dynacraft Industries
             Sdn. Bhd.
   10.14***  Licensing and Manufacturing Agreement dated April 27, 1990 between National Semiconductor and
             Waferscale Integration, Inc.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                            DESCRIPTION                                                PAGE
- -----------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<C>          <S>                                                                                               <C>
   10.15     Qualified Titles Corresponding to Registry Title Nos. 19, 44 and 3400-Mk 12 from the State of
             Penang, Malaysia and corresponding Sale and Puchase Agreements, each dated March 11, 1997,
             between National Semiconductor Sdn. Bhd. and Fairchild Semiconductor Sdn. Bhd.+
   10.16     Lease Agreement dated October 10, 1979 between Export Processing Zone Authority and Fairchild
             Semiconductor (Honk Kong) Limited, and Supplemental Agreements thereto dated May 1, 1982;
             December 12, 1983; August 17, 1984; March 10, 1987; February 16, 1990; August 25, 1994; May 29,
             1995; June 7, 1995; November 9, 1995; and October 24, 1996.+
   10.17     Lease for Santa Clara Facilities dated as of March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and
             the Company.+
   10.18     Shared Facilities Agreement (South Portland) dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor
             and the Company.+
   10.19     Environmental Side Letter dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the Company.+
   10.20     Master Sublease Agreement dated March 11, 1997 between National Semiconductor and the Company
             and Master Lease Agreement dated December 13, 1994 between General Electric Capital Corporation
             and National Semiconductor.+
   10.21     Fairchild NSC Deferred Compensation Plan Trust established effective March 11, 1997.+
   10.22     Fairchild NSC Deferred Compensation Plan assumed and continued, effective March 11, 1997
             (included as Schedule A to Exhibit 10.21).+
   10.23     Fairchild Benefit Restoration Plan.+
   10.24     Fairchild Incentive Plan.+
   10.25     FSC Semiconductor Corporation Executive Officer Incentive Plan.+
   10.26     FSC Semiconductor Corporation Stock Option Plan.+
   10.27     Employment Agreement dated March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, Sterling and
             Kirk P. Pond.+
   10.28     Employment Agreement dated March 11, 1997 among the Company, Fairchild Holdings, Sterling and
             Joseph R. Martin.+
   12.01     Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.+
   21.01     Subsidiaries of the Company.+
   23.01**   Consent of Dechert Price & Rhoads (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.01).
   23.02     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to the Company.
   23.03     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to Fairchild Holdings.
   24.01     Power of Attorney (included on the signature page).+
   25.01     Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of United States Trust Company of New York on Form
             T-1.+
   27.01     Financial Data Schedule for the Company.+
   27.02     Financial Data Schedule for Fairchild Holdings.
   99.01     Form of Letter of Transmittal.
   99.02     Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
+   Previously filed.
    
 
   
**  To be supplied by amendment.
    
 
   
*** Omitted in accordance with an application for confidential treatment filed
    with the Commission.
    

<PAGE>

                                                        Exhibit 23.02

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation:

We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to 
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.

San Jose, California
June 24, 1997


<PAGE>

                                                        Exhibit 23.03

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
FSC Semiconductor Corporation:

We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to 
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.

San Jose, California
June 24, 1997

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.01
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON           ,
                                     1997,
 
       UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS OF EXISTING NOTES
 
    MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
                      FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                   10 1/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
 
                  TO: UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK,
 
                               THE EXCHANGE AGENT
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
             BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:                                   BY OVERNIGHT COURIER:
 
          United States Trust Company of New York                      United States Trust Company of New York
                       P.O. Box 844                                                 770 Broadway
                      Cooper Station                                          New York, New York 10003
               New York, New York 10276-0844                                    Attn: Corporate Trust
 
                         BY HAND:                                                   BY FACSIMILE:
          United States Trust Company of New York                      United States Trust Company of New York
                       111 Broadway                                                (212) 420-6152
                        Lower Level                                             Attn: Corporate Trust
                  Corporate Trust Window                                        CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
                 New York, New York 10006                                          (800) 548-6565
</TABLE>
 
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN THE ONE
    LISTED ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.  THE INSTRUCTIONS
       ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD     BE READ
           CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
 
HOLDERS WHO WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE NEW NOTES FOR THEIR EXISTING NOTES
PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER (AND NOT WITHDRAW) THEIR
     EXISTING NOTES TO THE                EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE
                                EXPIRATION DATE.
 
