NEW YORK, 9 May 2005. L-3 Communications announced today that its L-3 Government Services, Inc. (L-3 GSI) subsidiary and Link Simulation and Training (Link) division have received a $7.4 million contract option from the Naval Air Systems Command to develop a third F/A-18C Distributed Mission Training (DMT) suite.
Award of this option brings total F/A-18C DMT contract value to approximately $70 million.
The new F/A-18C DMT contract option, awarded to L-3 GSI, will result in Link building two F/A-18C Tactical Operational Flight Trainers (TOFTs). The two F/A-18C TOFTs will be integrated with DMT baseline software, including high level architecture to support simulator interoperability.
The first F/A-18C DMT suite is currently training Hornet aircrews at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Va. Link is also readying the second F/A-18C DMT suite for delivery to NAS Lemoore, Calif.
"The F/A-18C Distributed Mission Training program is one of the major ongoing success stories in U.S. Navy flight simulation," said John McNellis, president of Link Simulation and Training. "The systems being delivered under the initial F/A-18C Distributed Mission Training contract and follow-on program options represent highly advanced flight simulation technologies that have been designed to realistically support Hornet aircrew tactics training in a collaborative multi-aircraft training environment."
All F/A-18C DMT installations will be compliant with the service's Naval Aviation Simulation Master Plan, which requires all of the U.S. Navy's simulation assets to be capable of supporting training in a fully integrated, virtual battlespace.
In addition, all of the F/A-18C DMT TOFTs at each installation are integrated with Link's SimuSphere visual display, which provides pilots with a 360-degree out-the-window field-of-view of sky, terrain and targets. Link's SimuView personal computer image generation system powers both out-the-window and cockpit sensor imagery.
L-3 GSI, based in Chantilly, Va., is a recognized industry leader providing a wide range of technology-based services, support and products to federal, state and local governments and to the private sector. Founded in 1979, L-3 GSI's primary business areas include training and simulation, information technology services, systems engineering, integrated security solutions, business and program management and intelligence community services.
Link Simulation and Training is a systems integration organization that delivers and supports training systems and equipment to enhance operational proficiency. Link's services include conducting front end analysis, program design, simulator design and production and field support. Link has its headquarters operation in Arlington, Texas, and other key bases of operation in Binghamton, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; Broken Arrow, Okla. and Phoenix.
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. For more information, see www.L-3Com.com.
