NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 23, 2009-- L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LLL) today reported diluted earnings per share (diluted EPS) of $1.90 for the quarter ended June 26, 2009 (2009 second quarter) compared to $2.21⁽¹⁾ for the quarter ended June 27, 2008 (2008 second quarter). The 2008 second quarter included a $0.57 net gain for certain items, which are discussed below. Excluding these items from the 2008 second quarter results, diluted EPS of $1.90 for the 2009 second quarter increased 16% compared to $1.64 for the 2008 second quarter. Net sales increased 6% to $3.9 billion compared to $3.7 billion for the 2008 second quarter.

“L-3 had solid performance during the second quarter of 2009 led by our ISR businesses,” said Michael T. Strianese, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We delivered increased sales, and excluding the impact of a net gain for certain items in 2008, improved our operating income and diluted EPS despite challenging economic conditions. Our second quarter performance is an affirmation of L-3’s skilled and talented workforce, our strong and diverse portfolio of businesses, our quick reaction capabilities and our ability to deliver innovative solutions to our customers. We also continued to deploy the company’s strong cash flow to increase shareholder value.”

Mr. Strianese continued, “We expect to continue to have opportunities to grow our businesses in the second half of 2009, maintain our strong program performance, deliver value for our customers and execute our plan for the year.”

Second Quarter Results of Operations: For the 2009 second quarter, consolidated net sales increased 6% compared to the 2008 second quarter driven primarily by growth in the Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C³ISR), Aircraft Modernization and Maintenance (AM&M) and Specialized Products reportable segments. These sales increases were partially offset by a decrease in the Government Services reportable segment driven primarily by lower linguist services (discussed below under the Government Services segment). The increase in consolidated net sales from acquired businesses net of divestitures⁽²⁾ was $41 million, or 1%.

The 2009 second quarter operating income decreased by 17% compared to the 2008 second quarter. Higher pension expense in the 2009 second quarter compared to the 2008 second quarter reduced operating income by $16 million ($10 million after income taxes, or $0.09 per diluted share). The pension expense increase is primarily due to the actuarial loss that we experienced in 2008 as a result of the decline in the fair value of our pension plan assets, which is being amortized as a component of pension expense beginning in 2009. The 2008 second quarter results were impacted by three items that, in the aggregate, increased operating income by $110 million ($71 million after income taxes, or $0.57 per diluted share) and reduced interest expense by $7 million. These three items are collectively referred to as the Q2 2008 Items and are comprised of:

• A gain of $133 million ($81 million after income taxes, or $0.65 per diluted share) for the reversal of a $126 million liability as a result of a June 27, 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals which vacated an adverse 2006 jury verdict and $7 million of related accrued interest (the “Litigation Gain”),
• A gain of $12 million ($7 million after income taxes, or $0.06 per diluted share) from the sale of a product line (the “Product Line Divestiture Gain”), and
• A non-cash impairment charge of $28 million ($17 million after income taxes, or $0.14 per diluted share) relating to a write-down of capitalized software development costs for a general aviation product (the “Impairment Charge”).

Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) decreased by 290 basis points to 10.6% compared to 13.5% for the 2008 second quarter. Excluding the Q2 2008 Items, the 2008 second quarter operating margin was 10.5%. Higher margins primarily in the C³ISR businesses increased operating margin for the 2009 second quarter by 50 basis points compared to the 2008 second quarter. Higher pension expense reduced 2009 second quarter operating margin by 40 basis points compared to the 2008 second quarter. See segment results below for additional discussion of segment operating income and margin results.

Net interest expense and other income increased compared to the same period last year primarily because of the reversal of $7 million of accrued interest during the 2008 second quarter in connection with the Litigation Gain. This increase was partially offset by lower interest expense on our term loans, which are based on variable interest rates.

