LONDON, UK, December 18, 2002. Storm Control Systems Ltd (L-3 Storm), a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications, has been awarded a contract from Astrium of Europe to supply its InControl-NextGeneration satellite command and control software in support of Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) activities within the company's Mission Control Centre (MCC). This latest contract from Storm's long-standing European partner is scheduled for delivery in May 2003.

L-3 Storm, with its major subcontractor, Inmarsat, will provide the software for the Mission Control Centre in Toulouse, France. The centre will be configured to support LEOP activities for Eurostar E3000 spacecraft operated by a variety of Astrium customers. The software is being developed using L-3 Storm's latest integrated suite of products, InControl-NextGeneration,
as well as complementary software products designed by Inmarsat and Astrium. The net result is a robust system that leverages many years of operational satellite support.

The first program to deploy L-3 Storm's satellite control software system will be Amazonas, owned by Spanish operator Hispasat. "The LEOP MCC award complements an existing order for a separate suite of L-3 Storm software to be used by Astrium to provide on-orbit monitoring support for Hispasat's Amazonas telecommunications satellite," said Chris Bourassa, president of L-3 Storm. "In conjunction with Inmarsat, we are pleased to continue partnering with Astrium to deliver satellite control software solutions for emerging worldwide satellite initiatives."

Astrium is a joint venture owned 75% by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and 25% by BAE Systems. In 2001, Astrium had a turnover of 1.9 billion Euros, with 8,400 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. Astrium is currently refocusing on its satellite business activities, covering civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation, science and navigation programmes and avionics and equipment.

To learn more about Astrium, visit www.astrium-space.com .

T learn more about L-3 Storm, visit www.storm.com .

Military & Aerospace Electronics