ARLINGTON, TX, January 28, 2002 -- Link Simulation and Training, a division of L-3 Communications
(NYSE:LLL), joined representatives from the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard
today in a ceremony marking the establishment of a new, modern C-141 Total Training System schoolhouse
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB) in Dayton, OH.
Since October 2001 Link has been providing training, support and management at Wright-Patterson
AFB and five other military installations for the C-141 Total Training System, a program that
could grow to $67 million in value should the Air Force exercise 10 one-year options. Today,
at all sites approximately 2,500 C-141 aircrew and maintenance personnel train on the system annually.
"Since the mid-Sixties the C-141 Starlifter has been a mainstay in U.S. military airlift,"
said David Williams, Link Simulation and Training's vice president of training programs.
"Establishment of this total training center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will guarantee
that C-141 aircrews remain among the best trained aviators in the world and that maintenance
personnel have the skills they need to keep this key platform flying."
"The new formal training unit is a great asset to Wright-Patterson," said Brig. Gen. Paul
Cooper, commander of the 445th Airlift Wing. "A lot of planning and coordination was done
which resulted in the C-141C schoolhouse opening on schedule with a wide range of courses
offered. The schoolhouse will ensure that the C-141C has an important part in the wing's future
for many years to come."
In accomplishing C-141C aircrew training at Wright-Patterson AFB's 445th Airlift Wing,
pilots, copilots, flight engineers and loadmasters undertake training that includes instructor-led
classroom training and computer-based training within a schoolhouse environment. Next, depending
on their course of instruction, individuals progress to either a cockpit procedures trainer or
load master trainer prior to gaining aircrew training on a weapon systems trainer. Link delivers
and supports all aspects of the C-141C training syllabus at Wright-Patterson AFB prior to Air
Force instructors supervising aircrews during actual C-141 in-flight training.
The C-141C maintenance training that takes place at Wright-Patterson AFB employs 18 maintenance
trainers that enable technicians to perform both operational checkouts and troubleshooting on
simulated aircraft systems, including fire control and armament; flight control and instruments;
communications, navigation and electronic countermeasures.
Aircrew and maintenance training at each base is supported by a C-141 Training Systems Support
Center (TSSC) also recently transitioned to Wright-Patterson AFB from Altus AFB in Altus, OK.
Link personnel at the TSSC modify C-141 trainer hardware, create lesson courseware and provide
software configuration management and concurrency.
In addition, the TSSC is home to a Link-designed training management system that provides
high-speed, on-line report access. The training management system also will coordinate
scheduling, manage training resources and analyze both aircrew and maintenance personnel trends.
Link Simulation & Training is a systems integration organization that specializes
in delivering and supporting training systems and equipment that enhance operational
proficiency. Link's full range of services include conducting front end analysis, program
design, course development and production, interactive distance learning, simulator design
and production, training implementation, training evaluation, training management and field
support. Link has its headquarters operation in Arlington, Tex. and other major bases of
operation in Kirkwood, NY, Orlando, Fla., and Broken Arrow, Okla.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading merchant supplier of
secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean products, training products,
microwave components and telemetry, instrumentation, space and wireless products. Its
customers include the Department of Defense, selected U.S. government intelligence agencies,
aerospace prime contractors and commercial telecommunications and cellular customers.
To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit the company's website at
www.L-3Com.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except
for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number
of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such
statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's Safe Harbor
Compliance Statement for Forward-looking Statements included in the company's recent filings,
including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