The effective tax rate for the 2009 second quarter decreased by 120 basis points compared to the same quarter last year. Excluding the Q2 2008 Items, the effective income tax rate for the 2009 second quarter decreased by 40 basis points. The decrease is primarily due to the U.S. Federal research and experimentation tax credit that was re-enacted during the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008.

In the 2009 second quarter as compared to the 2008 second quarter, net income attributable to L-3 decreased by $50 million, and diluted EPS decreased by 14%. Excluding the Q2 2008 Items, net income attributable to L-3 increased by $21 million and diluted EPS increased by 16% for the 2009 second quarter as compared to the 2008 second quarter. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding declined by 5% due primarily to share repurchases of L-3 common stock made during the past year.

First Half Results of Operations: For the first half ended June 26, 2009 (2009 first half), consolidated net sales increased 5% compared to the first half ended June 27, 2008 (2008 first half) driven primarily by growth in the C³ISR, AM&M and Specialized Products reportable segments. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the Government Services reportable segment driven primarily by lower linguist services (discussed below under the Government Services segment). The increase in consolidated net sales from acquired businesses net of divestitures was $117 million, or 2%.

The 2009 first half operating income decreased by 9% compared to the 2008 first half. Operating income decreased by $110 million as a result of the Q2 2008 Items and by $35 million ($22 million after income taxes, or $0.18 per diluted share) because of higher pension expense in the 2009 first half. Operating margin decreased by 150 basis points to 10.5% compared to 12.0% for the 2008 first half. Excluding the Q2 2008 Items, the 2008 first half operating margin was 10.5%. Higher pension expense during the 2009 first half reduced operating margin by 50 basis points and were offset by higher margins primarily in the C³ISR businesses. See segment results below for additional discussion of segment operating income and margin results.

Net interest expense and other income decreased compared to the same period last year driven by lower interest expense on our term loans substantially offset by $7 million of accrued interest reversed during the 2008 second quarter in connection with the Litigation Gain and lower interest income on cash investments.

The effective tax rate for the 2009 first half decreased 90 basis points compared to the same period last year. Excluding the Q2 2008 Items, the effective tax rate for the 2009 first half decreased 40 basis points. The decrease is primarily due to the U.S. Federal research and experimentation tax credit that was re-enacted during the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008, partially offset by higher income taxes on foreign income.

In the 2009 first half as compared to the 2008 first half, net income attributable to L-3 decreased by $40 million and diluted EPS decreased by 4% to $3.56 from $3.72. Excluding the Q2 2008 Items, net income attributable to L-3 increased by $31 million and diluted EPS increased by 13% to $3.56 for the 2009 first half compared to $3.15 for the 2008 first half. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the 2009 first half compared to the 2008 first half declined by 5% primarily due to share repurchases of L-3 common stock made during the past year.

Orders: Funded orders for the 2009 second quarter decreased 20% to $3.3 billion compared to $4.2 billion from the 2008 second quarter and decreased 14% to $7.1 billion for the 2009 first half from $8.3 billion for the 2008 first half. Funded backlog decreased 3% to $11.2 billion compared to $11.6 billion at Dec. 31, 2008.

Cash flow: Net cash from operating activities was $528 million for the 2009 first half, compared to $628 million for the 2008 first half. The decrease in cash from operating activities is primarily due to an increase in working capital to support sales growth in the C³ISR segment. Capital expenditures, net of dispositions of property, plant and equipment was $80 million for the 2009 first half, compared to $71 million for the 2008 first half.

Second Quarter: C³ISR net sales for the 2009 second quarter increased by 24% compared to the 2008 second quarter primarily due to increased demand and new business from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for airborne ISR and networked communication systems for manned and unmanned platforms.

C³ISR operating income for the 2009 second quarter increased by 42% compared to the 2008 second quarter. Operating margin increased by 160 basis points. Higher sales volume, improved contract performance and a more favorable sales mix for airborne ISR and networked communication systems increased operating margin by 250 basis points. These increases were partially offset by higher pension expense of $7 million, which reduced operating margin by 90 basis points.

