C-27J Begins Its Early User Survey for Joint Cargo Aircraft Competition.

NEW YORK -- The C-27J team of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Group, a subsidiary of L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL), Alenia North America (a Finmeccanica Company), Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (NYSE:BA), and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS) announced today that the C-27J has begun the Early User Survey (EUS) - the next step in the competition for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program.

During the EUS, the C-27J team will demonstrate that their aircraft meets all JCA requirements including the efficient transloading of pallets and other cargo, the loading and unloading of a full-up armored HMMWV, and the ability to convert the aircraft into a MEDEVAC configuration for transporting of wounded. This aircraft will also demonstrate its ability to airdrop cargo and personnel, land and takeoff from short unpaved airfields, and operate autonomously from austere locations. The plane will be evaluated by members of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. The survey will be performed at three locations: Pope Air Force Base, South Carolina and Maxwell Air Force Base and Ft. Rucker in Alabama.

The C-27J is a true military airlift system with exceptional short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance, unequalled ruggedness, survivability, reliability, and self-deployable features. It is the only military off-the-shelf solution designed to meet the Joint Force commander's need to deliver equipment and troops where they are needed when they are needed.

The C-27J Spartan is the latest in a successful tradition of military airlifters including the C-27A Spartan and the G-222, which have been deployed by the United States, NATO, Coalition Forces, the United Nations, and Italy in support of military and humanitarian operations in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Congo, Operations Desert Shield and Storm, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras, Kosovo, Libya, Mali, Panama, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen. C-27A Spartans are currently carrying out vital counter-drug activities for the United States in Central and South America. The C-27J has proven capable of performing logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and missions of support of Homeland Security. The EUS is scheduled to last approximately two weeks.

In addition to L-3, Alenia and Boeing, the C-27J team includes Rolls Royce and Honeywell who provide significant commonality with the United States military aviation assets through the supply of the latest propulsion systems and state of the art avionics.

About Alenia North America

Alenia North America's mission is to further expand the industrial and commercial presence of the Alenia Group in North America and it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company. Alenia North America Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Seattle, Washington; Long Beach, California; and Fort Worth, Texas. Alenia North America - Canada, a subsidiary wholly owned by Alenia North America, has offices in Ottawa, Canada. Alenia North America is also a shareholder in Global Aeronautica, a joint venture with Vought Aircraft Company, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, which performs significant integration and sub assembly work for the Boeing 787 program.

Alenia Aeronautica, headquartered in Rome, Italy is a company of the Finmeccanica Group. Alenia Aeronautica has revenues in excess of 2.046 billion Euros and a total work force of more 10,500 employees. Its main activities comprise design and production of commercial and military aircraft, design and production of aerostructures for military and civil aircraft and through Alenia Aeronavali, a wholly owned subsidiary, the overall maintenance and modification of military and civil aircraft. Alenia Aeronautica is a partner of and cooperates with the major global aerospace groups, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, EADS, Dassault, BAE Systems and Vought.

About L-3 Communications

L-3 IS is recognized internationally as a system integration organization specializing in the modernization and maintenance of aircraft of all sizes, and the study, design, development, and integration of special mission systems for military and commercial applications. The company has modified more than 15,000 different aircraft of more than 125 types. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 IS operates from multiple sites in Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama and Australia.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading provider of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services. The company is a leading merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components. L-3 also supports a variety of Homeland Security initiatives with products and services.

Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. Government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors.

To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit the company's Web site at www.L-3Com.com.

About Boeing Integrated Defense Systems

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer; a foremost developer of advanced concepts and technologies; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

About Global Military Aircraft Systems

Global Military Aircrafts Systems (GMAS) is a joint venture between L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (L-3 IS), a division of L-3 Communications, and Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company), through its Alenia North America Inc. subsidiary. GMAS aims to provide the U.S. Army and U.S Air Force with a solution for its Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) operational and support requirements, and to pursue the opportunities with the Department of Defense (DoD) and internationally, through the production and the outfit of the C-27J tactical transport aircraft.

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