L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Awarded $26 Million Contract to Support NASA’s Airborne Observatory

L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its L-3 Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) subsidiary has been awarded a follow-on contract with a potential value of up to $26 million to provide developmental and engineering work on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) from NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center.

The $19.7 million base period contract for 23 months includes three one-year option periods, with total value of up to $26 million.
“We’re pleased to extend our relationship with NASA to support this aeronautical wonder,” said Ed Gloviak, Vice President of Special Programs and Services for L-3 IS. “Our flight science and aircraft modification experts are proud of their work integrating this observatory and are looking forward to it progressing through the test program at Dryden.”

The support contract follows the integration of the 20-ton, 2.5-meter infrared telescope in the rear fuselage of a 747SP aircraft at L-3’s Waco, Texas facility. L-3 IS will provide ground testing, related engineering approvals and support several checkout flights planned in the first half of 2007 from Waco.

Once checkout is complete, SOFIA will be delivered to NASA Dryden where it will undergo the final installation and integration of several operating and science-related systems. L-3 will support completion of two main components of the airborne observatory platform – the Airborne System and the Cavity Door Drive System. The company will provide support for the final development and testing of the Airborne System, including the modification, fabrication, installation, integration and verification of various systems that will meet SOFIA mission requirements, as well as engineering support and technical representation to NASA as necessary to support the transition from development to operations.

Scientific instruments mounted in SOFIA will be capable of celestial observations ranging from visible light through the sub-millimeter far-infrared spectrum. SOFIA is being developed jointly by NASA and the Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center).
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 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.

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