Cubic to Provide 1st Joint Mobile Training System for Alaska Training Range.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2002

Cubic Corporation (AMEX:CUB) has won a contract to provide the first joint mobile training system for the U.S. Armed Forces. The $4 million contract calls for the development of three Alaska Mobile Units (AMUs) and MILES 2000 laser-based training systems for the Alaska Training Range.

The AMU is an outgrowth of Cubic's Deployable System for Training & Readiness (DSTAR) -- a mobile exercise control center that provides live simulation training and feedback on units' performance.

Cubic is teamed with Tec-Masters (TMI) on the program, which is managed for the Army by the U.S. Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM). The effort is an expansion of the Alaska Training Range Evolution Plan.

The new equipment will increase the Army's participation in the "Cope Thunder/Northern Edge" -- an intense two-week exercise that provides realistic combat training for aircrews and ground forces.

"This integrated capability will significantly enhance force-on-force training for the Army, and combat search-and-rescue operations for the Air Force," said Gerald Dinkel, president and CEO of Cubic Defense Applications, Inc. "We are pleased to provide a world-class mobile training center that cost-effectively integrates Army and Air Force components at the Alaska Training Range."

The Alaska Mobile Units consist of environmentally controlled shelters, provided by Tec-Masters, that will be outfitted with Cubic's sophisticated instrumented tracking systems and mobile After Action Review (AAR) equipment.

At the heart of the unit is Cubic's personal computer instrumentation system, which provides fifth-generation exercise control capabilities and streamlines the development of AARs. When used in conjunction with the MILES 2000 digital player units, the system allows commanders to view on personal or laptop computers -- in near real-time -- the troops' movements and locations. It also indicates if troops have been "hit," "missed" or "killed" with the simulated laser bullets.

"After each training mission, forces then review their performance during the AARs," said Sam Long, Cubic Defense Applications program manager. Long noted that the program represents a major infusion of MILES 2000 into Cope Thunder's search-and-rescue exercises.

Under this contract, Cubic will provide 450 Individual Weapon Systems that include Small Arms Transmitters, helmets and vests. A total of 225 GPS-based player units will be incorporated into the H-Harness vests, which will provide near real-time tracking capabilities.

Under a previous contract, Cubic delivered 33 similar MILES 2000 player units for Cope Thunder training exercises. Cubic also received a contract last year to integrate combat search-and-rescue with ground combat training.

The Cope Thunder exercises rely on the Cubic-developed Alaska "rangeless" Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (Alaska ACMI) systems at Elemendorf and Eielson Air Force bases. With recent software upgrades, the Alaska ACMI systems now feature global positioning satellite tracking and encryption capabilities for highly secure data transmission during training. Cubic recently installed its Individual Combat Aircrew Display System (ICADS) last year at the Alaskan Air Force Bases that provide PC-based aircrew debriefs.

The Cubic Defense Applications group, one of Cubic's two major segments, produces instrumented air and ground combat training systems, MILES 2000, battle command training, simulations and simulation support for U.S. and allied military forces. The group also produces high technology avionics, data links and communications products for government and commercial customers, and a wide range of technical and logistics services. 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 website at www.cubic.com.