NEW YORK, NY, October 3, 2000 - L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) today announced that its
Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a $3.9 million contract to develop concurrency
upgrades on operator training devices for the U.S. Air Force's B-2A Spirit training program.
Under this contract, which was awarded by the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center at
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Link's Binghamton, NY operation will be upgrading aircrew training
devices that provide complete training for B-2A pilots. These trainers support initial and continuation
training, in addition to providing rehearsal training for actual combat missions flown by pilots of the
Air Force's 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO.
"This key award continues Link's partnership with the USAF and Northrop Grumman, the B-2A
Spirit weapons system developer, in the modernization of both the Spirit fleet and the training system
which supports the men and women who operate and maintain it," said David Burns, Link's vice
president of Binghamton operations. "This is the next step in a long term relationship between our people
and the USAF Stealth Bomber team which started in the mid 1980s."
The training devices Link will upgrade include three B-2A Weapon System Trainers and a Mission
Trainer. Upgrades to these trainers, which have been fielded at Whiteman AFB since the early 1990s,
will focus on concurrency modifications to the devices' software and hardware.
These concurrency modifications -- which will be fielded by Link shortly before B-2A aircraft
modifications are completed in late 2002 -- will enable aircrews to train on the Joint Air-to-Surface
Standoff Missile and other associated onboard upgrades that are now being developed for the B-2A
Spirit weapon system.
This upgrade effort is one part of an overall training system modification that will provide training
device and curriculum updates to support the next B-2 Multi-Stage Improvement Program aircraft
upgrade.
This contract award comes in the form of a delivery order to Link's existing B-2 Training System
Contractor Logistic Support contract awarded to the company in 1998. This indefinite delivery/indefinite
quantity contract spans 10 years and calls for Link to provide all contractor-supplied services and
product updates for the B-2A Spirit training system.
The B-2A Weapon System Trainer is a full-motion, high fidelity simulator providing out-the-window
visual scenes and full simulation of all onboard systems. The trainer allows B-2A pilots to master
complex onboard systems and become proficient in the operation of the weapons system while flying
simulated combat scenarios literally anywhere in the world in preparation for actual missions in the
B-2A Spirit aircraft.
B-2A Spirit pilots use the mission trainer to perfect their skills in the operation of onboard
offensive and defensive systems. This trainer, designed to teach the complex right seat functions
for this two-pilot aircraft, supports practice on functions ranging from radar operation to weapons
delivery.
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.
