NEW YORK, NY, January 29, 2002 - L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) today announced that
its Link Simulation & Training division has been awarded a $26 million production contract
from Boeing Defense and Space Group to build two full mission trainers and four weapon
tactics trainers that will support pilot training on the nation's next generation F-22
stealth fighter aircraft. All of the F-22 full mission trainers and weapon tactics trainers
under this production contract are scheduled to be delivered in February, 2003 to Tyndall
Air Force Base, FL.
This contract is the first of potentially eight F-22 training device production awards
that Link could receive and, in the process, grow the program to over $200 million in value.
Should all of these production options be exercised, under these awards Link could be called
on to produce over 60 pilot training devices and 15 maintenance training devices.
These initial production pilot training devices -- which will be networked to support
team training exercises within a virtual simulated environment -- will be based on existing
designs developed by Link during the program's engineering, manufacturing and development
(EMD) phase, which began in 1997.
Under its initial EMD contract, Link has been developing an F-22 pilot training suite
consisting of a full mission trainer, weapon tactics trainer and egress procedures trainer.
In addition, since 1997 Link has been responsible for the development of an F-22 maintenance
training suite that will enable technicians to inspect, remove, check and replace components
from all sections of the aircraft.
"F-22 fighter pilots will fly complex, integrated missions where they must establish air
dominance in the midst of the world's most advanced integrated air defense radar networks
and surface-to-air missile environments," said Gary Nesta, Link Simulation & Training's vice
president of devices programs. "The F-22 pilot training devices will play a key role in
providing the knowledge and skills pilots will need to succeed on missions that range from
single aircraft operation to large joint force coalition strike actions."
The full mission trainers being built by Link will be the highest fidelity F-22 simulators.
These simulators will support training tasks including formation flight, air refueling,
takeoff and landing, emergency procedures and weapons delivery during air-to-air and air-to-ground
combat.
F-22 weapon tactics trainers will provide pilots with extensive procedural training
that develops skills for aircraft systems operation. Supported by a high fidelity tactical
environment, the trainer will provide pilots with simulated controls and displays representing
the main F-22 aircraft instrument panel. In addition to enabling pilots to practice individual
and team weapon systems employment, the weapons tactics trainer can be used as an instructional
system or mission generation system.
The egress procedures trainer being built under the EMD contract supports all aspects
of ground and in-flight egress and life support training. The trainer will enable pilots
to perform tasks ranging from cockpit safety and ejection seat inspection to ejection and
canopy separation procedures.
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.
