L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced that its Vertex Aerospace (L-3 Vertex) subsidiary has been awarded a nine-month, $27.1 million contract to provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for the U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft fleet. With the exercise of four, one-year options, the total value of the contract is$142.3 million.

A modified version of the Boeing 707, the E-6B Mercury serves as an Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) and is the U.S. Navy's largest and heaviest aircraft. It is the airborne portion of the U.S. Navy's Take Charge and Move out (TACAMO) strategic communications system, and links the Commander in Chief and the Secretary of Defense to U.S. nuclear forces worldwide. The E-6B can communicate with a submarine that is submerged in the Pacific Ocean while the aircraft is in flight over the Atlantic Ocean.

L-3 Vertex will provide all parts and material services to support 16 E-6B aircraft and will perform all maintenance and training for associated support equipment. Services will be provided to the Commander, Strategic Communications Wing ONE (CSCW-1), and three TACAMO squadrons at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Okla. Support for operations will be given at Travis AFB, Calif.; Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md.; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Systems Integration Lab (SIL) at Patuxent River, Md. and the Enhanced Phase Maintenance (EPM) program at Tinker AFB. The contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md.

"The E-6B program is vital to U.S. national security and L-3Vertex is honored to support this mission," said Dan Grafton, president of L-3 Vertex. "The addition of the E-6B to our U.S. Navy support portfolio is a tremendous accomplishment and demonstrates high confidence in the services we provide."

"This win expands on the L-3 Integrated Systems long-standing relationship with the U.S. Navy and the E-6B community," said BobDrewes, president of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems. "We initially integrated the E-6B fleet and we are pleased to provide ongoing support for this important national asset."

L-3 Vertex provides aviation and other aerospace technical services, primarily to government customers. The company has nearly 12,000 employees working from 300 locations worldwide. L-3 Vertex is a subsidiary of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems.

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. The company is a leading merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components. L-3 also supports a variety of Homeland Security initiatives with products and services. Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. Government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors.

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