L-3 Communications Receives Explosives Detection Certification from Civil Aviation Administration of China

L-3 Security & Detection Systems

L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc. announced today that it has formally received explosives detection certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for several of its explosives screening systems.

L-3 is among a select few manufacturers of aviation screening products to have received the prestigious CAAC certification, making L-3 eligible to win significant future aviation security contracts in China.

The eXaminer 3DX®, Multi-View Tomography High Resolution (MVT-HR®), VIS 108®, and PX-M® systems have been formally qualified for use in the civil aviation industry of China. Select L-3 explosives screening systems have also been certified by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and accepted for use by the U.K. Department for Transportation (DfT).

"With certification in China, L-3 has now established itself as the explosives screening manufacturer of choice for the world's most important aviation markets," said Thomas Ripp, president of L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems. "Obtaining certification from the CAAC further cements our unique position as the only company that can provide a full range of screening products for the aviation industry."

The eXaminer explosives detection system (EDS) has previously been certified by the TSA for aviation bag screening, and there are currently more than 600 eXaminer systems deployed worldwide. L-3 has recently introduced a number of industry-leading advancements to the eXaminer that set it apart from competing systems, including:

  • Unprecedented baggage throughput of 600 bags or more per hour when operating within a fully integrated baggage-handling system environment.
  • Industry-leading ability to accommodate long, oversized baggage up to 100 inches (2.54 meters) in length, such as skis or golf club bags.
  • Advanced 3D imaging capability allowing operators to resolve alarmed bags more quickly, resulting in improved operational efficiencies.
  • Networking capability that allows images from multiple machines to be evaluated by multiple operators over a secure system.
  • Additional operational features that improve the overall reliability of inline systems.

L-3's MVT and MVT-HR systems meet the demanding needs of the airline industry, which requires high throughput rates while meeting international standards for the automated detection of explosives. The systems can be fully integrated into a baggage handling system (BHS) and support multiple detection algorithms that can be switched on-the-fly to meet varying criteria for explosives detection.

Additionally, the systems are deployed in the world's most security conscious airports, including London's Heathrow, Amsterdam's Schiphol, and Australian airports serviced by the Qantas Group.

The VIS 108 is a high-speed, automated in-line EDS specifically designed to meet the needs of multilevel hold-baggage screening. It provides automatic explosive detection at a rate of 1,800 bags per hour, proven easy integration, high reliability, and a large tunnel opening to screen large and out-of-gauge baggage. The VIS system is accepted for use by the U.K. DfT, and meets international and U.S. regulatory standards and criteria for the automated detection of explosives in aviation checked-baggage screening applications.

The PX-M checkpoint screening system is currently in use at multiple international airports, courthouses, government facilities, and schools. It features L-3's unrivaled X-ray image quality and integrates advanced technology that allows for more intense scrutiny of suspect objects, as well as features that minimize operator fatigue. The PX-M shares a common architecture and system platform with the LS110-II TRX®, one of three checkpoint solutions approved by the TSA for U.S. airports.

Woburn, MA, November 10, 2005


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" 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.

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