    The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated        , 1997
(the "Prospectus") of FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION (the "Company") and
this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together
constitute the Company's Offer to Exchange (the "Exchange Offer") $1,000
principal amount of its 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the
"Exchange Notes"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which
the Prospectus is a part, for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding
10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Existing Notes"), of which
$300,000,000 principal amount is outstanding, upon the terms and conditions set
forth in the Prospectus. Other capitalized terms used but not defined herein
have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
 
    For each Existing Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Existing
Note will receive an Exchange Note having a principal amount equal to that of
the surrendered Existing Note. Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue from
the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Existing Notes
surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the
Existing Notes, from the date of original issue of the Existing Notes. Holders
of Existing Notes accepted for exchange will be deemed to have waived the right
to receive any other payments or accrued interest on the Existing Notes. The
Company reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend the
Exchange Offer at its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date"
shall mean the latest time and date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. The
Company shall notify holders of the Existing Notes of any extension by means of
a press release or other public announcement prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City
time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
    This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by Holders if: (i) certificates
representing Existing Notes are to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent
herewith by Holders; (ii) tender of Existing Notes is to be made by book-entry
transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company
("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The
Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" by any financial
institution that is a participant in DTC and whose name appears on a security
position listing as the owner of Existing Notes; or (iii) tender of Existing
Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
the prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
    The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person: (i)
in whose name Existing Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any
other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the
registered Holder; or (ii) whose Existing Notes are held of record by DTC who
desires to deliver such Existing Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC. The
undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of Transmittal to
indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange
Offer.
 
    The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be followed.
Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the
Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may
be directed to the Exchange Agent. See Instruction 11 herein.
<PAGE>
                 HOLDERS WHO WISH TO ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER
               AND TENDER THEIR EXISTING NOTES MUST COMPLETE THIS
                     LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.
                 PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                    CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW
 
  DESCRIPTION OF 10- 1/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 (EXISTING NOTES)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            AGGREGATE
                                                                            PRINCIPAL        PRINCIPAL
                                                                             AMOUNT       AMOUNT TENDERED
   NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)        CERTIFICATE     REGISTERED BY    (IF LESS THAN
              (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)                  NUMBER(S)*     CERTIFICATE(S)       ALL)**
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>              <C>
</TABLE>
 
   *   Need not be completed by Holders tendering by book-entry transfer.
 
   **  Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount Tendered,"
      any tendering Holder of Existing Notes will be deemed to have tendered
      the entire aggregate principal amount represented by the column labeled
      "Aggregate Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s)." If the
      space provided above is inadequate, list the certificate numbers and
      principal amounts on a separate signed schedule and affix the list to
      this Letter of Transmittal.
 
    The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Existing
Notes. All other tenders must be integral multiples of $1,000.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
          SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS                       SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
          (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4, 5 AND 6)                      (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4, 5 AND 6)
 
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Existing  To be accepted ONLY if certificates for Existing
Notes in a principal amount not tendered or not    Notes in a principal amount not tendered or not
accepted for exchange, or Exchange Notes issued    accepted for exchange, are to be sent to someone
in exchange for Existing Notes accepted for        other than the undersigned, or to the undersigned
exchange, are to be issued in the name of someone  at an address other than that shown above.
other than the undersigned, or if the Existing
Notes tendered by book-entry transfer that are
not accepted for exchange are to be credited to
an account maintained by DTC.
 
Issue certificate(s) to:                           Mail to:
Name:                                              Name:
Address:                                           Address:
               (Include Zip Code)                                 (Include Zip Code)
   (Tax Identification or Social Security No.)        (Tax Identification or Social Security No.)
</TABLE>
 
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED EXISTING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
    TRANSFER TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT'S ACCOUNT AT DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Name of Tendering Institution: _____________________________________________
 
    DTC Book-Entry Account No.: ________________________________________________
 
    Transaction Code No.: ______________________________________________________
 
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED EXISTING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
    NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND
    COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): ___________________________________________
 
    Window Ticket Number (if any): _____________________________________________
 
    Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: ________________________
 
    IF DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
    Account Number: _________         Transaction Code Number: _________
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
/ /  CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
     COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
     THERETO.
 
     Name:______________________________________________________________________
 
     Address:___________________________________________________________________
 
/ /  CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND ARE RECEIVING EXCHANGE NOTES FOR
     YOUR OWN ACCOUNT IN EXCHANGE FOR EXISTING NOTES THAT WERE ACQUIRED AS A
     RESULT OF MARKET MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES.
 
