Cubic's Advanced Aircrew Display System to Support ``Cope Thunder'' Training in Alaska.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 2001

Cubic Defense Systems, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Cubic Corp. (AMEX:CUB), has installed its new "Top Gun" aircrew display system at Elemendorf and Eielson Air Force Bases, Alaska, to support the Pacific Air Force's "Cope Thunder" training exercises.

The Individual Combat Aircrew Display System (ICADS(R)) is a breakthrough in air combat debriefing technology, because it allows combat pilots to analyze their performance on standard PCs or portable laptops -- anywhere they can fly.

The system is compatible with fixed and autonomous/rangeless Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation systems around the world and supports up to 100 high-activity aircraft.

"ICADS is the most reliable, portable and user-friendly PC-based aircrew system in operation today. The addition of ICADS at the Alaska bases will simplify and enhance the training experience for pilots participating in Cope Thunder and reduce future operations and maintenance costs," said Dianna Granum, senior business development manager for Cubic's Air Combat Training Systems.

"Unlike older debrief systems, which run on expensive Unix-based platforms, ICADS is designed as an open system software package compatible with commercially available PCs," Granum said. "As a result, it is inexpensive to purchase and maintain, and much easier to install and operate."

The Alaska installation marks the second deployment of ICADS for live air combat training missions. Cubic first deployed the system at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., last year during the 25th Anniversary celebration of "Red Flag" -- the premier training exercise for U.S. Air Force pilots. ICADS is now an integral element of Red Flag, which relies on the Cubic-developed Nellis Air Combat Training System (NACTS).

In Alaska, Cubic installed a total of nine ICADS workstations in early July at Elemendorf and Eielson Air Force Bases, which provide support for Cope Thunder -- a joint services, 10-day combat training exercise conducted over the ranges four times a year. Cope Thunder relies on the Alaskan rangeless Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation systems at Elemendorf and Eielson, which Cubic installed in the mid-1990s. With recent software upgrades provided by Cubic, the Alaska ACMI systems now feature global positioning satellite tracking and encryption capabilities for highly secure data transmission during training.

In support of Cope Thunder, Cubic is also under contract to provide the first combat training system to integrate search-and-rescue capabilities with the air and ground combat training systems. The effort includes providing Eielson Air Base with a new PC-base Range Instrumentation System (PC-RIS) -- a ground-based version of ICADS -- that will provide real-time tracking of ground forces on a commercially available PC.

The integration of ICADS at the two Alaska bases will provide enhanced 2-D, 3-D and alphanumerical views of Cope Thunder air combat training events. The system gives aircrews more than a half-dozen graphic views, including threat domes, boresight, cockpit, threat operator, missile chase, altitude, quad and chase views.

Along with Cope Thunder and NACTS, ICADS will be integrated into the Cubic-built Alpena-Kadena Instrumentation System for Michigan Air National Guard's rangeless training exercises. It has also been selected as the premier debrief system for the Royal Netherlands Air Forces' new Autonomous Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation system and the U.K.'s Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing System.

ICADS is an outgrowth of the technology Cubic developed in 1972 with the development of the first "Top Gun" training system for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force in the early 1970s. Today, Cubic has the largest installed base of TACTS/ACMI systems around the world.

Cubic Defense Systems is part of the Cubic Defense Group, which produces instrumented air and ground combat training systems for both the U.S. and allied military forces. In addition, the Defense Group produces avionics, data links and communications systems, provides support for military simulations and battle command training, and provides product logistical support services. The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities worldwide.