Cubic's Tactical Common Data Link Excels in Recent Flight Tests; Demonstrates Interoperability with Existing Systems.

SAN DIEGO -- Recent flight tests have proved the high quality air-to-ground transmission capability and interoperability of a new Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) developed by Cubic Corporation (AMEX:CUB). In three separate tests sponsored by industry partners and government agencies, Cubic's digital data link was used for multibeam communications, transmission of rocket telemetry data, and real-time video streaming during a counterterrorism training exercise.

"These important tests pave the way for increased use of Cubic's high-performing and cost-effective data link system in defense and homeland security markets," said Richard M. Lober, senior vice president and general manager of Cubic's Communications Business Unit.

Cubic's TCDL received Joint Interoperability Test Command certification two years ago. More recently, under a 2003 contract, the narrowband TCDL technology has been leveraged in the Navy's wideband Communications Data Link System (CDLS). So far, orders for the Navy CDLS program have reached $54.7 million.

"These real-world tests, and the Department of Defense's choice of our system for wideband requirements such as communications with U-2 and SHARP reconnaissance pods, show that Cubic's system meets DoD goals for an interoperable Common Data Link (CDL) and TCDL system," Lober said.

The first of the three recent flight tests was conducted in March at ITT Industries' Loop Canyon facility near Van Nuys, Calif. A Cubic TCDL aboard a Cubic Corporation aircraft linked with ITT's Multiple Link Antenna System (MLAS), an electronically steered, phased-array multibeam antenna located on a 6,000-foot mountain peak. ITT's MLAS enables simultaneous, bi-directional links between the antenna and four sensor aircraft.

"The success of the Loop Canyon flight test can be tied directly to a 'can do' Cubic approach to program support and a highly adaptable TCDL equipment design. The integration of the Cubic TCDL communications equipment with the ITT Gilfillan antenna has been an ideal match," said Richard Jones, program manager for ITT Industries, Gilfillan Division.

On April 20, Cubic's TCDL participated in a joint test sponsored by Lockheed Martin, the California Space Authority, and the U.S. Air Force.

Cubic's TCDL and a Lockheed Martin sensor payload flew aboard a CIRPAS Pelican aircraft in a test of tracking and data transmission capability. The Lockheed Martin sensors successfully tracked a Delta II rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, Calif., carrying NASA's Gravity Probe B. Cubic's TCDL transferred telemetry data received from the rocket to ground crews at the airbase. The test was part of the Range Systems Transformation Laboratory (RSTL) program. This program is a critical component in proving the mobile range concept and supports evolving space launch requirements.

"We are pleased at how well the payload and instrumentation performed. This was a critical step in providing a new generation of cost-effective and extremely capable range technologies," said Ken Griese, Lockheed Martin's RSTL program manager.

In a May test conducted at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, Cubic's TCDL linked with ITT's MLAS phased-array antenna to stream high-speed video across a Ku band data link. Representatives from the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, NASA, SAIC and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NAVSEA) Dahlgren Division also participated in the test, which was sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program. Cubic's data link technology was placed aboard an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aircraft, helicopter, truck and fixed ground station, and transmitted data about a simulated terrorist event to the 1st Air Force's Joint Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center (JBECC) and from there to State Police cruisers, fire and rescue personnel, a Joint EOD team, and to legacy man-portable military radios with the troops chasing the terrorists -- all in real time.

"The small size and weight of the Cubic TCDL was crucial in allowing the integration of the radio with multiple pointing phased-array antennas located on the ground and on fixed and rotary wing platforms," said Ted Stanford, U.S. Army, Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, Operational Manager for the ACTD.

Cubic's TCDL was developed by the company's Communications Business Unit, part of Cubic Defense Applications (CDA). CDA provides realistic combat training systems for military forces, as well as mission support services for training and exercises, modeling and simulation, force modernization, educational services, curriculum design and development, web-based learning solutions, operations and maintenance and manufacturing services. The group also supplies products and systems for C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) applications, search and rescue avionics and radio communications for military and civil markets. The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's Web site at www.cubic.com.