C-27J Team Meets Entry Gate Criteria for The JCA Program.

NEW YORK -- The C-27J Team of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Group, Alenia North America (an Alenia Aeronautica /Finmeccanica Company), Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (NYSE:BA), and Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS) is pleased to announce that its team offering has successfully met the Entry Gate criteria for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program.

The L-3 response to the joint U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force request for proposal was submitted in June with Phase I in the evaluation process (the Government's Entry Gate assessment) now complete.

"We are very pleased that the C-27J has passed the JCA Entry Gate criteria," said Bob Drewes, President and COO of L-3 Integrated Systems Group. "We look forward to Phase II, Proposal Evaluation, and Phase III, Early User Survey as we are confident that our total system solution meets all the requirements of this program. The C-27J can perform the JCA mission today."

As the first step in the proposal evaluation process, the U.S. Government has completed Phase I, Entry Gate Go/No Go evaluation of the offeror's proposal. To be rated Go, offerors are required to meet the Go/No Go requirements as defined in the JCA Request for Proposal.

The C-27J is an effective, multi-mission cargo aircraft that will fill the current capability gap in joint aerial delivery based on its ability to transport critical cargo and personnel, self-deploy over strategic distances, land in austere locations, operate autonomously, and provide routine and combat aerial sustainment to the joint force.

"This announcement indicates that the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force both recognize the unique capabilities of our C-27J aircraft, our team and of our JCA offering as a whole," said Giuseppe Giordo, President, Alenia North America. "We are looking forward to demonstrate these capabilities in the Early User survey this Fall."

"Boeing is a proud partner in what we expect to be a winning team," said on Marcotte, Vice President and General Manager for Boeing Global Mobility Systems. "We will continue to work side-by-side to ensure a positive outcome in this competition."

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.

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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