First Half: C³ISR net sales for the 2009 first half increased by 26% compared to the 2008 first half primarily due to increased demand and new business from the DoD for airborne ISR and networked communication systems for manned and unmanned platforms.

C³ISR operating income for the 2009 first half increased 34% compared to the 2008 first half. Operating margin increased by 80 basis points. Higher sales volume, improved contract performance and a more favorable sales mix for airborne ISR and networked communication systems increased operating margin by 160 basis points. Cost improvements on an international airborne ISR system contract due to a restructuring of contract deliverables with a customer increased operating margin by 20 basis points. These increases were partially offset by higher pension expense of $15 million, which reduced operating margin by 100 basis points.

Second Quarter: Government Services net sales for the 2009 second quarter decreased by 3% compared to the 2008 second quarter. Sales declines in linguist services of $72 million were partially offset by increases primarily for information technology (IT) support services for the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and intelligence support and training services for the U.S. Army and U.S. Government agencies. Linguist services declined due to L-3’s transition from a prime contractor to a subcontractor on the current U.S. Army linguist contract on June 9, 2008. The increase in net sales from acquired businesses was $32 million, or 3%.

Government Services operating income for the 2009 second quarter decreased by 17% compared to the 2008 second quarter. Operating margin for the 2008 second quarter decreased by 170 basis points. Lower margins on select contract renewals and higher profit margins on certain fixed-price contracts in the 2008 second quarter reduced operating margin by 160 basis points. Acquired businesses also reduced operating margin by 10 basis points.

First Half: Government Services net sales for the 2009 first half decreased by 6% compared to the 2008 first half. Sales declines in linguist services of $203 million were partially offset by increases for IT support services for USSOCOM, systems and software engineering and sustainment services to the U.S. Army and logistics support services to the U.S. Marine Corps driven by new and existing contracts. The increase in net sales from acquired businesses was $49 million, or 2%.

Government Services operating income for the 2009 first half decreased by 14% compared to the 2008 first half. Operating margin for the 2009 first half decreased by 90 basis points compared to the 2008 first half. Lower margins on select contract renewals and higher profit margins on certain fixed price contracts in the 2008 first half reduced operating margin by 80 basis points. Acquired businesses also reduced operating margin by 10 basis points.

Second Quarter: AM&M net sales for the 2009 second quarter increased by 6% compared to the 2008 second quarter. Sales increased for systems field support services for U.S. Army and U.S. Navy fixed and rotary wing training aircraft and U.S. Special Operations Forces logistics support due to new contracts and higher demand from existing contracts. These increases were partially offset by sales volume decline for contract field services (CFS) as fewer task orders were received because of more competitors on the current indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract that began on October 1, 2008.

AM&M operating income for the 2009 second quarter increased by 21% compared to the 2008 second quarter. Operating margin increased by 80 basis points. The 2008 second quarter included $13 million of litigation charges for estimated costs to settle certain claims, which increased operating margin for the 2009 second quarter as compared to the 2008 second quarter by 180 basis points. This increase was partially offset by 50 basis points due to lower CFS volume and 50 basis points primarily for cost increases on an international aircraft modernization contract.

First Half: AM&M net sales for the 2009 first half increased by 3% compared to the 2008 first half. Sales increased for systems field support services for U.S. Army and U.S. Navy training aircraft and U.S. Special Forces logistics support. These increases were partially offset by sales declines for CFS and lower international aircraft modernization sales due to contracts nearing completion.

AM&M operating income for the 2009 first half increased 8% compared to the 2008 first half. Operating margin increased by 40 basis points. The 2008 first half included $13 million of litigation charges, which increased operating margin for the 2009 first half as compared to the 2008 first half by 100 basis points. This increase was partially offset by 40 basis points for lower CFS volume and 20 basis points primarily for cost increases on international aircraft modernization sales.

