Buses With BAE SYSTEMS' Hybrid System Being Deployed in California, Complete 300,000 Service Miles in New York

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For Immediate Release

Buses With BAE SYSTEMS' Hybrid System Being Deployed in California, Complete 300,000 Service Miles in New York

JOHNSON CITY, NEW YORK, May. 7 -/E-Wire/-- Hybrid electric buses equipped with BAE SYSTEMS' HybriDrive(TM) propulsion system will debut in two California transit systems this spring and are slated to enter service in San Francisco later this year.

Meanwhile, 10 HybriDrive(TM)-equipped buses have completed 300,000 miles of revenue service in New York, where MTA New York City Transit plans to add 325 more buses equipped with the BAE SYSTEMS drive train to its fleet between 2001 and 2004.

"The growing popularity of hybrid buses is evidence that transit authorities from coast to coast recognize the benefits of this technology,' said James Scanlon, president of BAE SYSTEMS Controls. "Hybrid buses dramatically cut emissions, improve fuel economy, and have the potential to reduce vehicle maintenance needs. We are proud to play a significant part in expanding the use of this technology for transit applications.'

During May, Fresno Area Express and the city of Torrance each will place two hybrids in revenue service. Later this month, the San Francisco Municipal Railway will take delivery of two hybrid units. These agencies will evaluate the buses, all based on the low-floor platform built by Orion Bus Industries, as part of their efforts to cut fleet emissions.

MTA New York City Transit began deploying a 10-unit evaluation fleet using the HybriDrive(TM) system in the fall of 1998. To date, those buses have accumulated more than 300,000 miles in revenue service, mostly on congested routes in Manhattan.

New York's experience has been so positive that NYCT has placed two large production orders with Orion Bus Industries -- one for 125 units and the other for 200 -- deliveries on which will begin in late 2001.

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston has logged about 35,000 miles on a pair of Orion VI buses powered by the HybriDrive(TM) system.

The HybriDrive(TM) propulsion system uses an AC induction motor to turn the vehicle's drive wheels. A diesel-powered generator supplies propulsion power to the electric motor and to a battery pack. This configuration dramatically reduces emissions while improving fuel economy by 25% to 50% and improving performance.

With the HybriDrive(TM) propulsion system, there is no transmission to maintain and overhaul, and regenerative braking extends the life of the vehicle's service brakes. The hybrids currently in service use diesel engines, but the technology is compatible with other fuel types, such as compressed natural gas and emerging technologies including fuel cells.

BAE SYSTEMS is the truly global systems, defense, and aerospace company. BAE SYSTEMS employs more than 100,000 people in eight home markets around the world and has annual sales of some $18 billion. The company offers an unrivaled global capability in air and on sea, land, and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills.

BAE SYSTEMS designs and manufactures civil and military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems, and a range of other defense products.

BAE SYSTEMS North America employs 22,000 people in the design, development, integration, manufacture, and support of a wide range of advanced aerospace products and intelligent electronic systems for government and commercial customers.

BAE SYSTEMS Controls, an operating unit of BAE SYSTEMS North America, is a leading supplier of electronic flight and engine controls for defense and commercial aircraft and launch vehicle applications.

It also provides integrated avionics for aircraft applications and complete unmanned aerial vehicle systems and is a leader in electronic controls for the locomotive industry and the emerging hybrid-electric vehicle market. Controls operates facilities in Johnson City, N.Y.; Santa Monica and Ontario, Calif.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Redmond, Wash.

BAE SYSTEMS Controls

http://http://www.baesystems.com

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