10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 25, 2015

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                 to                

Commission file numbers 001-14141 and 333-46983

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact names of registrants as specified in their charters)

Delaware	13-3937434 and 13-3937436
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Nos.)
600 Third Avenue, New York, NY	10016
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(212) 697-1111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files).    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant, L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant, L-3 Communications Corporation, Inc., is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	x  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

There were 78,387,731 shares of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. common stock with a par value of $0.01 outstanding as of the close of business on October 23, 2015.

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 25, 2015

		Page No.
	PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 25, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014		1
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Quarterly and Year-to-Date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014		2
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Quarterly and Year-to-Date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014		4
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Year-to-Date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014		5
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Year-to-Date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014		6
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7
ITEM 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		41
ITEM 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		63
ITEM 4.	Controls and Procedures		63
	PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	Legal Proceedings		66
ITEM 1A.	Risk Factors		66
ITEM 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		67
ITEM 6.	Exhibits		67
Signature			68

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share data)

	(Unaudited) September 25, 2015			December 31, 2014
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	323		$	442
Billed receivables, net of allowances of $13 in 2015 and $14 in 2014		796			852
Contracts in process		2,483			2,295
Inventories		374			288
Deferred income taxes		129			127
Other current assets		190			186
Assets held for sale		—			547
Total current assets		4,295			4,737
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,108			1,088
Goodwill		7,112			7,501
Identifiable intangible assets		256			243
Deferred debt issue costs		22			27
Other assets		243			240
Total assets	$	13,036		$	13,836
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, trade	$	490		$	382
Accrued employment costs		562			510
Accrued expenses		369			402
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred		629			573
Income taxes		18			23
Other current liabilities		396			398
Liabilities held for sale		—			237
Total current liabilities		2,464			2,525
Pension and postretirement benefits		1,163			1,187
Deferred income taxes		407			443
Other liabilities		403			382
Long-term debt		3,940			3,939
Total liabilities		8,377			8,476
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 17)
Equity:
L-3 shareholders’ equity:
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.’s common stock: $.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized, 79,004,449 shares outstanding at September 25, 2015 and 82,040,525 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 (L-3 Communications Corporation’s common stock: $.01 par value, 100 shares authorized, issued and outstanding)		5,985			5,799
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.’s treasury stock (at cost), 78,177,799 shares at September 25, 2015 and 73,005,891 shares at December 31, 2014		(6,716	)		(6,111	)
Retained earnings		5,945			6,181
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(630	)		(584	)
Total L-3 shareholders’ equity		4,584			5,285
Noncontrolling interests		75			75
Total equity		4,659			5,360
Total liabilities and equity	$	13,036		$	13,836

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

	Third Quarter Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
Net sales:
Products	$	1,612		$	1,644
Services		1,205			1,296
Total net sales		2,817			2,940
Cost of sales:
Products		(1,417	)		(1,480	)
Services		(1,114	)		(1,203	)
Total cost of sales		(2,531	)		(2,683	)
Loss related to business divestitures		(9	)		—
Impairment charge		(491	)		—
Operating (loss) income		(214	)		257
Interest expense		(47	)		(47	)
Interest and other income, net		3			5
(Loss) income before income taxes		(258	)		215
Provision for income taxes		(38	)		(58	)
Net (loss) income	$	(296	)	$	157
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3	)		(3	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	154
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders:
Basic	$	(3.74	)	$	1.81
Diluted	$	(3.74	)	$	1.78
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	0.65		$	0.60
L-3 Holdings’ weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		80.0			85.1
Diluted		80.0			86.6

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

	Year-To-Date Ended
	September 25,          2015			September 26,          2014
Net sales:
Products	$	4,761		$	4,991
Services		3,562			3,925
Total net sales		8,323			8,916
Cost of sales:
Products		(4,335	)		(4,498	)
Services		(3,316	)		(3,636	)
Total cost of sales		(7,651	)		(8,134	)
Loss related to business divestitures		(29	)		—
Impairment charge		(491	)		—
Operating income		152			782
Interest expense		(139	)		(129	)
Interest and other income, net		11			14
Income before income taxes		24			667
Provision for income taxes		(87	)		(197	)
Net (loss) income	$	(63	)	$	470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(11	)		(9	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(74	)	$	461
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders:
Basic	$	(0.91	)	$	5.38
Diluted	$	(0.91	)	$	5.21
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	1.95		$	1.80
L-3 Holdings’ weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		81.5			85.7
Diluted		81.5			88.4

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25,          2015			September 26,          2014			September 25,          2015			September 26,          2014
Net (loss) income	$	(296	)	$	157		$	(63	)	$	470
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(55	)		(63	)		(84	)		(57	)
Unrealized losses on hedging instruments(1)		(7	)		(3	)		(3	)		—
Pension and postretirement benefit plans:
Amortization of net loss and prior service cost previously recognized(2)		10			2			32			7
Net gain arising during the period(3)		—			—			9			—
Total other comprehensive loss		(52	)		(64	)		(46	)		(50	)
Comprehensive (loss) income		(348	)		93			(109	)		420
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3	)		(3	)		(11	)		(9	)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(351	)	$	90		$	(120	)	$	411

⁽¹⁾  Amounts are net of income tax benefits of $3 million and $1 million for the quarterly periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014, respectively, and income tax benefits of $2 million for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

⁽²⁾  Amounts are net of income taxes of $7 million and $1 million for the quarterly periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014, respectively, and income taxes of $18 million and $4 million for the year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014, respectively.

