L-3 Communications Corporation, formed with the 1997 merger of Loral Corporation and Lockheed Martin business units, provides the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. government intelligence agencies, and aerospace contractors with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. It provides clients with secure communications, simulation and training, aircraft modernization, and shipboard communications products and services. L-3 Communications also develops microwave components, telemetry, instrumentation, and wireless communications products. The firm encompasses dozens of companies, including Titan Group, Henschel Incorporated, Vertex Aerospace, ESSCO, EOTECH Incorporated, WESCAM, and Pacord. In its first year of operation, the firm acquired ILEX Systems, Ocean Systems, and SPD Technologies Incorporated. It acquired Advanced System Architectures Limited, TCS Design and Management Services, and SAM Electronics GmbH in 2006. The firm's Communications Systems-East division is known for its Strategic/Tactical Airborne Recorder (S/TAR) product line, employed in tactical reconnaissance aircraft. The division's ALL-S/TAR (TM) multi-channel, magnetic disk-based recorder system is used in multi-sensor surveillance aircraft. L-3 Communications companies also are known for the Fly-Away SATCOM terminals, eXaminer 3DX (TM) 6000 baggage screening, OMNI (TM) secure communications, Vigra (R) video imaging, and AVDS 1790 air-cooled diesel engine product lines. L-3 Communications went public in 1998. The firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the LLL symbol. The company had fiscal year 2001 revenues of $2.3 billion. L-3 Communications is focusing on expanding its merchant supplier network and making strategic business acquisitions. The firm was founded by Frank C. Lanza and Robert V. LaPenta.