Second Quarter: Specialized Products net sales for the 2009 second quarter increased by 4% compared to the 2008 second quarter reflecting higher sales volume primarily for: (1) Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) products primarily due to demand and deliveries on new and existing contracts, (2) training & simulation primarily related to new and existing contracts, (3) combat propulsion systems mostly from continued performance on existing contracts, (4) naval power & control systems due to follow-on contracts for tactical quiet generators for mobile electric power for the U.S. Armed Services, and (5) microwave products primarily due to deliveries of mobile and ground based satellite communications systems, tactical signal intelligence systems, and spare parts for the U.S. military. These increases were partially offset by a decrease for commercial aviation products and commercial shipbuilding products as a result of reduced demand caused by the global economic recession, and security and detection systems primarily due to the timing of certain deliveries. The increase in net sales from acquired businesses, net of divestitures, was $9 million, or 1%, and pertains mostly to the Electro-Optical Systems (EOS) business acquired on April 21, 2008 and Chesapeake Sciences Corporation acquired on January 30, 2009.

Specialized Products operating income for the 2009 second quarter as compared to the 2008 second quarter increased by 18% to $170 million from $143 million and operating margin of 12.1% for the 2009 second quarter increased by 150 basis points. The 2008 second quarter included a gain of $12 million for the Product Line Divestiture Gain and a $28 million non-cash Impairment Charge, and excluding these two items, operating margin for the 2009 second quarter of 12.1% increased by 40 basis points compared to the 2008 second quarter. Higher sales volume and favorable sales mix primarily for naval power & control systems, EO/IR products and training & simulation increased operating margin by 120 basis points. Acquired businesses increased operating margin by 20 basis points. These margin increases were partially offset by higher pension expense of $9 million, which reduced operating margin by 70 basis points and lower sales volume for commercial aviation and commercial ship building products, which reduced operating margin by 30 basis points.

First Half: Specialized Products net sales for the 2009 first half increased by 5% compared to the 2008 first half. The increase was driven by trends similar to the 2009 second quarter. The increase in net sales from acquired businesses, net of divestitures, was $68 million, or 3%, and pertains mostly to the EOS business and to Chesapeake Sciences Corporation.

Specialized Products operating income for the 2009 first half as compared to the 2008 first half increased by 10% to $311 million from $284 million and operating margin of 11.7% for the 2009 first half increased by 50 basis points. Excluding the Product Line Divestiture Gain and non-cash Impairment Charge, operating margin for the 2009 first half of 11.7% decreased 10 basis points compared to the 2008 first half. Higher pension expense of $20 million reduced operating margin by 70 basis points and lower sales volume for commercial aviation products and commercial shipbuilding products reduced operating margin by 30 basis points. These operating margin decreases were partially offset by 70 basis points primarily for higher sales volume and favorable sales mix primarily for naval power & control systems, EO/IR products and microwave products. Acquired businesses increased operating margin by 20 basis points.

Financial Outlook

Based on information known as of today, the company revised its consolidated and segment financial guidance for the year ending Dec. 31, 2009, as presented in the tables below.

All financial guidance amounts for the year ending Dec. 31, 2009 are estimates subject to revisions in the future for matters discussed under the “Forward-Looking Statements” cautionary language on the next page, and the company undertakes no duty to update its guidance. The 2009 financial guidance includes approximately $170 million of estimated sales growth compared to 2008 sales from business acquisitions, net of divestitures. Additional financial information regarding the 2009 second quarter results is available on the company’s Web site at www.L-3com.com. L-3 Announces Results for the 2009 Second Quarter Page 9

Conference Call

In conjunction with this release, L-3 will host a conference call today, Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. EDT that will be simultaneously broadcast over the Internet. Michael T. Strianese, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Ralph G. D’Ambrosio, vice president and chief financial officer, and Karen C. Tripp, vice president of corporate communications, will host the call.

