October 28, 2005
The Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), a joint venture of
L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) subsidiary, Integrated Systems and
Alenia North America (a Finmeccanica Company), announced today the
selection of Bridgeport, West Virginia as the training site for the
C-27J Spartan aircraft if chosen for the U. S. Army's Future Cargo
Aircraft (FCA) program.
The GMAS FCA C-27J aircraft training center will be located at
the Army National Guard, Fixed Wing ARNG Aviation Training Site
(FWAATS) in Bridgeport, WV. FWAATS is the current site for training
Army National Guard crews operating the C-12, C-26 and the C-23
Sherpa.
"Locating our training facilities at FWAATS makes perfect sense
and demonstrates our intention to team with the Army National Guard
and their talented pool of instructors and administrators," said
Giuseppe Giordo, President and CEO of Alenia North America,
Inc.
"We believe locating FCA crew training at FWAATS in Bridgeport,
West Virginia provides the best value and best transition of the
C-27J into the Army National Guard inventory," said Bob Drewes,
President and COO of L-3 Integrated Systems. "Our solution also
capitalizes on the unique talents and capabilities of the West
Virginia workforce and, not only ensures existing jobs and
opportunities, but most assuredly will grow the number of jobs in
the community for many years to come."
"To have West Virginia selected for this type of training center
is truly exciting," said West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III.
"If GMAS is chosen for the Future Cargo Aircraft program, it will
bring to Harrison County the type of good-paying jobs with health
care benefits that we are looking for more of in this state. This
shows that the changes that have taken place during this past year
in West Virginia are beginning to pay dividends and I couldn't be
more pleased."
The FCA program is a key component of the Army's transformation
of its fixed wing fleet which calls for the procurement of a new
fleet of transport, fixed wing aircraft. To support the future
force, the FCA must be a multifunctional aircraft, able to perform
logistical re-supply, medevac, troop movement, airdrop operations,
humanitarian assistance, and missions in support of U.S. Homeland
Security. The FCA is expected to replace the Army's C-23 Sherpas,
C-12 and C-26 aircraft. The C-27J is equipped to address the
mission requirements for each of these platforms and outperforms
the competition.
Under the joint venture agreement, L-3 Integrated Systems and
Alenia North America jointly manage GMAS. L-3 Integrated Systems is
a leader in aircraft modernization, systems integration, contractor
logistics support, training, and simulation. Alenia is a leader in
the design and manufacturing of commercial and military aircraft.
The GMAS team embodies an uncompromising commitment to deliver a
proven, interoperable, and survivable airlifter to military
customers. For additional information on GMAS, please visit
www.C-27J.com
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 mission systems for military and commercial
applications. The company has modified more than 15,000 different
aircraft of more than 125 types. Headquartered in Greenville,
Texas, L3/IS operates from multiple sites in Texas, Mississippi,
Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama and Australia.
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.
Alenia Aeronautica, headquartered in Rome, Italy is a company of
the Finmeccanica Group. Alenia Aeronautica has revenues in excess
of 1.2 billion Euros and a total work force of more 8,600
employees. Its' main activities comprise design and production of
commercial and military aircraft, design and production of
aerostructures for military and civil aircraft and through
Aeronavali, a wholly owned subsidiary, overall maintenance and
modification of military and civil aircraft. Alenia Aeronautica is
a partner of and cooperates with the major global aerospace groups,
including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, EADS, Dassault, BAE
Systems and Vought.
Alenia North America Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
and also has offices in Seattle, Washington; Long Beach,
California; Fort Worth, Texas; and Ottawa, Canada. Alenia North
America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica. Alenia
North America has more than 300 employees in the United States and
has been entrusted by its parent company to consolidate and further
expand the industrial and commercial presence of the Alenia Group
in North America. It is the company utilized for major aeronautical
programs and collaborative Joint Ventures with major U.S.
companies.
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. 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.
Contacts
Global Military Aircraft Systems
Ben Stone, 202-293-3433 Ext. 228
bstone@aleniainc.com
Edie.Cartwright, 903-457-4604
Edie.Cartwright@L-3Com.com
Dentsu Communications Inc.
Enrique Briz, 212-660-6759
ebriz@dcinyc.com
