Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer program expands to include M109A6 Paladin howitzer crew trainer.

ARLINGTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 1996--Hughes Training Inc., prime contractor for the Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (FSCATT) program, has been notified by the U.S. Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command to expand Phase I of the program by developing and fielding an M109A6 Paladin howitzer crew trainer.

Since award of the program in July 1995, Hughes Training and its FSCATT teammates have focused on development of training devices and systems for the M109A5.

The decision to expand the FSCATT program is based on a recent Army decision to expand modernization of its self-propelled artillery units. By the year 2000, the Army's force level will include 23 M109A6 Paladin battalions in the active component. The National Guard will have 14 M109A6 Paladin battalions, 36 M109A5 battalions and seven separate M109A5 batteries. Over time, all National Guard units will transition to the Paladin.

During the FSCATT Phase I, Hughes Training and its teammates are developing and fielding a system of training devices that will enable artillery gunnery soldiers to train individually or as a team.

These devices -- which include a howitzer crew trainer, howitzer strap-on trainer, collective training control subsystem and GUARDFIST II -- will support realistic training under a full range of environmental conditions without the costly expenditure of ammunition and operation and maintenance of tactical equipment.

The M109A5 and M109A6 howitzer crew trainers will be fully integrated with an array of sensors to monitor individual and crew performance. The sensors will measure direction and elevation settings on the fire control instruments, resulting in deflection, quadrant elevation and bubble leveling.

Sensors also will monitor projectile selection, fuze selection and setting, propellant selection and orientation, and ramming and firing procedures.

FSCATT is the Army's only Defense Acquisition Pilot Program, an acquisition reform initiative designed to expedite and streamline the acquisition process. The program, which has minimal military specifications and few reporting requirements, is managed by industry and government representatives working on integrated product and process teams.

Initial FSCATT devices will be available in March 1997, including two M109A5 howitzer crew trainers, 36 howitzer strap-on trainers and five collective training control subsystems. The 36 howitzer strap-on trainers, which are attached by soldiers to actual howitzers to support training exercises, are being designed to support five currently fielded howitzer systems.

Starting the third quarter of 1997, Hughes Training will begin delivery of eight M109A5 howitzer crew trainers, one M109A6 howitzer crew trainer, 148 howitzer strap-on trainers and 24 collective training control subsystems. Full-scale production is expected to begin in early 1997 and will continue through 2001.

Hughes Training's FSCATT team members include United Defense Limited Partnership; AAI Corp.; Statistica Inc.; Military Professional Resources Inc.; Fidelity Technologies; and Analysis and Technology Inc.

Hughes Training Inc. is a unit of Hughes Aircraft Co., which is a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. The earnings of Hughes Electronics are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to GMH (NYSE symbol) common stock.

CONTACT: Hughes Aircraft, Arlington

Rick Oyler, 817/619-3536