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L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that NASA's
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) completed its
first test flight following extensive aircraft modification and
telescope integration at L-3 Integrated Systems in Waco, Texas.
SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP, which was extensively modified to carry a
45,000-pound (20 metric ton), 98.4-inch (2.5-meter) diameter infrared
telescope assembly provided by the German Aerospace Center, DLR. SOFIA
maintains altitudes up to 45,000 feet (13.7 km), which is high above
more than 99 percent of the Earth's water vapor - to capture infrared
images and spectra that are not possible to capture using the largest
ground-based telescopes.
L-3 performed the most dramatic physical modifications ever made
to a 747 aircraft. This effort was conducted by L-3 without the
involvement of the aircraft's original equipment manufacturer.
"SOFIA reflects the expertise that makes L-3 Integrated Systems
the industry's most accomplished independent aircraft integrator,"
said Bob Drewes, Corporate Senior Vice President, and President and
Chief Operating Officer of the L-3 Integrated Systems Group. "This
observatory combines extensive aeronautical engineering and our major
modification ability to produce a flying marvel."
The program was awarded by NASA in 1996 to a combined U.S. and
German team. The first metal on the aircraft was cut by L-3 in 2000,
as installation began on a reinforced, pressurized bulkhead that
helped create a cavity in the rear of the aircraft where the telescope
assembly was later installed. In addition to the aircraft structural
modifications and the telescope assembly installation, major aircraft
activities performed by L-3 included:
-- Installation of an approximately 16-foot tall cavity door
designed to open in flight to permit telescope observations;
-- Installation of a complex liquid-nitrogen cooling system used
to pre-cool the telescope cavity to match thermal conditions
when the cavity door is opened at altitude;
-- Performance of heavy depot-level maintenance and service
bulletin incorporation on the 747SP, which flew in commercial
service from 1977 to 1995.
"We are thrilled that SOFIA has taken to the air and congratulate
L-3 on their accomplishment. We look forward to the day when SOFIA
will become a world-class astronomical research facility," said Dr.
Frederick A. Tarantino, President of Universities Space Research
Association (USRA), SOFIA's science and mission operations contractor.
For more information on SOFIA, visit www.sofia.usra.edu.
L-3 Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) develops and integrates defense
and commercial technology for U.S. and allied customers worldwide.
Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 IS has more than five decades
of experience in the development of complex intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance systems; command and control; and secure
communications. It is recognized internationally as a systems
integration organization specializing in the modernization and
maintenance of aircraft of all sizes. It is a leader in advanced
technologies for signal processing, electronic countermeasures, sensor
development and aircraft self-protection. Systems provided or
maintained by L-3 IS help protect military and civilian personnel,
bases, assets and national borders throughout the world.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over
63,000 people worldwide and is a prime system contractor in aircraft
modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control,
Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems
and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high
technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2006
sales of $12.5 billion.
To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit the company's
web site at www.L-3Com.com.
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REFORM ACT OF 1995
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters
set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements.
Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to
events or conditions or that include words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "could"
and similar expressions 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. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
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