NEW YORK, NY, June 16, 2004 - L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) today announced
that its Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a $26.4 million
contract by Raytheon Australia to provide training equipment for the Royal Australian
Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornet Aircrew Training System (HACTS).
Raytheon and Link will provide the RAAF with a High Level Architecture,
networked training system that will support F/A-18 pilot training. Raytheon
will provide overall program management and in-service support at two RAAF bases
during the life of the F/A-18 HACTS program.
Link will supply the F/A-18 HACTS program with high fidelity simulators
that will support both individual and team training. This modern training system
will be an evolutionary leap forward in the RAAF's F/A-18 training realism and
combat readiness.
"This important award allows Link to retain its global presence in F/A-18
simulation and continue its expansion as the leading global provider of distributed
mission training systems," said David Love, vice president of business development
for Link Simulation and Training. "We look forward to delivering an advanced,
networked training solution that supports the Commomwealth's long-term Hornet
training requirements."
The HACTS will include three high fidelity, Link-built F/A-18 Tactical
Operational Flight Trainers (TOFTs) that can be networked to form an interoperable,
synthetic battlespace. The first F/A-18 TOFTs will be integrated with Link's SimuSphere
visual display. The scalable SimuSphere visual display will be integrated on one F/A-18
TOFT in a nine-panel, 360° field-of-view configuration. The other two F/A-18 TOFTs will
be integrated with seven-panel SimuSphere displays that will provide the pilot with a
300° horizontal x 130° vertical field-of-view. Link's SimuView
personal computer
image generation system will power both out-the-window imagery and cockpit sensor
display systems.
The HACTS is being procured under the RAAF Hornet Upgrade Phase 2
program and is envisioned to support the entire RAAF F/A-18 training continuum.
The F/A-18 TOFTs will reinforce a full range of pilot warfighting skills across
both air-to-air and air-to-ground mission areas. In addition, each Link TOFT
will be integrated with a Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) training
system. This program marks the first ever integration of a JHMCS training
capability into a near-eye-relief visual system. The JHMCS, to be deployed on
the RAAF's upgraded F/A-18 fleet, gives the pilot a targeting system that can
be used to control sensors and weapons through pilot visual cueing.
Australia has followed the United States and Canada in recently
choosing the Link F/A-18 training system solution. This global commonality
will provide a significant life cycle cost benefit to all of Link's F/A-18
customers, while further supporting rapid development and maintenance of
simulation systems common with actual aircraft configurations.
Link Simulation and 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 includes 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 major operations in Arlington, TX,
Binghamton, NY, Orlando, FL, Broken Arrow, OK and Phoenix,
AZ.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading
merchant supplier of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
(ISR) products, 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 US government intelligence agencies, aerospace prime
contractors and commercial telecommunications and wireless
customers.
To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit the
company's web site at www.L-3Com.com.
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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
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statements speak only as of the date made, and the company
undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.