Inglewood, Calif., June 17, 2001 - Foam Matrix Inc., a developer of advanced composite structural core products, today announced it has signed a subcontract to develop foam core structural subsystems for the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) Advanced Technology Demonstration System being developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Phantom Works division of The Boeing Company. Foam Matrix's foam technology will serve as the structural core material in the wings of the UCAV demonstration vehicle.

The UCAV program is designed to prove the technological feasibility of multiple unmanned air vehicles autonomously performing extremely dangerous and high priority combat missions to augment the manned fighter strike force. The UCAV subcontract is the second such order for Foam Matrix to develop foam core structures for unmanned military air vehicles.

"Participating on such a new and unique defense program as the UCAV is an incredible honor and accomplishment for our team," said Kent Sherwood, president of Foam Matrix. "This is the second high profile aerospace program that we are now supporting, the first being the JASSM program for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. As we position ourselves in this aspect of the aerospace business, we are confident that our product will continue to be considered for current and new applications requiring a material as versatile as our foam technology."

From Surfboards to Military Air Vehicles, Foam Core Material "Fills the Need"

Long used as the core material in surfboards and wind surfers, Foam Matrix's foam technology is today being utilized in more high tech, multiple requirement applications. As a lighter, more cost efficient alternative to previous core structures such as honeycomb, the foam product produced by the company's Foam Matrix Core (FMC) System is fast becoming the preferred material in such mission-critical integration roles as the military's newest strategic air defense vehicles.

Foam Matrix' FMC-System produces high quality, low cost, composite structural cores that can be designed and integrated into a variety of environments. Unlike most structural cores that require excess assembly tools, integration parts and materials such as fasteners, splices and potting compounds, the FMC-System is a one-step, one-tool method that greatly reduces traditional production processes and maintenance as well as the costs associated with both. In addition to wind surfers and surfboards, Foam Matrix structural cores have been proven in various aerospace and commercial applications to include the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Attack Missile, the Pegasus Rocket, light aircraft wings and wind turbine blades.

UCAV: A Revolutionary New Weapon System Concept

The Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle represents a revolutionary new weapon system that can significantly increase the effectiveness and survivability of manned fighter aircraft while lowering the overall cost of combat operations.

The UCAV demonstration system includes two air vehicles, a mission control station and supportable elements. The two air vehicles have a stealthy, tailless, 27-foot long airframe with a 34-foot wingspan. They weigh 8,000 pounds (empty) and can carry a 3,000 pound payload.

"Foam Matrix' structural foam material is a cost solution for our UCAV vehicle" said Rich Alldredge, UCAV program manager for the Boeing Phantom Works. "The material is lightweight, simple in design, easy-to-integrate and offers long product lifecycle benefits."

Because of their size, lack of pilot interfaces and training requirements, reusability and long-term storage capability, UCAVs are projected to cost up to 65 percent less to produce than future manned fighter aircraft and up to 75 percent less to operate and maintain than current systems.

Foam Matrix Inc.

Located in Inglewood, California, Foam Matrix Inc, an ISO 9000 certified company, develops high quality, cost efficient composite structural core systems for a variety of aerospace and commercial applications. The company's patented FMC-System produces structural core systems that can be designed to meet a customer's integration, performance and cost requirements.

The Boeing Company and the Phantom Works

With headquarters in Seattle, The Boeing Company is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems.

The Phantom Works is the advanced research and development unit of Boeing focused on developing innovative, breakthrough solutions that improve the cost, quality, cycle time and performance of the company's broad range of products and services.