TRW Comanche Subcontract Increased $56 Million.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 1997--TRW has received a subcontract increase from Boeing Helicopters Division to implement a significant addition to the ongoing TRW avionics program for the U.S. Army Comanche Weapons System.

This subcontract change expands the scope of work from a single prototype development to an Early Operational Capability Program with TRW delivering seven operational flight systems. Contract value has been increased by $56 million to a total contract value of almost $93 million.

This subcontract expansion will provide the Comanche Weapon System with an advanced avionics and communications package that will demonstrate advanced reconnaissance capability on the digital battlefield, especially during Force XXI-related exercises.

The first set of avionics will be delivered to Boeing Helicopters Division in time for first flight in July 2000. The remaining will be delivered to support U.S. Army training in 2001.

Frank Flores, TRW program director for Comanche Avionics, said: ``We are very excited about embarking on this next challenging phase of the Comanche Program. TRW's approach is to leverage the products already being developed on the U.S. Air Force F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter program to the Comanche helicopter. It is a win/win situation for the U.S. Army and U.S. taxpayer.

``The TRW integrated communications navigation identification avionics (ICNIA) system will provide the connectivity on the Army's emerging digital battlefield which is required for the Comanche Weapon System to meet the U.S. Army's long-term requirements for a more mobile, quick strike force.''

The integrated avionics for the Comanche is a two-rack system providing UHF/VHF communications, transponder capability and full connectivity with the Digital Battlefield, including all Applique-program established protocols. Its configuration is composed of line replaceable modules (LRM) in Standard Electronic Form Factor E (SEM-E) packaging.

The design features two-level maintenance, reconfigurability and programmable signal-processing capability which provides for platform growth to easily accommodate future communications wave forms.

``The Comanche design is an innovative combination of existing designs from advanced Air Force and U.S. Army avionics and communication programs, coupled with new antenna, RF and custom processing modules,'' said Flores.

The first flight system for aircraft integration will be delivered by June 1999. This will be preceded by a laboratory system delivered by October 1998. A Block II software update will be completed in July 2000. The remaining six systems will be delivered between March 2001 and September 2001.

Boeing Defense & Space Group, Helicopters Division, produces the CH-47D Chinook tandem rotor helicopter, the world's most reliable and capable heavy-lift rotorcraft, in service with the U.S. Army and nearly 20 international customers.

It is developing the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force and Special Operations Command in partnership with Bell Helicopter Textron; and the RAH-66 Comanche, the U.S. Army's 21st-century combat helicopter, with its partner, Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies.

TRW Avionics Systems Division, San Diego, is part of TRW Space & Electronics Group, with headquarters in Redondo Beach, Calif. TRW Space & Electronics Group is a leader in avionics systems, software- support systems, space systems, spaceborne electronic subsystems and other advanced technologies for national security and civil space.

The group is an operating unit of Cleveland-based TRW Inc., which provides advanced-technology products and services for the automotive and space and defense markets worldwide.

TRW Inc.'s 1996 sales totaled approximately $9.86 million.

CONTACT: TRW Avionics Systems Division, San Diego

Bob Such, 619/592-3478

619/592-3284 (fax)