GE Aviation Teams With L-3 for USAF KC-10 Aircraft Extension Program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(Business Wire)--GE Aviation recently signed an exclusive teaming agreement withL-3 Communications for the United States Air Force KC-10 AMP AircraftExtension Program (AEP). "GE Aviation is delighted to partner with L-3 to provide theintegrated avionics systems on the KC-10," said Dr. John Ferrie,President of Systems for GE Aviation. "We're both proven providerswithin the marketplace and make a strong team to supply the mostadvanced technology in integrated aircraft and avionics systems." GE will provide systems integration at the avionicslevel while L-3 will perform aircraft-level integration. Morespecifically, GE will provide integrated modular avionics for the coreprocessing system, avionics integration including avionic sub-systemsand systems integration support to the L-3 aircraft integration; L-3will provide systems engineering, aircraft design, A-kit design andmodification, aircraft systems integration and aircraft certificationwork. "The KC-10 has served America for decades," said Bob Drewes,President of L-3's Integrated Systems Group. "The L-3 and GE AviationKC-10 partnership will bring together the needed capabilities to yielda low-risk, competitive solution and ensure that this platform willcontinue to accomplish its mission far into the future." This agreement is a highly integrated synergistic team approach toavionics subsystems design, integration and certification that allowsthe customer the freedom of choice from a large base of combinedavionics systems. Pulling from core technologies in flight managementsystems, re-fueling technologies, standby instrumentation and overallavionics integration capabilities creates a world-class integrationpartnership between the two companies. The agreement is through theSystems division of GE Aviation, formerly Smiths Aerospace. The KC-10 AEP is a major modification to meet the FAA CNS/ATMrequirements and include enhancements to the flight deckcommunication, navigation, and surveillance systems to ensure totalinteroperability in civil airspace. The upgrades will increaseaircraft survivability, reliability, and net-centric operationalcapabilities, ensuring KC-10 functionality throughout global airspacein digital combat and commercial environments. Powered by threeGeneral Electric CF6 turbofan engines, the KC-10 provides a versatilepersonnel and cargo carrier which deploys fighter aircraft, includingsupport equipment and personnel, nonstop to any point on the globe. GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company

(NYSE:GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jetengines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power,and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a globalservice network to support these offerings. For more information,visit us at www.ge.com/aviation.GE AviationJennifer Villarreal, + 1 616-241-8643Heather Cox, + 44 771 350 5560ORL-3 CommunicationsCynthia Swain +1 212-697-1111Jason Decker +1 903-457-4402Copyright Business Wire 2007