     Name:______________________________________________________________________
 
     Address:___________________________________________________________________
 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
 
    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned
hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Existing Notes indicated
above. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the
principal amount of Existing Notes tendered in accordance with this Letter of
Transmittal, the undersigned sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order
of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to the Existing Notes
tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
Exchange Agent its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the
Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company and as Trustee under the
Indenture for the Existing Notes and Exchange Notes) with respect to the
tendered Existing Notes with full power of substitution to (i) deliver
certificates for such Existing Notes to the Company, or transfer ownership of
such Existing Notes on the account books maintained by DTC and deliver all
accompanying evidence of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the
Company and (ii) present such Existing Notes for transfer on the books of the
Company and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial
ownership of such Existing Notes, all in accordance with the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted in this
paragraph shall be deemed irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
 
    The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Existing Notes
tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and
not subject to any adverse claim, when the same are acquired by the Company. The
undersigned hereby further represents that any Exchange Notes acquired in
exchange for Existing Notes tendered hereby will have been acquired in the
ordinary course of business of the Holder receiving such Exchange Notes, whether
or not such person is the Holder, that neither the Holder nor any such other
person has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in
the distribution of such Exchange Notes and that neither the Holder nor any such
other person is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act,
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
    The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made
based on certain interpretations issued by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to third parties in unrelated transactions.
Based on those interpretations, the Company believes that the Exchange Notes
issued in exchange for the Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other
than any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such
Exchange Notes
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders
have no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the
distribution of such Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer,
the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to
engage in, a distribution of Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a
broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange
for Existing Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes: however, by so acknowledging
and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that
it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
    The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the assignment, transfer and purchase of the Existing
Notes tendered hereby. All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this
Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of
Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal
representatives, successors and assigns, trustees in bankruptcy or other legal
representatives of the undersigned. This tender may be withdrawn only in
accordance with the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Withdrawal
Rights" section of the Prospectus.
 
    For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Existing Notes when, as and if the Company has given
oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
    If any tendered Existing Notes are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for any reason, certificates for any such unaccepted Existing
Notes will be returned (except as noted below with respect to tenders through
DTC), without expense, to the undersigned at the address shown below or at a
different address as may be indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" as
promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.
 
    The undersigned acknowledges that tenders of Existing Notes pursuant to the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Existing Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will
constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
 
    Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Payment Instructions," please
issue the certificates representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for
the Existing Notes accepted for exchange and return any Existing Notes not
tendered or not exchanged in the name(s) of the undersigned (or in either such
event in the case of the Existing Notes tendered through DTC, by credit to the
undersigned's account, at DTC). Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under
"Special Delivery Instructions," please send the certificates representing the
Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Existing Notes accepted for exchange
and any certificates for Existing Notes not tendered or not exchanged (and
accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown
below the undersigned's signature(s), unless, in either event, tender is being
made through DTC. In the event that both "Special Payment Instructions" and
"Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue the certificates
representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Existing Notes
accepted for exchange and return any Existing Notes not tendered or not
exchanged in the name(s) of, and send said certificates to, the person(s) so
indicated. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation
pursuant to the "Special Payment Instructions" and "Special Delivery
Instructions" to transfer any Existing Notes from the name of the registered
Holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the
Existing Notes so tendered.
 
    Holders of Existing Notes who wish to tender their Existing Notes and (i)
whose Existing Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver
their Existing Notes, this Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required
hereby to the Exchange Agent, or cannot complete the procedure for book-entry
transfer, prior to the Expiration Date, may tender their Existing Notes
according to the guaranteed
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
delivering procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See Instruction 1 regarding the
completion of the Letter of Transmittal printed below.
 
                        PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT
 
              EXISTING NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
X
                                                                           Date
X
            Signature(s) of Registered Holder(s)                           Date
                  Or Authorized Signatory
</TABLE>
 
Area Code and Telephone Number ____________________________
 
    The above lines must be signed by the registered Holder(s) of Existing Notes
as their name(s) appear(s) on the Existing Notes or, if the Existing Notes are
tendered by a participant in DTC, as such participant's name appears on a
security position listing as the owner of Existing Notes, or by person(s)
authorized to become registered Holder(s) by a properly completed bond power
from the registered Holder(s), a copy of which must be transmitted with this
Letter of Transmittal. If Existing Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal
relates are held of record by two or more joint Holders, then all such holders
must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor,
administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other
person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must (i)
set forth his or her full title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company,
submit evidence satisfactory to the Company of such person's authority to act.
See Instruction 4 regarding the completion of this Letter of Transmittal printed
below.
 
