New York, NY, March 22, 1999 — L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced that its next-generation satellite command and control software was part of the successful launch of the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The Storm Control Systems unit of L-3’s Telemetry & Instrumentation division was an integral part of the team that developed the COTS-Based Real-Time Architecture (COBRA) system used to command and control the ARGOS spacecraft. The COBRA system took command and functionally verified all systems green after ARGOS reached initial orbit.

The COBRA system is based almost entirely on commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and software, including L-3 Storm Control Systems’ Intelligent Mission Toolkit (IMT), L-3 Telemetry & Instrumentation's System 550 telemetry hardware and software, Gensym Corporation's G2 real-time expert system software, SYBASE database products, and several other COTS software products. These products have been integrated to provide the ideal solution for modular and expandable satellite control systems.

The Air Force, L-3 Storm Control Systems, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems, and Lockheed Martin Technical Operations first developed the COBRA satellite command and control software system for the Center for Research Support (CERES). CERES is located within the Joint National Test Facility (JNTF) at Schriever AFB, Colorado.

L-3 Storm Control Systems offers end-to-end solutions for command and control, payload processing, satellite integration, network management, and remote equipment control. L-3 Storm has flown 17 government, civilian, and commercial space programs worldwide and is contracted to fly 41 spacecraft by the end of 1999. Customers include satellite manufacturers throughout the world including the U.S. Air Force, Hughes Space and Communications, EarthWatch, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Loral Space and Communications, Orbital Sciences, and Telespazio.

L-3 Communications Telemetry & Instrumentation is headquartered in San Diego, California, with numerous sales and service offices worldwide. The company designs and manufactures advanced real-time commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and software products for flight test, satellite command and control, avionics test and integration, and data capture. All solutions are offered with complete systems engineering and integration services and are backed by a global customer support organization.

L-3 Communications is a leading merchant supplier of secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean systems, microwave components, and telemetry, instrumentation, space, and wireless products. Its customers include the Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. government intelligence agencies, aerospace and defense prime contractors, and commercial telecommunications and cellular customers.

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