OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, June 27, 2002 - Link Simulation and Training, a division of L-3
Communications (NYSE:LLL), today joined officials from Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) in
dedicating a new 32,000-square foot facility designed to train flight crews that operate E-3
Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The facility, owned and operated by Link, is located in Oklahoma City, OK on a 2.8 acre
site. Link, which has been the prime contractor for E-3 flight crew training since 1993,
currently is operating the program under a $158 million contract awarded in 1999 that could
extend through 2014.
Effective E-3 flight crew training has been key to maintaining mission readiness, as U.S.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Ben Robinson, commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB,
points out.
"Over the 25 years of AWACS operations, the single most important thing to this wing's safety
record and ability to accomplish the mission worldwide has been our outstanding training program,"
said Brig. Gen. Robinson. "This new training facility will help ensure AWACS's success and combat
excellence continues well into the future."
David Williams, Link Simulation and Training's vice president of training services, said this
transition also represents an evolution within the E-3 Flight Crew Training program.
"The E-3 Flight Crew Training program has been redesigned from top to bottom," Williams
said. "As an example, E-3 flight crews will be able to accomplish all of their training within
the new simulators installed in this facility. This will eliminate the need for flight crews to
fly, and for the Air Force to maintain, TC-18 training aircraft that crews have had to fly before
transitioning to the operation of an E-3 AWACS."
The increased instructional capabilities of the new simulation devices, Williams also notes,
has called for a redesign and reallocation of training tasks throughout the program.
Link has installed two new E-3 AWACS operational flight trainers in the facility that will
enable flight crews -- consisting of a pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer -- to practice
takeoffs, landings, aerial refueling and emergency procedures. The operational flight trainers
provide a high fidelity simulated cockpit, a six-degree-of-freedom motion system that replicates
the aircraft's flight attitudes, and out-the-window computer generated imagery projected across
a 225º horizontal by 50º vertical visual system display.
In advance of training on E-3 AWACS operational flight trainers, aircrews will gain instruction
on a newly installed flight crew training device. The E-3 AWACS flight training device, which
lacks a motion or visual system, is a highly realistic cockpit replica that will enable aircrews
to receive instruction in essential elements of cockpit resource management and crew coordination.
To support the redesign and reallocation of other training tasks throughout the program,
Link is revising and producing new instructional courseware that will be delivered via computer
and paper-based materials. Link also is providing student instruction, performing logistics
and maintenance services and ensuring that training materials and equipment remain concurrent
with changes to the aircraft.
For the past 25 years, E-3 AWACS aircraft and its flight crew training program have
been co-located within the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB. During its quarter
century of service the E-3 AWACS has become renown for its ability to simultaneously track
and communicate the location of both friend and foe aircraft to other U.S. and allied pilots
and major command centers.
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.
