L-3 Communications' Link Simulation and Training Receives $19 Million AVCATT-A Production Contract.

Business and Technology Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2001

L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) today announced that its Link Simulation and Training division has been awarded a $19.7 million contract to build suites three and four of the U.S. Army's Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer - Aviation Reconfigurable Manned Simulator (AVCATT-A) program.

The two helicopter training suites being produced by Link under this new contract will be delivered to the Army in the fourth quarter of 2002.

An AVCATT-A suite consists of six reconfigurable simulators, a battle master control room and an after action review theater. The two training suites initially will be delivered with four reconfigurable simulator types, including the AH-64A Apache, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47D Chinook. The AH-64D Longbow Apache reconfigurable manned module is slated to be added to the training suites in May 2003 and the RAH-66 Comanche platform will be added at a yet to be determined date.

The AVCATT-A program is an essential element in the Army's strategy to create a virtual war-gaming environment that will enable aviators to train within networked simulators that can be reconfigured to replicate attack, reconnaissance or utility helicopters. Based on this technology, Army aviators will be able to practice a full range of tactical scenarios over a common virtual battlefield as a team for the first time ever. In addition, AVCATT-A trainers will be interoperable with the service's currently fielded simulators supporting ground-based mechanized armor unit training.

This contract award follows separate contracts Link received in late 1999 and mid-2001 to build the first two suites for the AVCATT-A program. Suites one and two will be delivered to the Army during the second quarter of 2002, with installations taking place at Fort Hood, TX and Fort Rucker, AL.

"The combined arms tactical training capability offered by AVCATT-A's reconfigurable manned modules will enable commanders to mix and match helicopter platforms and enable aircrews to work as a cohesive unit while undertaking complex simulated training missions," said Jim Dunn, president of Link Simulation and Training. "Immediately following these exercises, commanders and aircrews will be able to determine in the after action review theater what went right, what went wrong and what skills or tactics need to be further honed. In AVCATT-A, you've got a complete team training and classroom system."

Each of these deployable helicopter training suites will be housed in two 53-foot semitrailers. Due to the training suites' deployable capability, Army aviators will be able to have a home base trainer on the front line that will help prepare them for challenging worldwide military operations for the first time ever.

Training on the AVCATT-A system, active Army and Army National Guard aviators will be able to fight and train under a wide range of simulated conditions. These conditions - including battlefield smoke; weapons effects; blowing snow; dust or sand; and variances in wind, visibility and cloud ceiling - can be replicated under day, dusk or night environments.

A realistic, virtual training environment will be supported by intelligent semi-automated forces. These forces, both friendly and opposing, will support a highly competitive fighting environment to maximize training effectiveness. Under its initial AVCATT-A contract, Link is providing three geo-specific terrain data bases that simulate the Army's National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA, central Germany and Fort Hood.

AVCATT-A pilot trainers will be designed to integrate directly into the Army's command, control, communication, computers and intelligence systems. Battalion or brigade staff personnel, working at stations within their administrative and tactical operations center, will control battlefield support elements and combat forces participating in a simulated engagement.

Link Simulation and Training is a systems integration organization that delivers and supports training systems and equipment designed to enhance operational proficiency. Link's full range of services include conducting front end analysis, program design, course development and production, interactive distance learning, simulator design and production, training implementation, training evaluation, training management and field support.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading merchant supplier of secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean products, training products, microwave components and telemetry, instrumentation, space and wireless products. Its customers include the Department of Defense, selected U.S. government intelligence agencies, aerospace prime contractors and commercial telecommunications and wireless customers.

To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit the company's web site at www.L-3Com.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-looking Statements included in the company's recent filings, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.