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Cubic Unveils New Tactical Communications Products
at Major Military Exposition

SAN DIEGO, CALIF., Feb. 1, 2005 – The defense segment of Cubic Corporation (AMEX:CUB) unveiled its next-generation tactical communications and signal intelligence products today at the Western Conference and Exposition (WEST 2005), a major Armed Forces communications and electronics show that runs Feb. 1-3 in San Diego. The new technologies will help the military ensure real-time situational awareness on land, air and sea.

The products – including a man-portable data link and a “FORCEnet” enabled signal intelligence package – are variants of Cubic’s Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL). Cubic’s TCDL was recently selected for the UK’s WATCHKEEPER program, the most significant UAV program in Europe, which will employ unmanned aircraft for intelligence gathering missions.

Cubic’s data links products are designed to support air-to-surface transmission of radar, imagery, and other sensor information between manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, ground station networks and shipboard platforms.

“Drawing upon more than 15 years of experience in providing data links for the Joint STARS program, we are leveraging our technology to ensure that all branches of the military have access to a common, interoperable data link. This will help fulfill the DoD’s requirements for a network-centric capability,” said Rick Lober, senior vice president of Cubic’s Communications and Electronics Business Unit.

The new TCDL products are interoperable with the U.S. Navy’s next-generation Communications Data Link System (CDLS), also on display at WEST 2005. Cubic is providing the Navy CDLS under a five-year contract potentially valued at $92.7 million.

The man-portable TCDL system provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) for the foot soldier on-the-move. It features small, lightweight components that can be hand-carried and easily installed by troops.

A key advantage of the man-portable TCDL is its streaming video capabilities for airborne sensor platforms. This allows the user to obtain time-sensitive information to precisely locate and identify the enemy – anywhere, anytime on the battlefield – using a ruggedized laptop, mini antenna system and compact TCDL.

Cubic is currently developing the man-portable system for the U.S. Marines under a contract awarded in 2004. The system can operate with any TCDL-based platform, including ships, UAVs, combat aircraft and helicopters.

Cubic’s new FORCEnet-enabled signal intelligence package takes data links technologies to a new level. It merges Cubic’s TCDL with its digital CDR-4000 receiver to extend surveillance capabilities for the military and intelligence communities.

The compact data link/ receiver package can be pod-mounted on combat aircraft or installed inside UAVs and ground station networks. Cubic is currently demonstrating the feasibility of the pod-mounted configuration for the U.S. Navy.

The package allows authorized users to remotely monitor a wide range of signals and obtain positioning data – anywhere on the military’s Global Information Grid -- through a secure LAN browser. Using this “FORCEnet” computer network, users can monitor, track and time-tag the frequency of their choice at multiple locations.

At WEST 2005, Cubic will also highlight the following new products under development:

High-Frequency Communications – Cubic is making inroads in the military community with the integration of its HF power amplifiers aboard U.S. submarines. As part of the AN/USC-61 Digital Modular Radio (DMR) system, Cubic is developing a 500W power amplifier that will be merged with General Dynamics’ software-defined radio system. General Dynamics is developing the DMR for the DoD’s Program Executive Office for C4I and Space. The DMR system is a software-controlled and reconfigurable digital communication system that improves the Navy’s ability to communicate with diverse legacy radios.

Combat Search-and-Rescue – Cubic continues to lead the market with its Personnel Locator System (PLS). The company is beginning shipments of a completely redesigned AN/ARS-6 PLS – the version V12 – which replaces the traditional system. Cubic’s PLS has been the standard combat search-and-rescue system for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and NATO for 17 years. Like the traditional system, the V12 system covertly and precisely locates downed or missing pilots, in a single pass under harsh operation conditions, while concealing their location from the enemy.

The smaller, lighter and more powerful AN/ARS-6 V12 system includes extended and improved voice communications over the entire UHF spectrum; interoperability with all standard emergency beacons; plus new data features that allow two-way text messaging and GPS location from new-generation survival. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Special Operations Command is the first customer to receive the V12 system.

The Cubic Defense Applications group, one of Cubic's two major segments, is a world leader in realistic combat training systems, mission support services and defense electronics. The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's website at www.cubic.com.

 


   
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