L-3 Communications Announces New Technology Developments for Aviation Security; Breakthrough...

FARNBOROUGH, England -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Security & Detection Systems division has developed a number of research and product development initiatives that hold the promise of significantly increasing the overall security of airports around the world.

One of the technologies under evaluation and being considered for commercialization is a passive millimeter wave system intended for the screening of suspect passengers for concealed weapons. In addition, the company is beginning to deploy its Multi-View Tomography (MVT) X-ray technology for screening checked baggage. L-3's MVT is the next generation of Automated Technology (AT), the current standard for explosives detection at airports throughout Europe and Asia Pacific. L-3 is also working with U.S. aviation authorities to consider pairing the L-3 MVT with the eXaminer, the company's explosives detection system (EDS) that is certified by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. There are now over 500 eXaminers installed at major U.S. airports and at a growing number of international sites, including Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

The commercial development of passive Millimeter Wave (MMW) technology is leading to a new generation of security products. Millimeter Waves can pass through clothing and packaging to allow for the automatic detection of concealed objects. Not limited to metal, MMW-based systems can detect the possession of ceramic weapons, plastic explosives, drugs, and other contraband. L-3 Security & Detection Systems has embarked on an aggressive program to develop and commercialize an advanced MMW imaging portal for use indoors for airport security screening. It is based on proven missile seeker automatic target recognition technology used by the U.S. military over the last 20 years. The L-3 MMW passenger screening portal is expected to enter into trial testing at a major international airport near the end of 2004.

For larger airports, L-3's MVT offers automated explosives detection with the advantage of high throughput rates - up to 1,800 bags per hour - at a lower cost with a large tunnel opening that will accept oversized bags. The MVT is in use at key international airports, including London Heathrow and Singapore Changi International Airport, and has met the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) requirements for explosives detection.

L-3 is currently working toward the testing of an in-line configuration with the TSA where an MVT and eXaminer are paired, allowing airports to achieve greater baggage throughput with TSA certified detection and alarm resolution, at a lower cost than an all-eXaminer configuration. In this "system of systems", all bags would first be screened by the MVT and all alarmed bags from the MVT would then be screened by an eXaminer. This combined "system of systems" is expected to meet all TSA certification criteria for explosives detection and false alarm rate.

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.

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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.