NEW YORK, NY, September 25, 2000 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) today announced that
its Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a $36.5 million contract from the
Boeing Company to build and upgrade flight simulators as part of the F/A-18 Super Hornet Low
Rate Initial Production (LRIP) program.
The program calls for Link to build and deliver three new F/A-18F Tactical Operational
Flight Trainers (TOFT), in addition to upgrading previously delivered versions of the F/A-18F
TOFT and F/A-18F Weapons Tactics Trainer (WTT) to the latest F/A-18F aircraft configuration.
Deliveries of the new F/A-18F TOFTs will take place during 2001 and early 2002. Upgrades to
the existing trainers also are scheduled for completion in early 2002.
"Link will draw on its wide range of experience in F/A-18 simulation to develop a
solution that delivers state-of-the-art advancements in training technology in a cost-effective
manner," said Jim Dunn, president of Link Simulation and Training. "Our SimuSphere™ visual
display system, which is increasingly being recognized as the preferred product for fighter
simulators, will be complemented by our ability to cost-effectively leverage reuse of common
software and technology features we've integrated in previously-built F/A-18 trainers."
The two-seat F/A-18F TOFT, integrated with Link's innovative SimuSphere™ five-facet
dodecahedron display, will provide aircrews with out-the-window visual scenes over a 300º
horizontal by 70º vertical field-of-view. The F/A-18F WTT, which is integrated with a 40-foot
dome display, offers aircrews a 360º field-of-view. Both the TOFT and WTT devices also
support pilot training in the single-seat F/A-18E configuration.
The F/A-18F trainers, which will be housed at Naval Air Station Lemoore in Lemoore, CA,
will enable U.S. Navy aircrews to hone their air-to-air combat skills by interacting with a
wide variety of simulated adversaries. To enhance their air-to-ground mission skills,
aircrews will be able to use the trainers to counter simulated surface-to-air missiles,
antiaircraft artillery and early warning radar sites. The trainers also will enable aircrews
to practice simulated precision weapons delivery on a variety of land and sea-based structures,
including buildings, bridges, trucks, trains and ships. The simulators will also be used to
practice field and carrier takeoffs and landings, low altitude flight, emergency procedures
and operation of radar imagery and targeting forward looking infrared displays.
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.
