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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM 11-K
(Mark one)
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-14141
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS
AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
(FULL TITLE OF THE PLAN AND THE ADDRESS OF THE PLAN,
IF DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE ISSUER NAMED BELOW)
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
600 Third Ave
New York, NY 10016
(Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and
the address of its principal executive office)
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L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS
SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES
December 31, 2003 and 2002
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Administrative Committee of
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits
of the L-3 Ilex Systems Savings and Security Plan and Trust (the Plan) as of
December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of changes in net assets
available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of L-3 Ilex Systems
Savings and Security Plan and Trust as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the
changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedules
are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part
of the basic financial statements, but are required by the Department of Labor's
Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility
of the Plan's management. These supplemental schedules have been subjected to
the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements
and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to
the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
\s\ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
San Jose, California
June 20, 2004
- 1 -
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
December 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002
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ASSETS
Investments $31,213,125 $22,944,062
Participant loans 628,303 686,722
Employer contributions receivable 698,874 516,884
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NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
FOR BENEFITS $32,540,302 $24,147,668
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See Notes to Financial Statements
- 2 -
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
2003 2002
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ADDITIONS (REDUCTIONS)
Additions (reductions) to net assets
attributed to:
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair
value of investments $ 5,257,284 $(2,756,608)
Interest and dividends 595,131 505,767
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5,852,415 (2,250,841)
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Contributions:
Employer 698,874 517,418
Participants 2,887,443 2,375,002
Rollovers 334,074 4,590,992
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3,920,391 7,483,412
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TOTAL ADDITIONS 9,772,806 5,232,571
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DEDUCTIONS
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Benefits paid to participants 1,326,191 684,310
Administrative expenses 34,299 31,775
Other 19,682 51,436
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TOTAL DEDUCTIONS 1,380,172 767,521
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NET INCREASE 8,392,634 4,465,050
TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO PLAN -- 314,802
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR
BENEFITS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 24,147,668 19,367,816
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NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR
BENEFITS, END OF YEAR $32,540,302 $24,147,668
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See Notes to Financial Statements
- 3 -
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(1) DESCRIPTION OF PLAN
The following description of the L-3 Ilex Systems Savings and Security
Plan and Trust (the Plan) provides only general information.
Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete
description of the Plan's provisions.
GENERAL - The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all
full-time employees of L-3 Communications Ilex Systems, Inc. (the Plan
Sponsor) who have one year of service and are age twenty-one or older.
It is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
CONTRIBUTIONS - Participants may elect salary deferral contributions up
to 15% of their annual eligible compensation, not to exceed limitations
established annually by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to IRC
Section 402(g). Salary deferral contributions and earnings thereon are
not subject to taxation until withdrawn from the Plan. Contributions
are subject to certain limitations.
The Plan provides for discretionary matching contributions. The amount
of the matching contribution is specified annually by the Company's
Board of Directors and shall be applied uniformly to all participants.
PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS - Each participant's account is credited with the
participant's contribution, the Plan Sponsor's contribution and plan
earnings, and charged with an allocation of administrative expenses.
Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as
defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit
that can be provided from the participant's vested account.
VESTING - Participants are immediately vested in their voluntary
contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Company discretionary
matching contributions are vested in a graduated schedule as follows: 0
- 3 years, no vesting; 3 or more years, 100% vested.
PARTICIPANT LOANS - Loans are available to all participants. The
minimum loan is $1,000 and the maximum loan available is the lesser of
$50,000 or 50% of the participant's vested account balance based on the
value of the participant's account as of the most recent valuation
date. Loans are secured by the balance in the participant's account and
bear interest at rates ranging from 5.00% to 10.75%, which approximates
the market rate at the inception of the loans. Principal and interest
are paid ratably through monthly payroll deductions. Repayment periods
cannot exceed five years unless the loan is used for the purchase of a
principal residence. In this instance, the repayment period may be up
to 15 years.
- 4 -
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(1) DESCRIPTION OF PLAN (CONTINUED)
PAYMENT OF BENEFITS - Upon death, retirement or termination of
employment, participants are entitled to receive their vested account
balance. If the balance is equal to or less than $5,000, the balance
will be distributed in a lump-sum cash payment. If the account balance
is over $5,000, the participant may elect to roll over the balance to
another qualified plan, receive the balance in a lump-sum cash payment
or receive annuity benefits as prescribed by the Plan.
FORFEITED ACCOUNTS - The participant's share of Company contributions
that have not been vested will be forfeited. Forfeitures of Company
matching contributions may be used to reduce administrative expenses
and reduce matching contributions for the Plan year in which the
forfeitures occur. At December 31, 2003, forfeited nonvested accounts
totaled $22,199. These accounts will be used to reduce future employer
contributions. Employer contributions were reduced by $30,127 and
$21,956 from forfeited nonvested accounts during the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
PLAN TERMINATION - Although it has not expressed an intention to do so,
the Company has the right under the Plan to terminate the Plan at any
time, subject to the provision of ERISA. In the event of Plan
termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS - Upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant may
direct employee contributions in any of thirteen investment options.
Funds are invested in shares of mutual funds and shares of the Plan
Sponsor.
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING - The financial statements of the Plan are prepared
under the accrual method of accounting. Accordingly, income is
recognized when earned and expenses are recorded when incurred.
ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires the plan
administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain
reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results may
differ from those estimates.
INVESTMENT VALUATION AND INCOME RECOGNITION - Investments are recorded
at fair value based upon quoted market prices. The average cost method
is used in determining the gain or loss arising upon the sale of
investments.
Participant loans are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.
