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Friday, February 25, 2005
L-3 MAS awards $200 million contract to xwave

Newest member of expert team supporting Canada’s Maritime Helicopter Project

Mirabel, QC/Halifax, NS, February 25, 2005 – L-3 Communications MAS (Canada) Inc., a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, has contracted xwave of Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the design, provision and long-term support of the Integrated Information Environment (IIE) for Canada’s Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP), which will replace aging Sea Kings with 28 Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopters. This 20-year contract is valued at approximately $200 million and will employ 50 high-tech specialists in Nova Scotia.

“We are delighted to bring on board a company that delivers high calibre solutions and possesses unique expertise in systems integration within the Canadian defence and aerospace industry,” commented Sylvain Bédard, president of L-3 MAS. “xwave has a strong, experienced team in Halifax as well as a very good track record on major projects with high visibility, and is therefore a best-of-breed partner in whom we have total confidence. All the links in our value chain remain strong.”

L-3 MAS is responsible for In-Service Support (ISS) for Canada’s Maritime Helicopter Project. The mandate includes responsibility for provision of infrastructure, ensuring a smooth transition from production to in-service, providing both a training facility and training to Canadian Forces aircrew and maintenance personnel, as well as overall fleet management and control of all ISS work in strict accordance with cost, schedule and performance requirements.

A critical component of the support infrastructure is the Integrated Information Environment. The IIE real-time computer system aims to maximize the availability of the new helicopters and minimize support costs. This will be achieved by collecting data as well as facilitating access and communications among various Department of National Defence (DND) organizations and with their supplier base contractors.

The system will provide a common interface for accessing technical documentation, maintenance records, training material and mission-planning information used by the DND and support contractors. For example, system users on Canadian Forces Bases in the Maritime Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) and on board HMC ships during missions will be able to access all the information they need to manage the Maritime Helicopter fleet, meet its missions and perform maintenance and training.

“IIE represents one of the largest contracts in xwave’s history and we are grateful for the confidence that L-3 MAS has shown in us,” said Paul Kent, chief operating officer of xwave. “We feel we are in an ideal position to provide critical expertise and value-added support on this important local project.”

Work on the IIE will be performed at xwave’s facilities in Halifax and Ottawa as well as in Shearwater, Nova Scotia, and Patricia Bay, British Columbia. System development will take place during the first four years of the contract; ongoing life-cycle support will be provided for the remaining 16 years of the contract.

Mr. Bédard also added, “L-3 Communications has been active in Nova Scotia under the name L-3 Electronic Systems and we look forward to remaining an integral part of the Nova Scotia business community.”

About the Maritime Helicopter Project
In November 2004, the Government of Canada awarded its Maritime Helicopter Project to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, which charged L-3 MAS with lead responsibility for In-Service Support (ISS). The contract calls for the provision of 28 Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone medium-lift helicopters, destined to replace the Canadian Forces’ aging fleet of Sea King aircraft, and for 20 years of ISS for the fleet.

About L-3 MAS
L-3 MAS is among Canada’s leading providers of aircraft fleet management, product life-cycle extension, support services and aircraft maintenance to government departments and agencies and commercial customers. L-3 MAS employs 850 people at operating centers in Cold Lake, Ottawa, Mirabel, Fredericton, Bagotville and Williamtown (Australia). In addition to leading the in-service support effort for the CH-148 Cyclone, L-3 MAS provides extensive fleet management, engineering and maintenance support for the Canadian Forces and Royal Australian Air Force fleets of F-18 fighter aircraft. More information can be found at www.mas.L-3com.com.

About xwave
xwave, an Aliant Company, is a full-service business-solutions provider that serves clients through systems integration, infrastructure services and fulfillment. These areas offer clients a broad delivery capability. xwave plans, designs, builds and operates complete IT solutions that meet business-process needs and are designed to deliver a tangible return on IT investments. With more than $340 million in revenues and 1,900 people, xwave is one of the largest business-solutions companies in Canada, with locations in St. John’s, Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Ottawa, Toronto, New England and Ireland. More information can be found at www.xwave.com.

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Contacts:
Dixon Kenny
Vice President, Marketing and Business Development
L-3 Communications MAS (Canada) Inc.
(450) 476-4568
dixon.kenny@L-3com.com

Karen Ewing
Director, Marketing
xwave
(877) 332-4605
karen.ewing@xwave.com

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