NEW YORK, N.Y., 16 March 2005. L-3 Communications announced today that its Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) subsidiary has been awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a basic funding ceiling of $411 million to provide the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) with airborne mission support for ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) test requirements, over a five year period of performance. The value of the initial delivery order is approximately $16 million.
The primary mission of the AirBorne Sensor (ABS) Mission Operations program is to provide airborne electro-optic and infrared sensor capabilities to support MDA and other test activities.
The ABS program directs the design, development, integration, test, operation, maintenance, improvements, modernization, mission support and data reduction and analysis activities for three types of aircraft: two High Altitude Observatory (HALO-I/II) aircraft, modified Gulfstream IIB aircraft, and the Widebody Airborne Sensor Program (WASP)-modified McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 aircraft. The program scope also includes any future aircraft and mission equipment required to support MDA test and assessment activities.
Each of the three MDA aircraft can be configured with a variety of sensors to support BMDS test data collection efforts. The ABS program also provides quick-turn mission data analysis and reporting to ensure that critical MDA test data gets to key organizations in a timely manner.
Within L-3 IS, L-3's Aeromet subsidiary, based in Tulsa, Okla., will manage the program. L-3 Aeromet currently operates the two Gulfstream IIB aircraft under a predecessor contract called Airborne Test and Measurement Support (ATMS) and has supported more than 180 missions.
"We are delighted to continue providing the MDA with the airborne electro-optical and infrared expertise for which the L-3 Aeromet organization is renown," said Bob Drewes, president of L-3 IS. "This BMDS work is vital to national defense and we will strive to provide the MDA with the best possible services."
L-3 Communications Integrated Systems is an SEI CMM Level 5 software developer and integrator of complex electronic systems for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 IS operates from major sites in Austin and Waco, Texas; Madison, Miss.; Lexington, Ky.; Tulsa, Okla.; Newport News, Va.; and Avalon, Australia.
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. For more information, see www.L-3Com.com.
