L-3 to Improve P-3 Aircraft Availability for Department of Homeland Security

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004--L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL - News) has announced that its Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) division, in a teaming agreement with recently acquired subsidiary L-3 Vertex Aerospace (L-3 Vertex), is performing a consolidated structural inspection process at its Waco, Texas facility to improve P-3 aircraft availability for the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.). Through 2009, the program is expected to generate approximately $30 million in total sales revenue for L-3 IS and provide employment for as many as 30 additional employees at L-3's Waco facility. This award expands the scope of L-3's work in support of the I.C.E. P-3 fleet. Mississippi-based L-3 Vertex, provides integrated contract logistics services to I.C.E., including aircraft maintenance and repair performed at multiple branch locations of I.C.E.'s Office of Air and Marine Operations (OAMO), formerly the U.S. Customs Aviation Program. OAMO recently approved an L-3 IS - L-3 Vertex proposal regarding the maintenance and inspections of the P-3 Orion aircraft fleet, which are used for aerial surveillance and interdiction. Aircraft availability and maintenance efficiency will be improved through a redesigned, consolidated phased maintenance inspection program previously performed by a combination of L-3 Vertex mechanics in the field and subcontracted depot services. In the new approach, L-3 IS' Waco facility will perform all phases of the inspections, while L-3 Vertex mechanics in the field will concentrate on regular maintenance to meet the agency's increasing mission requirements. Typically, two aircraft will be in some phase of the inspection process at Waco on a consistent basis. "We are delighted to work collectively within L-3 to provide the Department of Homeland Security's aviation branch with a well-maintained P-3 fleet," said Bob Drewes, president of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems. "As the demands placed upon homeland defense increase, our combined efforts will no doubt exceed expectations and provide an increase in operational availability." L-3 Communications Integrated Systems is an SEI CMM Level 5 developer and integrator of complex electronic systems for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3/IS also operates from major sites in Madison, Miss.; Waco, Texas; Lexington, Ky.; Tulsa, Okla. and Avalon, Australia. L-3 Vertex Aerospace, based in Madison, Mississippi, is a subsidiary of L-3 IS and provides aviation and aerospace technical services to government customers worldwide. 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 and is a merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products. 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.