L-3 aids South Korean Navy

L-3 Communications Inc. finalized an approximately $300 million subcontract with aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. to modernize systems for eight South Korean Navy maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the company said today.

The contract represents the second phase of South Korea's maritime patrol expansion project. It will include modifications to extend aircraft service life and equip the Navy P-3 Orion aircraft with modern sensors and electronics. The program also will provide ground support systems for both new and existing P-3 patrol aircraft, enabling the South Korean Navy to increase its patrol strength. KAI is the prime contractor for the work.

Since the 1960s, L-3's integrated systems subsidiary, which won the subcontract, has modified more than 300 P-3 aircraft and provides advanced mission systems, major structural modification, and refurbishment and revitalization services for other customers, including the Navy, Homeland Security Department's Customs and Border Protection bureau, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. L-3 recently modernized the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of AP-3Cs under the Sea Sentinel program.

Headquartered in New York, L-3 offers a range of technology-based services, support and products to federal, state and local governments and to the commercial sector. The company employs about 44,200 workers and had 2004 revenue of nearly $6.9 billion, according to Hoover's Online. L-3 is No. 14 on Washington Technology's 2004 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors. The 2005 Top 100 list will be published May 9.