NEW YORK, NY, August 7, 2001 - L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) today announced that
F-16 flight simulators, built by its Arlington, Texas-based Link Simulation and Training
division for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air National Guard, have reached one million
hours of service.
These flight simulators, known as F-16 Unit Training Devices (UTDs), are being used
to train every Air Force and Air National Guard F-16 pilot. From 1996 to 2000, Link has
delivered 68 F-16 UTDs to the Air Force and Air National Guard.
"The F-16 UTD simulators took advantage of advancements in computing technology and
marked the beginning of a new era in cost-effective military flight simulation," said Gary
Nesta, Link Simulation and Training's vice president of training systems. "F-16 UTDs have
been purchased and are being maintained at a substantial reduction in cost compared to legacy
F-16 simulators. Additionally, these complex simulators are providing a 98 percent reliability
factor that helps ensure F-16 pilot training is delivered when and where required."
"This program also has been underscored by a close and successful working relationship
between Link and the Air Force and Air National Guard," Mr. Nesta added. "With their help,
the F-16 UTD team has been able to design a simulator that realistically supports the services'
new student, initial, transition, and continuation training. We look forward to working with
the Air Force and Air National Guard in the years to come to ensure these trainers continue
to provide effective F-16 pilot training."
"The Unit Training Device millionth hour of power-on operation is a significant industry
accomplishment," added U.S. Air Force Col. Larry Skapin, director of the Training Systems
Product Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. "The employees of L-3 Communications and
Link Simulation and Training should be proud of their dedicated work and cooperation with our
Air Force team to make such an achievement possible. The United States Air Force and Air
National Guard F-16 fighter community has greatly benefited from the training made possible by
the Unit Training Device and we look forward to many more years of continued service."
In addition to producing the F-16 UTDs, Link is providing on-call contractor logistics
support. This support has included providing maintenance, spares, simulator enhancements and
aircraft concurrency support from Training System Support Centers in Arlington, TX and at Ogden
Air Force Base, UT.
F-16 UTDs - which have been delivered in Block 25, 30, 40, 42, 50 and 52 configurations
- support training in emergency procedures, avionics operation, and air-to-air and air-to-ground
combat training within a dense threat environment. In addition, pilots are able to practice
acquiring and identifying targets and accurately delivering weapons under a full range of weather
conditions at any time of day.
These trainers, which represent the second largest purchase of simulators under a single
Air Force contract, today are being used to train pilots within the Air Education and Training
Command, Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Force, United States Air Force Europe and Air National
Guard.
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.
