NEW YORK, NY, August 7, 2001 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) today announced that
its Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a one-year, $7.4 million
contract for the F-16 Aircrew Training Devices (ATD) program. The F-16 ATD program, part
of the U.S. Air Force's Training Systems Acquisition II program, will consolidate the operation,
maintenance and support of F-16 aircrew and maintenance trainers currently being used by the
U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and foreign militaries worldwide. Under terms of the
agreement, the Air Force can exercise nine additional one-year options that could grow the
program to approximately $74 million in value.
"The F-16 has been the world's most sought-after fighter aircraft for two decades,"
said David Williams, Link Simulation and Training's vice president for training services
programs. "Throughout this period, Link has been the primary provider of F-16 simulators
and training support services that have helped pilots and maintenance personnel hone their
skills."
"This contract award now positions Link as the single point of contact for support of
all currently-fielded F-16 trainers, consolidating six separate sustainment contracts for
F-16 training support into one," Williams added. "This consolidation will enable Link to
provide significant synergies across all F-16 maintenance and aircrew training support
requirements."
The contract calls for Link to provide on-site contractor logistics support teams at
Air Force training locations including Hill Air Force Base, UT; Luke Air Force Base, AZ;
Tucson Air National Guard Base, AZ; Lackland Air Force Base, TX and Springfield Air National
Guard Base, OH.
In addition, Link will be stationing technical support personnel at Hector Field, ND;
Duluth Air National Guard Base, MN; Kunsan Air Base, Korea and Aviano Air Base, Italy. Link
will be providing technical on-call support for fielded F-16 Unit Training Device (UTD) pilot
simulators and maintenance trainers located at bases worldwide.
Link-built F-16 UTD simulators, delivered between 1996 and 2000, are used to meet the Air
Force's and Air National Guard's requirements for new student, initial, transition and
continuation training.
During the first three years of the program Link also will be making upgrades to
currently-fielded F-16 Weapons Systems Trainers (WST). These Link-built simulators,
delivered between 1982 and 1994, are used to provide high-fidelity pilot mission training.
In making these modifications, each F-16 WST will have its existing mainframe computers,
visual systems and interface electronics replaced by Link's advanced personal computer host
and image generation systems. Integration of this new computing technology will substantially
enhance simulator performance, reduce system maintenance complexity and improve trainer
reliability.
A Link team also will operate and support the F-16 ATD program's Training System Support
Center (TSSC), which will be located at Hill AFB. TSSC management, engineering and technical
personnel will be responsible for maintaining trainer configuration and concurrency in line
with modifications made to F-16 aircraft. In addition, the TSSC team will provide both
enhancement engineering and software baseline management. The TSSC also will serve as a
central repository for existing visual system databases, the computer generated imagery that
pilots view as they fly a simulator, as well as the site for development of new databases.
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.