Name:___________________________________________________________________________
                                 (Please Print)
 
Capacity:_______________________________________________________________________
 
Address:________________________________________________________________________
                               (Include Zip Code)
 
       Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution:
 
       (If required by Instruction 4)
 
       ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                             (Authorized Signature)
 
         --------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                    (Title)
 
         --------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 (Name of Firm)
 
       Dated:_______________________________
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
                    FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                             OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND EXISTING NOTES; GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PROCEDURES.  This Letter is to be completed by noteholders, either if
certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders are to be made pursuant
to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer--Book-Entry Transfer" section of the Prospectus. Certificates for all
physically tendered Existing Notes, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may
be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or
manually signed facsimile hereof) and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set
forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the tendering holder must
comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below. Existing Notes
tendered hereby must be in denominations of principal amount of maturity of
$1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
 
    Noteholders whose certificates for Existing Notes are not immediately
available or who cannot deliver their certificates and all other required
documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or who
cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may
tender their Existing Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in "The Exchange Offer-- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" section of the
Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures, (i) such tender must be made through an
Eligible Institution (as defined in Instruction 4 below), (ii) prior to the
Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must receive from such Eligible Institution
a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided
by the Company (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting forth
the name and address of the holder of Existing Notes and the amount of Existing
Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing
that within five New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days after the date of
execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates for all
physically tendered Existing Notes, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, and any other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the
Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii) the certificates for all
physically tendered Existing Notes, in proper form for transfer, or Book-Entry
Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent within five NYSE
trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
    The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, the Existing Notes and
all other required documents is at the election and risk of the tendering
holders, but the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received or
confirmed by the Exchange Agent. If Existing Notes are sent by mail, it is
suggested that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration
Date to permit the delivery to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m. New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.
 
    See "The Exchange Offer" section in this Prospectus.
 
    2. TENDER BY HOLDER.  Only a holder of Existing Notes may tender such
Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer. Any beneficial holder of Existing Notes
who is not the registered holder and who wishes to tender should arrange with
the registered holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his
or her behalf or must, prior to completing and executing this Letter of
Transmittal and delivering his or her Existing Notes, either make appropriate
arrangements to register ownership of the Existing Notes in such holder's name
or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder.
 
    3. PARTIAL TENDERS.  Tenders of Existing Notes will be accepted only in
integral multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal amount of any
Existing Notes is tendered, the tendering holder should fill in the principal
amount tendered in the fourth column of the box entitled "Description of 10 1/8%
Senior
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (Existing Notes)" above. The entire principal amount
of Existing Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been
tendered unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all
Existing Notes is not tendered, then Existing Notes for the principal amount of
Existing Notes not tendered and a certificate or certificates representing
Exchange Notes issued in exchange for any Existing Notes accepted will be sent
to the Holder at his or her registered address, unless a different address is
provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal promptly after the
Existing Notes are accepted for exchange.
 
    4. SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND
ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  If this Letter of Transmittal is signed
by the registered holder of the Existing Notes tendered hereby, the signature
must correspond exactly with the name as written on the face of the certificates
without any change whatsoever.
 
    If any tendered Existing Notes are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
    If any tendered Existing Notes are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
copies of this Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of
certificates.
 
    When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder or
holders of the Existing Notes specified herein and tendered hereby, no
endorsements of certificates or separate powers of attorney are required. If,
however, the Exchange Notes are to be issued, or any untendered Existing Notes
are to be reissued, to a person other than the registered holder, then
endorsements of any certificates transmitted hereby or separate powers of
attorney are required. Signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder or holders of any certificate(s) specified herein, such
certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers of
attorney, in either case signed exactly as the names on the registered holder or
holders appear(s) on the certificate(s) and signatures on such certificate(s)
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the
Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so
act must be submitted.
 
    Endorsements on certificates for Existing Notes or signatures on powers of
attorney required by this Instruction 4 must be guaranteed by a firm which is a
participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program ("Eligible
Institutions").
 
    Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution unless the Existing Notes are tendered (i) by a registered holder of
Existing Notes (which term, for purposes of the Exchange Offer, includes any
participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility system whose name appears on a
security position listing as the holder of such Existing Notes) who has not
completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery
Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) for the account of an
Eligible Institution.
 
