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L-3 Awarded Contract for C-17 Training System Program

Dépèche transmise le 18 mai 2011 par Business Wire

L-3 Awarded Contract for C-17 Training System Program

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) unit has been awarded a contract to operate the U.S. Air Force’s C-17 Training System (TS) program. In addition to an initial one-year award, the program includes four one-year options and an additional option for two more years of training support. The contract, which was originally awarded in November 2010, has a maximum potential value that is expected to be $976 million.

“Our goal throughout the life of the C-17 Training System will be to reduce overall contract costs, identify program improvement opportunities, provide innovative solutions and maximize the synergies between all areas of C-17 training operations.”

L-3 Link will operate the Air Force’s C-17 TS program as the prime contractor, combining the former stand-alone C-17 Aircrew Training System (ATS) and Maintenance Training System (MTS) programs under a single contract. The C-17 TS is the Air Force’s largest airlift transport training system.

“L-3 Link and our teammate, AAI Corporation, will provide a low-risk transition in support of both C-17 aircrew and maintenance training,” said Leonard Genna, president of L-3 Link. “Our goal throughout the life of the C-17 Training System will be to reduce overall contract costs, identify program improvement opportunities, provide innovative solutions and maximize the synergies between all areas of C-17 training operations.”

In support of the C-17 TS, L-3 Link will oversee the program management, training device modifications, courseware development, instruction and concurrency management between the training system and aircraft platform. AAI Corporation, which has operated the C-17 MTS since 1997, is responsible for maintenance training device production and modification in addition to all C-17 TS contractor logistics support. AAI will manage the C-17 maintenance training operation, while the U.S. Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command will continue to provide maintenance instruction. The C-17 TS operates 10 installations throughout the United States, including the newest C-17 installation at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.

AAI Corporation and its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, Aerosonde Pty Ltd and ESL Defence Limited design, produce and support industry-leading aerospace and defense products and services, including unmanned aircraft and ground control technologies; high-fidelity training and simulation systems; automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment; armament systems; and logistical, engineering, supply chain and operational support services. AAI is an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.

L-3 Link Simulation & Training is a world leader in providing total training solutions for operators and maintainers across a wide range of military platforms and Air Traffic Control systems. L-3 Link’s innovative solutions provide a full spectrum of state-of-the-art training technologies, including high-fidelity immersive simulations, as well as distributed academic and interactive courseware. The company has delivered military training systems to customer locations throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. L-3 Link is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, with key bases of operation in Binghamton, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Phoenix, Ariz. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.link.com.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs approximately 63,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in C³ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems, aircraft modernization and maintenance, and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of electronic systems used on military and commercial platforms. The company reported 2010 sales of $15.7 billion.

To learn more about L-3, please visit the company's website at www.L-3com.com. L-3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding L-3 is routinely posted on the company’s website and is readily accessible.

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. 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," “will,” "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.