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L-3 Communications Demonstrates Production-Ready Net-Centric Multi-Platform Common Data Link Using Multiple Aircraft

Posted on: Tuesday, 12 December 2006, 09:00 CST

L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today the successful completion of flight tests of its IP-enabled, wideband Multi-Platform Common Data Link (MP-CDL) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Flying multiple missions on two Big Crow NKC-135 aircraft, L-3's MP-CDL demonstrated high capacity net-centric communications between aircraft and from the aircraft to the Global Information Grid (GIG), the Internet, and the public switched telephone network using the Department of Defense's (DoD) Network CDL, Standard CDL, and Advanced CDL waveforms at data rates up to 274 Mbps and ranges beyond 300 nautical miles. This initiative was also supported by L-3's Integrated Systems unit.

"High capacity, mobile networking is a key enabler of the transformed capabilities America needs for its warfighters," said Curtis Brunson, President of L-3's Communication Systems-West (CS-West) division. "The success of the Big Crow MP-CDL flight tests proves these capabilities are available today."

A product of CS-West, MP-CDL is a production-ready data link delivering advanced communications capabilities including automatic self-healing network formation, IP routing, adaptive transmit power and data rate selection, automatic signal acquisition and jam resistance. Network applications demonstrated simultaneously on Big Crow through the MP-CDL terminals included multiple simultaneous high bandwidth video streams, video teleconferencing, high-definition video, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with access to the public switched telephone network and Internet access to the World Wide Web and e-mail. The Big Crow flights passed high-bandwidth data from one aircraft to the other, automatically routing traffic through to the ground site and distant networks when required. Standard Ethernet interfaces allowed personal computers onboard the aircraft to communicate through the system to the Internet at high data rates, with a variety of user application software. Simultaneous video transmission to L-3's manpackable ROVER III terminal validated the system's ability to provide real-time, full-motion video through the net-centric MP-CDL terminal directly to warfighters on the ground.

Additionally, L-3 Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) demonstrated their third generation EV-3 Office In The Sky application suite with the MP-CDL system and utilized the high bandwidth, net-centric data link capability to provide an eight-way real time Video Teleconferencing (VTC) connecting the two airborne platforms and multiple ground locations, including Washington, DC. Their integrated VoIP was also used to provide connectivity with the public telephone networks.

CS-West, located in Salt Lake City, UT, is the preeminent supplier of wideband data links and mobile surface and airborne satellite terminals for military applications in the world. CS-West has over 50 years of experience in providing robust, mobile microwave, satellite terminals and wideband data links for airborne platforms, including manned and unmanned platforms, operating in a variety of environments.

L-3 IS is recognized internationally as a system integration organization specializing in the modernization and maintenance of aircraft of all sizes, and the study, design, development and integration of special reconnaissance and communication systems for military and commercial purposes. The company has modified more than 15,000 different aircraft of more than 125 types. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 IS operates from multiple sites in Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, Georgia, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading provider of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services. The company is a leading merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components. L-3 also supports a variety of Homeland Security initiatives with products and services. Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. Government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors.

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. 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" 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.

Source: Business Wire

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