    5. SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.  Tendering holders should
indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which Exchange
Notes or substitute Existing Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not
accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and
address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal (or in the case of
tender of Existing Notes through DTC, if different from DTC). In the case of
issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification or social security
number of the person named must also be indicated. Noteholders tendering
Existing Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Existing Notes not
exchanged be credited to such account
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such noteholder may designate
hereon. If no such instructions are given, such Existing Notes not exchanged
will be returned to the name and address of the person signing this Letter of
Transmittal.
 
    6. TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.  Federal income tax law requires that a holder
whose offered Existing Notes are accepted for exchange must provide the Company
(as payer) with his, her or its correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN"),
which, in the case of an exchanging holder who is an individual, is his or her
social security number. If the Company is not provided with the correct TIN or
an adequate basis for exemption, such holder may be subject to a $50 penalty
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), and payments made with
respect to Existing Notes purchased pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
subject to backup withholding at a 31% rate. If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained. Exempt holders (including, among
others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to
these backup withholding and reporting requirements. See the enclosed
"Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9."
 
    To prevent backup withholding, each exchanging holder must provide his, her
or its correct TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 enclosed herewith,
certifying that the TIN provided is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a
TIN) and that (i) the holder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the holder
has been notified by the IRS that he, she or it is subject to backup withholding
as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS
has notified the holder that he, she or it is no longer subject to backup
withholding. In order to satisfy the Exchange Agent that a foreign individual
qualifies as an exempt recipient, such holder must submit a statement signed
under penalty of perjury attesting to such exempt status. Such statements may be
obtained from the Exchange Agent. If the Existing Notes are in more than one
name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the Substitute Form W-9
for information on which TIN to report. If you do not provide your TIN to the
Company within 60 days, backup withholding will begin and continue until you
furnish your TIN to the Company.
 
    7. TRANSFER TAXES.  The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, certificates representing Exchange Notes or Existing Notes for
principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to,
or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the
registered holder of the Existing Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Existing
Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing
this Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other
than the exchange of Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the
amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or
on any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory
evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted
herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering holder.
 
    Except as provided in this Instruction 7, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Existing Notes listed in this letter.
 
    8. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.  The Company reserves the absolute right to amend,
waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any
Existing Notes tendered.
 
    9. NO CONDITIONAL TRANSFERS.  No alternative, conditional, irregular or
contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Existing Notes, by
execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice
of the acceptance of their Existing Notes for exchange.
 
    Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated to
give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Existing
Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such
notice.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    10. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED EXISTING NOTES.  Any tendering
holder whose Existing Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed
should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further
instructions.
 
    11. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.  Questions and requests
for assistance for additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to the
Exchange Agent at the address specified in the Prospectus.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                       (DO NOT WRITE IN THE SPACE BELOW)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            CERTIFICATE                          ENTERING NOTES                        EXISTING NOTES
            SURRENDERED                             TENDERED                              ACCEPTED
- ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
 
<S>                                   <C>                                   <C>
- ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                            Delivery Prepared by
 
                                  ------------------------------------Checked By
 
                                  ------------------------------------Date
 
                                  ----------------------------------------------
 
               PAYER'S NAME: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                            <C>
                               Name (if joint names, list first and circle the name of the
                               person or entity whose number you enter in Part I below. See
                               instructions if your name has changed.)
 
                               Address
                               ------------------------------------------------------------
                               City, state and ZIP code
                               -----------------------------------------------------
                               List account number(s) here (optional)
                               ----------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY     PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR       Social security number
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE       TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUM-              or TIN
                               BER ("TIN") IN THE BOX AT      -----------------------------
                               RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING
                               AND DATING BELOW.
                               PART 2--Check the box if you are NOT subject to backup
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TIN        withholding under the provisions of section 3408(a)(1)(C) of
                               the Internal Revenue Code because (1) you have not been
                               notified that you are subject to backup withholding as a
                               result of failure to report all interest or dividends or (2)
                               the Internal Revenue Service has notified you that you are
                               no longer subject to backup withholding.
                               CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PEN-    PART 3--AWAITING TIN / /
                               ALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY
                               THAT THE INFORMATION PRO-
                               VIDED ON THIS FORM IS TRUE,
                               CORRECT AND COMPLETE.
 
