L-3 AVIATION COMMUNICATIONS AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS
FLYING ADS-B PROTOTYPE ON CITATION V AS PART OF Opeval-2

Contact: Shane LaPlante
Manager, Business Development
602-436-4025

LOUISVILLE, KY, October 30, 2000 - L-3 Aviation Communications and Surveillance Systems (ACSS) announced today that a prototype Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system is flying aboard a Citation V as part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Safe Flight 21 OpEval-2 flight demonstration. The system is comprised of the ADS-B-enhanced Change 7 version TCAS 2000 and Level IV Mode S Data Link Transponder (XS-950) and an 8" x 10" Cockpit Display of Traffic Information/Traffic Collision Avoidance System (CDTI/TCAS) display. The system provides approach spacing, airport surface situation awareness, final approach and runway occupancy awareness, along with departure spacing capabilities.

The XS-950 uses Air Traffic Control (ATC) frequencies to transmit ADS-B extended position, velocity, and Flight ID squitters. This certified Traffic Information Service (TIS) diversity transponder uses the aircraft's Global Positioning System (GPS) input to provide position and velocity data.

The TCAS 2000 uses ATC frequencies to receive the ADS-B extended squitters. The TCAS 2000 performs surveillance for all airborne transponder-equipped aircraft, including Mode A, Mode C and Mode S. Ground tracking is provided for all ADS-B capable Mode S transponders, as well. The ADS-B traffic information is sent with the TCAS traffic information and related collision avoidance advisories on a single bus to the prototype CDTI/TCAS display. The prototype ADS-B TCAS 2000 is able to track ADS-B capable Mode S transponder-equipped aircraft beyond the 100 nmi. range, other Mode S transponder-equipped aircraft to a range of 80 nmi, and Mode A and Mode C transponder-equipped aircraft to a range of 20 nmi. The TCAS 2000 utilizes the error detection/correction algorithms developed by MITRE to de-garble received RF messages as necessary.

The L-3 Communications' system is unique in integrating the TCAS and ADS-B traffic symbology in one display. The Advanced Approach Spacing tools developed by NASA and MITRE CAASD have been implemented and related approach spacing information is displayed.

OpEval-2 is a cooperative effort of the FAA, the airline industry and the Cargo Airline Association that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of ADS-B procedures in an effort to expedite FAA certification of the technology into the National Airspace System.

Aviation Communications and Surveillance Systems, a division of L-3 Communications based in Phoenix, AZ, is a leader in avionics surveillance and safety systems.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading merchant supplier of secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean products, training products, microwave components and telemetry, instrumentation, space and wireless products. Its customers include the Department of Defense, selected US government intelligence agencies, aerospace prime contractors and commercial telecommunications and wireless customers.

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