Airborne Observatory Integrated by L-3 Communications Completes First Flight from Waco, Texas Modification Center

- International Project Features 20-ton, German Telescope on NASA 747 Aircraft -

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2007--L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) completed its first test flight following extensive aircraft modification and telescope integration at L-3 Integrated Systems in Waco, Texas.

SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP, which was extensively modified to carry a 45,000-pound (20 metric ton), 98.4-inch (2.5-meter) diameter infrared telescope assembly provided by the German Aerospace Center, DLR. SOFIA maintains altitudes up to 45,000 feet (13.7 km), which is high above more than 99 percent of the Earth's water vapor - to capture infrared images and spectra that are not possible to capture using the largest ground-based telescopes.

L-3 performed the most dramatic physical modifications ever made to a 747 aircraft. This effort was conducted by L-3 without the involvement of the aircraft's original equipment manufacturer.

"SOFIA reflects the expertise that makes L-3 Integrated Systems the industry's most accomplished independent aircraft integrator," said Bob Drewes, Corporate Senior Vice President, and President and Chief Operating Officer of the L-3 Integrated Systems Group. "This observatory combines extensive aeronautical engineering and our major modification ability to produce a flying marvel."

The program was awarded by NASA in 1996 to a combined U.S. and German team. The first metal on the aircraft was cut by L-3 in 2000, as installation began on a reinforced, pressurized bulkhead that helped create a cavity in the rear of the aircraft where the telescope assembly was later installed. In addition to the aircraft structural modifications and the telescope assembly installation, major aircraft activities performed by L-3 included:

    --  Installation of an approximately 16-foot tall cavity door
        designed to open in flight to permit telescope observations;

    --  Installation of a complex liquid-nitrogen cooling system used
        to pre-cool the telescope cavity to match thermal conditions
        when the cavity door is opened at altitude;

    --  Performance of heavy depot-level maintenance and service
        bulletin incorporation on the 747SP, which flew in commercial
        service from 1977 to 1995.

"We are thrilled that SOFIA has taken to the air and congratulate L-3 on their accomplishment. We look forward to the day when SOFIA will become a world-class astronomical research facility," said Dr. Frederick A. Tarantino, President of Universities Space Research Association (USRA), SOFIA's science and mission operations contractor.

For more information on SOFIA, visit www.sofia.usra.edu.

L-3 Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) develops and integrates defense and commercial technology for U.S. and allied customers worldwide. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 IS has more than five decades of experience in the development of complex intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; command and control; and secure communications. It is recognized internationally as a systems integration organization specializing in the modernization and maintenance of aircraft of all sizes. It is a leader in advanced technologies for signal processing, electronic countermeasures, sensor development and aircraft self-protection. Systems provided or maintained by L-3 IS help protect military and civilian personnel, bases, assets and national borders throughout the world.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 63,000 people worldwide and is a prime system contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2006 sales of $12.5 billion.

To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit the company's web site at www.L-3Com.com.

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. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to events or conditions or that include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "could" and similar expressions 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.

    CONTACT: L-3 Communications
             Cynthia Swain, 212-697-1111
             Vice President, Corporate Communications
             or
             L-3 Integrated Systems
             Lance Martin, 254-867-7001
             or
             FD
             Investors: Eric Boyriven, Alexandra Tramont
             Media: Evan Goetz
             212-850-5600

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