HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), a joint venture of Finmeccanica's Alenia North America, Inc. and L-3 Integrated Systems (L-3/IS), a subsidiary of L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) is opening its Program Office within the next few weeks in Huntsville, Alabama, the home of U. S. Army Aviation.

The GMAS office will be in close proximity to Redstone Arsenal and will serve as the company's focal point for all Army Aviation programs. In pursuit of its "customer first" philosophy, the office location will fulfill the goal of customer responsiveness, immediate access and, ultimately, better performance serving the Army Aviation needs. GMAS intends to occupy its space as soon as lease agreements and building modifications are completed.

No stranger to Alabama, joint venture partner L-3 currently has more than 3,500 employees in the state working in several divisions of the company, including over 250 in Huntsville. The location of the GMAS office in Huntsville further indicates L-3's commitment to the state of Alabama and introduces its partner, Alenia, a well-known Italian aircraft manufacturer, to the area as well.

"L-3 has a significant presence in Alabama today and GMAS is the latest example of our commitment to this community and to providing the best solutions necessary to meet the warfighter's needs," said Alison Hartley, Vice President Business Development, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems.

"We are delighted to be part of the Huntsville community supporting the defense industry and, ultimately, our men and women in the armed forces," said Jaime Thurmond, Vice President, Military Programs, Alenia North America, Inc.

Under the joint venture agreement, L-3 Integrated Systems and Alenia North America, Inc. jointly manage GMAS. L-3 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. For additional information on GMAS please visit www.C-27J.com

GMAS is offering the C-27J Spartan aircraft to the Army for its Future Cargo Aircraft program and will also pursue other opportunities requiring the use of a medium-range military airlift vehicle. The Future Cargo Aircraft program is a key component in the Army's transformation of its fixed wing fleet and will fill the capability gap in joint aerial delivery systems. The FCA selection is currently planned for FY06, with contract award in early 2007.

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.

L-3/IS is recognized internationally as a systems 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, TX, L-3/IS operates from multiple sites in Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama and Australia.

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.