NEW YORK, NY, December 17, 2002 - L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL)
today announced that its EER Systems, Inc. and Link Simulation
and Training divisions have received a $39.9 million award
from Naval Air Systems Command Training Systems Division (NAVAIR
TSD) in Orlando, FL to develop the service's first F/A-18C
Distributed Mission Training (DMT) system. EER, the prime
contractor for the F/A-18C DMT, received the award from NAVAIR
Orlando TSD as a delivery order under the Navy's FY2000 Training
Systems Contract.
The
initial F/A-18C DMT suite, which will be built and integrated
at Link's Arlington, TX operation, will be delivered to Naval
Air Station Oceana, VA. The Navy could exercise an option
for a second F/A-18C DMT suite, which would be installed at
Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA. The F/A-18C DMT suite will
consist of four high fidelity, networked trainers. These trainers
will enable F/A-18C pilots to train in tactical deployment
as a division within a highly realistic, simulated environment
for the first time.
"The F/A-18C DMT is the first step in the Navy's sweeping
plan to implement training in a distributed environment that
will mirror the spectrum of future conflicts where success
hinges on multi-unit, joint and possibly coalition operations,"
said Frank Lanza, chairman and chief executive officer of
L-3 Communications. "This network of F/A-18C simulators will
provide tactically relevant collective training for division-level
simulated exercises, contributing significantly to the Navy's
goal to achieve realistic fleet training."
The F/A-18C DMT is part of the Navy Aviation Simulation Master
Plan. This plan calls for all of the service's assets that
operate in the air, on land and at sea to train in a fully
integrated, synthetic battlespace.
"The F/A-18C DMT system will provide state-of-the-art training
that will be used during the interdeployment training cycle
to ensure pilot readiness levels are maintained," said Capt.
Larry Howard, program manager for NAVAIR Aviation Training
Systems. "The fleet is depending on this collective team.
Navy leadership believes in what this partnership brings to
combat readiness."
Four high fidelity tactical operational flight trainers are
at the center of the F/A-18C DMT system. The trainers will
be integrated with Link's new personal computer image generation
system, SimuView™, to provide out-the-window and cockpit sensor
imagery. The out-the-window imagery will be projected onto
Link's SimuSphere™ visual display system. A nine-facet SimuSphere
visual system display will provide pilots operating each of
the F/A-18C Tactical Operational Flight Trainers with a 360°
out-the-window field-of-view of sky, terrain and targets.
EER Systems, Inc., based in Chantilly, VA, is a recognized
industry leader providing a wide range of technology-based
services, support and products to federal, state and local
governments and to the private sector. Founded in 1979, EER's
primary business areas include training and simulation, information
technology services, systems engineering, integrated security
solutions, business and program management and intelligence
community services. EER is one of five contractors operating
as a prime contractor for NAVAIR Orlando on the indefinite
delivery; indefinite quantity FY2000 Training Systems Contract
(Lot I) under which the F/A-18C DMT order was awarded. EER
is also a major provider of services and products to the U.S.
Navy having major operations in China Lake, CA; Patuxent River,
MD; and Orlando, FL.
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.
