NEW YORK, NY, December 17, 2001 - L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) today announced
that its Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a $19.7 million contract
to build suites three and four of the U.S. Army's Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer -
Aviation Reconfigurable Manned Simulator (AVCATT-A) program. The two helicopter training
suites being produced by Link under this new contract will be delivered to the Army in the
fourth quarter of 2002.
An AVCATT-A suite consists of six reconfigurable simulators, a battle master control
room and an after action review theater. The two training suites initially will be delivered
with four reconfigurable simulator types, including the AH-64A Apache, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior,
UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47D Chinook. The AH-64D Longbow Apache reconfigurable manned module
is slated to be added to the training suites in May 2003 and the RAH-66 Comanche platform
will be added at a yet to be determined date.
The AVCATT-A program is an essential element in the Army's strategy to create a virtual
war-gaming environment that will enable aviators to train within networked simulators that
can be reconfigured to replicate attack, reconnaissance or utility helicopters. Based on
this technology, Army aviators will be able to practice a full range of tactical scenarios
over a common virtual battlefield as a team for the first time ever. In addition, AVCATT-A
trainers will be interoperable with the service's currently fielded simulators supporting
ground-based mechanized armor unit training.
This contract award follows separate contracts Link received in late 1999 and mid-2001
to build the first two suites for the AVCATT-A program. Suites one and two will be delivered
to the Army during the second quarter of 2002, with installations taking place at Fort Hood,
TX and Fort Rucker, AL.
"The combined arms tactical training capability offered by AVCATT-A's reconfigurable
manned modules will enable commanders to mix and match helicopter platforms and enable
aircrews to work as a cohesive unit while undertaking complex simulated training missions,"
said Jim Dunn, president of Link Simulation and Training. "Immediately following these
exercises, commanders and aircrews will be able to determine in the After Action Review
theater what went right, what went wrong and what skills or tactics need to be further honed.
In AVCATT-A, you've got a complete team training and classroom system."
Each of these deployable helicopter training suites will be housed in two 53-foot
semitrailers. Due to the training suites' deployable capability, Army aviators will be
able to have a home base trainer on the front line that will help prepare them for challenging
worldwide military operations for the first time ever.
Training on the AVCATT-A system, active Army and Army National Guard aviators will be
able to fight and train under a wide range of simulated conditions. These conditions -
including battlefield smoke; weapons effects; blowing snow; dust or sand; and variances in
wind, visibility and cloud ceiling - can be replicated under day, dusk or night environments.
A realistic, virtual training environment will be supported by intelligent semi-automated
forces. These forces, both friendly and opposing, will support a highly competitive fighting
environment to maximize training effectiveness. Under its initial AVCATT-A contract, Link is
providing three geo-specific terrain data bases that simulate the Army's National Training
Center in Fort Irwin, CA, central Germany and Fort Hood.
AVCATT-A pilot trainers will be designed to integrate directly into the Army's command,
control, communication, computers and intelligence systems. Battalion or brigade staff
personnel, working at stations within their administrative and tactical operations center,
will control battlefield support elements and combat forces participating in a simulated
engagement.
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.
