Contact: Michelle Stevenson
Marketing Manager      
L-3 Avionics Systems
michelle.stevenson@L-3com.com
616-285-4239

L-3’s IRIS™ Infrared Imaging System STC’d on Bell 206 and 407

Heli-Expo, ANAHEIM, Calif., February 22, 2009 – L-3 Avionics Systems announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Precise Flight Inc. a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the IRIS™ Infrared Imaging System on the Bell 206 and 407 helicopters.

“IRIS offers benefits that are a perfect match for the low-level, off-airport operations of rotory-wing aircraft,” said Larry Riddle, vice president of business development for L-3 Avionics. “I’m confident that the combination of IRIS and HID lighting will provide a significant safety advantage for Bell 206 and 407 operators.”

L 3 Avionics’ IRIS camera will be housed inside a fairing on the nose of the aircraft with Precise Flight’s high intensity discharge (HID) lighting kit for both helicopter models. The kit was certified in partnership with Leading Edge Aviation. The equipment is scheduled to become available in April 2009 and will be on display at Heli-Expo, booth 2526.

The IRIS Infrared Imaging System is a low-cost, enhanced vision system for fixed and rotory-wing aircraft that provides a clear view of obstacles ahead of the aircraft even at night or in hazy conditions. This provides an added layer of safety, especially when taxiing or landing. IRIS uses unique sensor technology to provide a high resolution infrared image with a high level of fidelity, and, unlike other infrared sensors, the L-3 sensor allows the system to provide a stable, continuous image regardless of abrupt maneuvers or turns into direct sunlight.

Precise Flight, which is the largest supplier of HID lighting for rotory-wing aircraft, designed the HID/IRIS kit to fit into the same space as the existing landing and hover lights while providing brighter and more efficient operation than incandescent lighting. HID bulbs are designed to last for the life of the aircraft and can be integrated with Precise Flight’s patent-pending Pulselite® technology to improve aircraft visibility. 

L-3 Avionics Systems products have been helping pilots fly safely for more than 45 years. The company has transitioned from supplying niche avionics instruments to providing completely integrated cockpit solutions. The company’s SmartDeck® Integrated Flight Controls and Display System is a glass panel suite that features a revolutionary user interface designed to make flying safer, easier and more enjoyable. In addition to customizing SmartDeck for upcoming aircraft programs, L-3 Avionics continues to provide a wide array of avionics technologies, such as the GH-3000 electronic and J.E.T.® standby instruments, SkyWatch® collision avoidance system and Stormscope® lightning detection system.

For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.L-3Avionics.com

Precise Flight, Inc. has a 27-year track record in the design and development of integrated systems for leading aircraft and rotorcraft manufacturers and in providing unsurpassable aftermarket safety and performance solutions to the aviation community. As market leaders in aviation safety, Precise Flight’s products include the SpeedBrake™, the Pulselite® System, PreciseLite high intensity discharge and LED lighting systems and Precise Oxygen Equipment. Precise Flight, Inc. is headquartered in Bend, Oregon, USA.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 64,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2008 sales of $14.9 billion.

To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s Web site at www.L-3Com.com.

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," "will," "could" 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.