                               Signature
                               ---------------------------
                               Date
                               -----------------------------
</TABLE>
 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
      OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE
      REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
      IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OR SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
                                       10

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.02
 
                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                      FOR
                   10 1/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
                      FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
 
    As set forth in the Prospectus dated       , 1997 (the "Prospectus") of
FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION (the "Company") and in the accompanying
Letter of Transmittal and instructions thereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"),
this form or one substantially equivalent hereto must be used to accept the
Company's offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") all of its outstanding
10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Existing Notes") for its
10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007, which have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Exchange Notes"), if certificates for
the Existing Notes are not immediately available or if the Existing Notes, the
Letter of Transmittal or any other documents required thereby cannot be
delivered to the Exchange Agent, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot
be completed, prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date (as
defined in the Prospectus). This form may be delivered by an Eligible
Institution by hand or transmitted by facsimile transmission, overnight courier
or mail to the Exchange Agent as set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON       ,
1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS OF EXISTING
NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
        TO: UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, THE EXCHANGE AGENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:             BY OVERNIGHT COURIER:
 
<S>                                     <C>
  United States Trust Company of New      United States Trust Company of New
                 York                                    York
             P.O. Box 844                            770 Broadway
            Cooper Station                     New York, New York 10003
    New York, New York 10276-0844             Attention: Corporate Trust
 
               BY HAND:                             BY FACSIMILE:
 
  United States Trust Company of New      United States Trust Company of New
                 York                                    York
             111 Broadway                           (212) 420-6152
             Lower Level                      Attention: Corporate Trust
        Corporate Trust Window                  CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
       New York, New York 10006                     (800) 548-6565
</TABLE>
 
    DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS
VIA A FACSIMILE, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID
DELIVERY.
 
    This form is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on the
Letter of Transmittal to be used to tender Existing Notes is required to be
guaranteed by an "Eligible Institution" under the instructions thereto, such
signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the Letter
of Transmittal.
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    The undersigned hereby tenders to FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal (which
together constitute the "Exchange Offer"), receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, $          principal amount of Existing Notes pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Instruction 1 of the Letter of
Transmittal.
 
    The undersigned acknowledges that tenders of Existing Notes will be accepted
only in principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. The
undersigned acknowledges that tenders of Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer may not be withdrawn after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
 
    All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other
legal representatives of the undersigned.
 
            NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED WHERE INDICATED BELOW.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Certificate No(s). for Existing Notes (if      Name(s) of Record Holder(s)
available)
 
                                               PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE
 
Principal Amount of Existing Notes             Address
 
                                               Area Code and Tel. No.
                                               Signature(s)
 
                                               Dated:
                                               If Existing Notes will be delivered by
                                               book-entry transfer at the Depository Trust
                                               Company, Depository Account No.
 
</TABLE>
 
    This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be signed by the registered
holder(s) of Existing Notes exactly as its (their) name(s) appear on
certificates for Existing Notes or on a security position listing as the owner
of Existing Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
endorsements and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such person must provide the following information:
 
                      PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)
 
Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________
 
Capacity: ______________________________________________________________________
 
Address(es): ___________________________________________________________________
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                   GUARANTEE
                    (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
 
    The undersigned, a member firm of a registered national securities exchange
or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank
or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or an
"eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), hereby (a)
represents that the above named person(s) "own(s)" the Existing Notes tendered
hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act, (b) represents
that such tender of Existing Notes complies with Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange
Act and (c) guarantees that delivery to the Exchange Agent of certificates for
the Existing Notes tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer (or confirmation
of the book-entry transfer of such Existing Notes into the Exchange Agent's
Account at the Depository Trust Company, pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus), with delivery of a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile
thereof) with any required signatures and any other required documents, will be
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above within
five New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days after the execution of this
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
    THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT MUST DELIVER THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
AND EXISTING NOTES TENDERED HEREBY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD
SET FORTH AND THAT FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN FINANCIAL LOSS TO THE
UNDERSIGNED.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Firm
<S>                                            <C>
                                                           Authorized Signature
 
Address                                        Name
                                                           Please Print or Type
 
                                               Title
                  Zip Code
 
Area Code and Tel. No.                         Date
 
Dated:, 1997
</TABLE>
 
NOTE: DO NOT SEND EXISTING NOTES WITH THIS FORM; EXISTING NOTES SHOULD BE SENT
WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SO THAT THEY ARE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT
WITHIN FIVE NYSE TRADING DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY.
 
                                       3

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001036960
<NAME> FSC SEMICONDUCTOR CORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-10-1997             MAR-10-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-10-1997             MAR-10-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-10-1997             MAR-10-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       0                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
                                0                       0
                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         0                       0
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0                       0
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0                       0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                         0                       0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>


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