Lawton, Okla.., October 26, 2001 - L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) today announced that
its Link Simulation and Training Division joined the U.S. Army in a ceremony at Fort Sill,
Okla. marking the service's acceptance of three new Paladin M109A6 Fire Support Combined
Arms Tactical Trainer (FSCATT) training systems. These M109A6 training systems, delivered
by Link's Orlando, Fla. facility, will be used by Army field artillery units to enhance
their mission skills while practicing delivery of simulated munitions in a highly realistic
battle environment.
These training systems are the first three of 10 M109A6 simulation systems Link is
currently producing under a $14.6 million contract awarded by the Army's Simulation,
Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM) in early 2000. Additional M109A6 training
systems will be delivered by Link through May 2002 to Fort Sill, Camp Casey in South Korea
and at four Army bases in Germany. Each Paladin training system consists of a howitzer
crew training simulator, collective training control subsystem, an instructor/operator
station and a complete set of simulated ammunition.
"In comparison to what can be accomplished today during live fire training exercises,
these new M109A6 training systems will enable Army field artillery forces to train over a
broader set of missions," said Linda Brent, Link Simulation and Training's director of
training systems operations. "Artillery crews will be able to experience a wide range of
highly realistic, simulated battlefield scenarios and, in the process, the Army will be
able avoid the high costs associated through the use of actual ammunition or tactical
equipment."
"The M109A6 howitzer crew trainer enables field artillery gunnery teams to train in a
realistic, interactive training environment," said Maj. Ray Compton, STRICOM's project
director for the Army's FSCATT program. "FSCATT is a cost-effective means of enhancing
unit readiness and allowing commanders to sustain gunnery team proficiency in between live
fire training events."
When using the M109A6 trainers, artillery gunnery teams - including cannon crewmen,
fire direction specialists and fire support specialists - can be trained individually or
as a team on execution of indirect fire mission operations.
To help monitor individual and crew performance, Paladin crew trainers are fully
integrated with an array of sensors. The sensors compute direction and elevation settings
on the fire control instruments and monitor projectile selection; fuze selection and setting;
propellant selection and orientation; and ramming and firing procedures.
The M109A6 trainers are being built under the Army's FSCATT program, which Link has been
performing on since 1995. Under previous FSCATT contract options, Link has delivered 34
M109A5 trainers.
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.
