NEW YORK, NY, June 19, 2001 - L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) today announced that its
Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a $10.3 million contract to begin
low rate initial production on the U.S. Army's Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer -
Aviation Reconfigurable Manned Simulator (AVCATT-A) program.
The contract calls for Link to build six reconfigurable simulators, a battle master
control room and an after action review theater. All of these major system components
and associated subsystems will be housed in two semitrailers, enabling the Army to rapidly
deploy the AVCATT-A training system by land, air or sea to units in need of tactical training.
AVCATT-A will provide both active U.S. Army and National Guard aviation units with
a realistic, high intensity, virtual combat training environment for helicopter pilots,
crews and teams. The six trainer cockpits, to be produced by Link, can be reconfigured
within 90 minutes to simulate Army attack, reconnaissance and utility helicopters,
including the RAH-66 Comanche, AH-64A Apache, AH-64D Longbow Apache, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior,
UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47D Chinook.
"The AVCATT-A system will provide the Army great flexibility in meeting its aviation
training requirements," said Jim Dunn, president of Link Simulation and Training. "The
biggest advantage of AVCATT-A is its ability to allow groups of aviators to train in
simulators that are networked to and interoperable with the Army's currently-fielded
combined arms trainers that are operated by its armored units. All combined arms training
will be conducted over a common virtual battlefield as units compete against interactive
opposing forces."
In addition to the training suite Link will build under the low rate initial production
contract, Link is also producing the first suite of trainers for the AVCATT-A program under
a contract awarded in late 1999. Both suites of trainers are slated for delivery in April,
2002. One AVCATT-A suite will be delivered to Fort Hood, TX and the other to Fort Rucker, AL.
Due to the training suites' transportable capability, for the first time ever Army aviators
will be able to have a home base trainer on the front line that will help prepare them for
challenging worldwide military operations.
Training on the AVCATT-A system, active Army and Army National Guard aviators will be
able to fight and train under a wide range of simulated conditions. These conditions -
including battlefield smoke; weapons effects; blowing snow; dust or sand; and variances
in wind, visibility and cloud ceiling - can be replicated under day, dusk or night environments.
A realistic, virtual training environment will be supported by intelligent semi-automated
forces. These forces, both friendly and opposing, will support a highly competitive fighting
environment to maximize training effectiveness. Under its initial AVCATT-A contract, Link is
providing three geo-specific terrain data bases that simulate the Army's National Training
Center in Fort Irwin, CA, Central Germany and Fort Hood.
AVCATT-A pilot trainers will be designed to integrate directly into the Army's command,
control, communication, computers and intelligence systems. Battalion or brigade staff
personnel, working at stations within their administrative and tactical operations center,
will control battlefield support elements and combat forces participating in a simulated
engagement.
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.
