E&S U.K. Joint Venture Takes Award for Best PFI

Business Wire, June 12, 2002

Business Editors

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2002

QUEST Flight Training Limited, a joint venture company formed by Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (E&S(R)) (Nasdaq: ESCC) and Quadrant Systems for the E-3D Sentry Aircrew Training Service (SATS), has received an award for the best U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) project in its category.

The award was presented to QUEST Managing Director Jeff Sandiford at the recent Public Private Finance Awards 2002 ceremony in London.

Located at RAF Waddington, the upgraded E-3D Sentry Aircrew Training Service was certified "ready for training" late last year. Operated by QUEST, the simulator is equipped with an E&S ESIG(R)-4500/ESCP visual system.

According to the judges' summary, "The objective of this winning scheme is to provide flight crew simulator training on a fixed-priced, pay-by-the-hour basis for the Royal Air Force's (RAF) most expensive and crucial aircraft type, the E-3D Sentry. The contract runs for the life of the aircraft, expected to be around 30 years.

"The scheme is unusual in that a small private sector team (Quadrant Systems and Evans & Sutherland) succeeded in the bid against established, billion-pound-plus rivals. The strength of the winners' proposal was founded upon an innovative equipment upgrade solution based on the maximum use of existing assets.

"The build phase of the project was completed three months ahead of the Defence Procurement Agency's (DPA) schedule. The training service is now fully under way, with high performance measured and compliments recorded by the RAF and French Air Force (FAF) users due to its excellence."

The judges were attracted by this scheme because of its "sparkling" value in a technically complex environment and because the system is also used by the French Air Force. They referred to the program as "a practical and innovative technical solution generated by out-of-the-box thinking."

"QUEST is delighted to receive this prestigious PFI award, which recognizes the tremendous achievement of the project team," said Sandiford. "The judges' selection highlights the innovative approach by Quadrant Systems, Evans & Sutherland, and Barclays Bank. However, realization of this approach was only possible because of the vision and professionalism displayed by the DPA and the RAF.

"The attitude and level of cooperation by all concerned have resulted in a true PFI partnership."

About Evans & Sutherland

Evans & Sutherland produces professional hardware and software to create highly realistic visual images for simulation, training, engineering, and other applications throughout the world. E&S visual systems are used in both military and commercial systems, as well as planetariums and interactive theaters. Visit the E&S Web site at http://www.es.com.

E&S, ESCP, and ESIG are registered trademarks of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp., Salt Lake City. All other trade names or marks are the properties of their respective owners.