L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.
(
LLL
) announced that it has been selected by the Commonwealth of
Australia to provide the C-27J Spartan for the country's
Battlefield Airlifter program.
According to the company, the U.S. Foreign Military Sales
program has an approximate contract value of $600 million and
includes the supply of 10 new C-27J aircraft worth about $300
million, plus contractor logistics support, spares and
training.
Australia selected the C-27J aircraft for its multifunctional
ability. The aircraft is capable of logistical re-supply, medevac,
troop movement, airdrop operations and humanitarian assistance.
L-3 Communications Holdings operates through its wholly owned
subsidiary, L-3 Communications Corporation. L-3 Communications is a
leading supplier of a broad range of products and services used on
a number of aerospace and defense platforms. In addition, the
company is a prime system contractor for aircraft modernization and
maintenance; ISR collection platforms; simulation and training; and
government systems support services. The company reported fiscal
2011 sales of $15.2 billion.
L-3 Communications recently increased its revenue guidance range
for full-year 2012 to $14.6 billion-$14.8 billion versus its prior
expectation of $14.4 billion-$14.6 billion. The company expects
operating margin of 10.1% and EPS in the range of $8.45-$8.60 for
fiscal 2012.
L-3 Communications remains a key player within the defense
segment and mainly competes with
FLIR Systems Inc.
(
FLIR
) and
Cyalume Technologies Holdings Inc.
(
CYLU
). We believe it is one of the best-positioned pure defense plays
by virtue of its non-platform focus and broad diversification of
programs.
L-3 Communications is strengthening itself by focusing on
improvement of operational efficiencies, investing in research and
development to provide affordable solutions, acquiring businesses
that will add new capabilities and expanding product lines and
divesting businesses. Moreover, its broad diversification of
programs would provide growth momentum. Going forward, we expect
future growth to come from the company's strong presence in the
current focus areas of C3ISR equipment; precision-guided weapons;
unmanned aerial vehicles ("UAVs"); and other electro-mechanical
robotic capabilities.
However, we are concerned about the loss of key contracts,
defense spending cuts and lack of near-term catalysts. Order growth
and volume increases also remain dubious in this challenging
environment.
The company presently retains a short-term Zacks #3 Rank (Hold)
that corresponds with our long-term Neutral recommendation on the
stock.
FLIR SYSTEMS (FLIR): Free Stock Analysis Report
L-3 COMM HLDGS (LLL): Free Stock Analysis
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