NEW YORK, NY, April 10, 2000 - L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) today announced that
its Link Simulation & Training division has been awarded a production contract option
by the U.S. Army's Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command for the fourth
production phase of the Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (FSCATT) program.
This fixed-price award is valued at $14.6 million.
Link has been performing on the FSCATT program since 1995 and has supplied 34 M109A5
trainers and one M109A6 Paladin trainer to the Army under previous contracts. The
contract option calls for Link to build 10 additional M109A6 Paladin howitzer crew
trainers, collective training control subsystems and instructor/operator stations.
The trainers provide the Army and Army National Guard field artillery forces with a
training system that enables them to train soldiers more efficiently and at reduced cost
over a broader set of missions. These high-fidelity trainers enable artillery crews to
experience a wide range of highly realistic, simulated battlefield scenarios while avoiding
the costs associated with use of actual ammunition or tactical equipment.
Delivery of M109A6 Paladin trainers will begin in August 2001 and conclude in March 2002.
These Paladin trainers will be delivered to the Army's Field Artillery Center at Fort Sill,
Okla.; Camp Casey in South Korea and at four Army bases in Germany.
By using Link-built FSCATT trainers, artillery gunnery teams - including cannon crewmen,
fire direction specialists and fire support specialists - can be trained individually or as
a team on execution of indirect fire mission operations.
To help monitor individual and crew performance, M109A5 and M109A6 howitzer crew
trainers are fully integrated with an array of sensors. The sensors measure direction
and elevation settings on the fire control instruments and monitor projectile selection;
fuze selection and setting; propellant selection and orientation; and ramming and firing
procedures.
Link's FSCATT production team members include United Defense Limited Partnership and
AAI Corporation.
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.
