L-3 climbs into Navy flight training deal

L-3 Communications Inc. will deliver a flight simulation and training package to the Navy through a $32 million contract.

L-3's Link and Simulation Training division will supply four F/A-18E/F Super Hornet tactical operational flight trainers, instructor operator stations, briefing and debriefing systems, training and onsite tactical services.

L-3 built the trainers to comply with a Navy master plan for aviation simulations. The trainers are the first of the Super Hornet configuration to feature brief and debrief capability and an enhanced, high-fidelity sensor video recording system that records, plays back and distributes data and communications for review following a training exercise.

The trainers also offer a simulated, joint helmet system that gives the pilot and weapons system officer a targeting system that they can use to control sensors and weapons through visual cueing.

The Naval Air Warfare Center in Orlando, Fla., and the Boeing Co. of Chicago selected the L-3 unit to handle the work. The contract value could reach $45 million if the Navy decides to order additional tactical trainers, L-3 said.

L-3 will deliver two trainers to the Naval Air Station at Lemoore, Calif., and another two trainers to the Naval Air Station at Oceana, Va.

L-3 Link is part of L-3 Communications of New York. The parent company has more than 59,500 employees and had annual sales of $9.4 billion in fiscal 2005. The company ranks No. 7 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors.