General Atomics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug 03, 2004

3 August 2004 - San Diego, California. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft surveillance systems, announced today it has entered exclusive teaming agreements with AAI Corporation and SPARTA, Inc. to pursue the U.S. Army Extended Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) UAV Program. The team members, called collectively as Team Warrior, offer unique though complementary expertise which provides the U.S. Army ERMP Program with the best solution for acquiring combat-proven unmanned aircraft, operational U.S. Army ground control equipment and sound system engineering and logistics support. The ERMP program has an estimated value of $900 million. Contract award is anticipated this fall.

Designed to provide Division and Corps commanders with a long range armed unmanned aircraft surveillance capability, Team Warrior’s solution will utilize common U.S. Army systems and processes which will reduce financial, technical and operational risks to the customer.

GA-ASI’s vast design, development and operational experience in unmanned aircraft systems such as the Predator B, Army IGNAT-ER, Predator and others, along with AAI’s Army One System ground control equipment and Sparta’s extensive logistics support services, provides the U.S. Army with a low-risk, high value solution to meet operational requirements for persistent ISR mission execution.

“We chose to team with two very reputable and knowledgeable U.S.-based companies who will add an incredible level of value to the ERMP program. The U.S. Army has clearly stated their interest to fuse a long endurance UAV into their current architecture. Team Warrior offers an exceptional solution to enable the customer to operate, gather surveillance data and engage the enemy without technical risks. We look forward to offering and implementing Team Warrior’s solution to the U.S. Army,” stated Mr. Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer.

About the Companies

Headquartered in San Diego, California, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. was established in 1993 to design, develop and deliver proven and reliable unmanned aircraft systems for various customers throughout the world. The U.S. Army, along with the Navy and Air Force, have procured the company’s I-GNAT, Predator and Predator B aircraft systems. Aircraft produced by the company have accumulated some 100,000 flight hours. The company is dedicated to providing long endurance, mission capable aircraft systems for a variety of mission applications including surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, weapons delivery, scientific research, atmospheric monitoring and other commercial applications.

AAI Corporation is focused on the design and production of defense and training systems. AAI produces the Army’s RQ-7 Shadow tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. Shadow TUAVs have flown more than 8,700 combat hours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to unmanned aerial vehicle systems, its products include training and simulation systems, automated aircraft test and maintenance equipment, and logistical/engineering services for government-owned equipment. The company is headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

SPARTA, Inc. is an employee-owned company headquartered in Lake Forest, California with 20 offices located throughout the United States. As a systems engineering and advanced technology company with over 24 years of nationally recognized achievements, SPARTA is dedicated to serving the nation’s needs in the areas of strategic defensive and offensive systems, tactical weapons systems, space systems and management information systems. SPARTA’s strengths in system engineering, analysis, simulation, technology development, engineering services and logistics support made SPARTA an ideal teammate for logistics and supportability for the Extended Range Multi-Purpose Program.

Additional information on the teaming companies may be obtained by contacting the following:

Public Relations Department
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1.858.455.2294 
pr-asi@uav.com

Susan Flowers
AAI Communications SPARTA, Inc.
410.628.8710 
FLOWERS@aaicorp.com
703.560.8336 
S.Flowers@TheFlowersGroup.com

Jerry Fabian
SPARTA, Inc.
949.583.2305 
jerry_fabian@sparta.com