Listeners may access the conference call live over the Internet at the company’s Web site at:

http://www.L-3com.com

Please allow fifteen minutes prior to the call to visit our Web site to download and install any necessary audio software. The archived version of the call may be accessed at our Web site or by dialing (888) 286-8010 (passcode: 57485380), beginning approximately two hours after the call ends and will be available until the company’s next quarterly earnings release.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 employs over 66,000 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. L-3 uses its Web site as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding L-3 is routinely posted on the company’s Web site and is readily accessible.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the matters discussed in this release 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,’’ and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, including projections of total sales growth, sales growth from business acquisitions, organic sales growth, consolidated operating margins, total segment operating margins, interest expense, earnings, cash flow, research and development costs, working capital, capital expenditures and other projections, they are subject to several risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and therefore, we can give no assurance that these statements will be achieved. Such statements will also be influenced by factors which include, among other things: our dependence on the defense industry and the business risks peculiar to that industry; our reliance on contracts with a limited number of agencies of, or contractors to, the U.S. Government and the possibility of termination of government contracts by unilateral government action or for failure to perform; the extensive legal and regulatory requirements surrounding our contracts with the U.S. or foreign governments and the results of any investigation of our contracts undertaken by the U.S. or foreign governments; our ability to retain our existing business and related contracts (revenue arrangements); our ability to successfully compete for and win new business and related contracts (revenue arrangements) and to win re-competitions of our existing contracts; our ability to identify and acquire additional businesses in the future with terms that are attractive to L-3 and to integrate acquired business operations; our ability to maintain and improve our consolidated operating margin and total segment operating margin in future periods; our ability to obtain future government contracts (revenue arrangements) on a timely basis; the availability of government funding or cost-cutting initiatives and changes in customer requirements for our products and services; our significant amount of debt and the restrictions contained in our debt agreements; our ability to continue to retain and train our existing employees and to recruit and hire new qualified and skilled employees as well as our ability to retain and hire employees with U.S. Government Security clearances; actual future interest rates, volatility and other assumptions used in the determination of pension benefits and equity based compensation, as well as the market performance of benefit plan assets; our collective bargaining agreements, our ability to successfully negotiate contracts with labor unions and our ability to favorably resolve labor disputes should they arise; the business, economic and political conditions in the markets in which we operate, including those for the commercial aviation, shipbuilding and communications market; global economic uncertainty; our ability to perform contracts on schedule; events beyond our control such as acts of terrorism; our international operations; our extensive use of fixed-price type contracts as compared to cost-reimbursable type and time-and-material type contracts; the rapid change of technology and high level of competition in the defense industry and the commercial industries in which our businesses participate; our introduction of new products into commercial markets or our investments in civil and commercial products or companies; the outcome of litigation matters; results of audits by U.S. Government agencies; anticipated cost savings from business acquisitions not fully realized or realized within the expected time frame; Titan’s compliance with its plea agreement and consent to entry of judgment with the U.S. Government relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), including Titan’s ability to maintain its export licenses as well as the outcome of other FCPA matters; ultimate resolution of contingent matters, claims and investigations relating to acquired businesses, and the impact on the final purchase price allocations; competitive pressure among companies in our industry; and the fair values of our assets, which can be impaired or reduced by other factors, some of which are discussed above.

For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could impair our results of operations or financial condition, see ‘‘Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors’’ and Note 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008.

Our forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. As for the forward-looking statements that relate to future financial results and other projections, actual results will be different due to the inherent uncertainties of estimates, forecasts and projections and may be better or worse than projected and such differences could be material. Given these uncertainties, you should not place any reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements also represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date that they were made. We expressly disclaim a duty to provide updates to these forward-looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions associated with them, after the date of this release to reflect events or changes in circumstances or changes in expectations or the occurrence of anticipated events.

Source: L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
Corporate Communications
212-697-1111