Acquisition costs are included in the cost of investments and sales are
recorded net of selling expenses.
- 5 -
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK - The Plan provides for various
investment fund options, which in turn invest in any combination of
stocks, bonds and other investment securities. Investment securities
are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit
risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment
securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in
the near term would materially affect participants' account balances
and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for
benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for
benefits.
PAYMENT OF BENEFITS - Benefits are recorded when paid.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES - Management fees are allocated on a pro rata
basis to each participant. All other significant expenses are paid by
the Plan.
PLAN ASSETS HELD BY T. ROWE PRICE TRUST COMPANY, INVESTMENT MANAGER -
The Plan's investment manager, T. Rowe Price Trust Company, maintains
plan assets. The accounts are credited with actual earnings on the
underlying investments and charged for plan withdrawals and management
fees charged by T. Rowe Price Trust Company. The Plan's investments and
changes therein have been reported by the investment manager as having
been determined through the use of current market values.
(3) PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS
Certain Plan investments are mutual funds managed by T. Rowe Price
Trust Company. T. Rowe Price Trust Company is the custodian as defined
by the Plan and, therefore, these transactions qualify as
party-in-interest transactions. Fees paid by the Plan to T. Rowe Price
Trust Company for administrative and investment management fees totaled
$34,299 and $31,775 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002,
respectively.
- 6 -
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(4) INVESTMENTS
The following presents investments that represent 5% or more of the
Plan's net assets:
DECEMBER 31,
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2003 2002
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Stable Value Fund $ 3,349,861 $ 2,977,808
New Income Fund 1,757,822 1,770,857
Science & Techonology Fund 4,844,443 2,705,699
Equity Income Fund 4,722,274 3,502,988
Capital Appreciation Fund 3,601,558 2,599,153
Small-Cap Value Fund 3,289,611 2,154,907
L-3 Stock Fund 2,929,401 1,996,377
During 2003 and 2002, the Plan's investments (including gains and
losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year)
appreciated (depreciated) in value as follows:
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
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2003 2002
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Mutual Funds $ 4,906,796 $(2,707,005)
Common Stock 350,488 (49,603)
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$ 5,257,284 $(2,756,608)
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- 7 -
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(5) RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO SCHEDULE H OF FORM 5500
The amounts reported on Form 5500 are in agreement with the amounts
included in the accompanying financial statements and supplemental
schedules for the year ended December 31, 2003.
For the year ended December 31, 2002, the amounts were in agreement
except for the timing of the receipt of employer contributions,
payment of participant benefits and payment of administrative expenses.
The differences noted are as follows:
Benefits and
Employer Other Administrative
Contributions Payments Expenses
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Balance per financials $ 517,418 $ 735,746 $ 31,775
Difference (534) 67 (600)
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Balance per Form 5500 $ 516,884 $ 735,813 $ 31,175
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(6) TAX STATUS
The Plan received a favorable determination letter in October 1994 from
the Internal Revenue Service stating that the Plan is qualified under
the provisions of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 401(a) and the
related trust is exempt from federal income taxes under IRC Section
501(a). Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is reflected in the
accompanying financial statements. The Plan Sponsor believes that the
Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the
applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Continued
qualification of the Plan depends on its future operations.
(7) TRANSFER OF ASSETS INTO THE PLAN
L-3 Communications Ilex Systems, Inc. acquired a company in July of
2002. In connection with this acquisition, participant loans, valued
at $314,802, were transferred to the Plan during 2002.
- 8 -
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES
L-3 ILEX SYSTEMS SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN AND TRUST
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4I - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
December 31, 2003
EIN: 003
Plan Number: 94-2782626
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Description
of investments
including maturity
date, rate of interest
Identity of issue, borrower, collateral, par or Current
lessor, or similar party maturity value Cost(1) value
--- ---------------------------- ------------------------------- ------ ---------------
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Stable Value Fund $ 3,349,861
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company International Stock Fund 1,360,867
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company New Income Fund 1,757,822
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Prime Reserve Fund 903,033
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Short Term Bond Fund 1,117,079
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Science & Technology Fund 4,844,443
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Equity Income Fund 4,722,274
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Capital Appreciation Fund 3,601,558
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company New Asia Fund 995,437
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Small-Cap Value Fund 3,289,611
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Value Fund 1,369,861
* T. Rowe Price Trust Company Dividend Growth Fund 971,878
L-3 Communications L-3 Communications Common Stock $ 2,929,401
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31,213,125
Participant Loans Interest at 5.00% to 10.75% 628,303
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$31,841,428
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* Party-in-interest as defined by ERISA
(1) Cost information may be omitted as Plan assets are participant-directed.
See Notes to Financial Statements
- 9 -
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
trustees of the L-3 ILEX Systems Savings and Security Plan and Trust have duly
caused this annual report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
L-3 ILEX Systems Savings and Security Plan and Trust
Registrant
Date: June 28, 2004
/s/ Michael T. Strianese
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Name: Michael T. Strianese
Title: Senior Vice President, Finance
of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
(Principal Accounting Officer)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
As independent public accountants, we consent to the incorporation by reference
in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.'s 333-59281, 333-64389,
333-78317, 333-64300 and 333-103752) and on Form S-3 (File No.'s 333-75558,
333-84826 and 333-99693) pertaining to the L-3 Ilex Systems Savings and Security
Plan and Trust of our report dated June 20, 2004, with respect to the financial
statements and supplemental schedules of L-3 Ilex Systems Savings and Security
Plan and Trust included in this Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2003
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It should be noted that we
have not audited any financial statements of the Plan subsequent to December 31,
2003.
\s\ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
San Jose, California
June 24, 2003