⁽³⁾  Represents the reclassification of actuarial losses into net income related to the Marine Systems International business divestiture in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 715 Defined Benefit Plans — Pension. Amounts are net of income taxes of $5 million for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in millions, except per share data)

	L-3 Holdings’ Common Stock					Additional Paid-in Capital									Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Shares Outstanding			Par Value					Treasury Stock			Retained Earnings						Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
For the Year-to-Date Period Ended September 25, 2015:
Balance at December 31, 2014		82.0		$	1	$	5,798		$	(6,111	)	$	6,181		$	(584	)	$	75		$	5,360
Net (loss) income													(74	)					11			(63	)
Other comprehensive loss																(46	)					(46	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests																			(11	)		(11	)
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($1.95 per share)													(162	)								(162	)
Shares issued:
Employee savings plans		0.8					95															95
Exercise of stock options		0.6					65															65
Employee stock purchase plan		0.3					17															17
Vesting of restricted stock units		0.7																				—
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding		(0.2	)				(33	)														(33	)
Stock-based compensation expense							36															36
Treasury stock purchased		(5.2	)							(605	)											(605	)
Other							6															6
Balance at September 25, 2015		79.0		$	1	$	5,984		$	(6,716	)	$	5,945		$	(630	)	$	75		$	4,659
For the Year-to-Date Period Ended September 26, 2014:
Balance at December 31, 2013		85.8		$	1	$	5,652		$	(5,288	)	$	5,726		$	(110	)	$	75		$	6,056
Net income													461						9			470
Other comprehensive loss																(50	)					(50	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests																			(8	)		(8	)
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($1.80 per share)													(159	)								(159	)
Shares issued:
Employee savings plans		1.0					105															105
Exercise of stock options		1.1					102															102
Employee stock purchase plan		0.3					18															18
Vesting of restricted stock units		0.7																				—
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding		(0.2	)				(27	)														(27	)
Stock-based compensation expense							39															39
Treasury stock purchased		(3.6	)							(413	)											(413	)
Retirement of Convertible Contingent Debt Securities							(160	)														(160	)
Other							6															6
Balance at September 26, 2014		85.1		$	1	$	5,735		$	(5,701	)	$	6,028		$	(160	)	$	76		$	5,979

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25,          2015			September 26,          2014
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(63	)	$	470
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		129			127
Amortization of intangibles and other assets		35			38
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision		(21	)		91
Stock-based employee compensation expense		36			39
Excess income tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements		(24	)		(16	)
Contributions to employee savings plans in L-3 Holdings’ common stock		95			105
Impairment charge		491			—
Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit plans net loss and prior service cost		50			11
Amortization of bond discounts and deferred debt issue costs (included in interest expense)		6			5
Loss related to business divestitures		29			—
Other non-cash items		(4	)		(5	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding amounts from acquisitions and divestitures:
Billed receivables		48			118
Contracts in process		(165	)		(144	)
Inventories		(77	)		(11	)
Other assets		(13	)		—
Accounts payable, trade		121			(119	)
Accrued employment costs		47			26
Accrued expenses		(40	)		(57	)
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred		2			39
Income taxes		—			(4	)
Other current liabilities		(11	)		(40	)
Pension and postretirement benefits		(18	)		(40	)
All other operating activities		(22	)		(28	)
Net cash from operating activities		631			605
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(260	)		(57	)
Proceeds from the sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances		308			—
Capital expenditures		(140	)		(115	)
Dispositions of property, plant and equipment		2			4
Other investing activities		4			6
Net cash used in investing activities		(86	)		(162	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes		—			996
Retirement of CODES		—			(935	)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		861			1,367
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility		(861	)		(1,367	)
Common stock repurchased		(605	)		(413	)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings’ common stock		(163	)		(158	)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options		41			87
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan		26			27
Excess income tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements		24			16
Debt issue costs		—			(8	)
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding		(33	)		(27	)
Other financing activities		(1	)		(11	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(711	)		(426	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(14	)		(9	)
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale		61			—
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(119	)		8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		442			500
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	323		$	508

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Description of Business

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. derives all of its operating income and cash flows from its wholly-owned subsidiary, L-3 Communications Corporation (L-3 Communications). L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (L-3 Holdings and, together with its subsidiaries, referred to herein as L-3 or the Company) is a prime contractor in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, aircraft sustainment (including modifications, logistics and maintenance), simulation and training, night vision and image intensification equipment, enterprise and mission information technology (IT) solutions and cyber operations. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of communication and electronic systems and products used on military and commercial platforms. The Company’s customers include the United States (U.S.) Department of Defense (DoD) and its prime contractors, U.S. Government intelligence agencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), foreign governments, and domestic and international commercial customers.

The Company has the following four reportable segments: (1) Electronic Systems, (2) Aerospace Systems, (3) Communication Systems and (4) National Security Solutions (NSS). Electronic Systems provides a broad range of components, products, subsystems, systems and related services for military and commercial customers in several niche markets across several business areas. These business areas include precision engagement & training, sensor systems, power & propulsion systems, aviation products and security systems, warrior systems and advanced programs. Aerospace Systems delivers integrated solutions for the global ISR market and provides modernization, upgrade, sustainment, and maintenance and logistics support for a wide variety of aircraft and ground systems. Communication Systems delivers products and services for the global communications market, specializing in strategic and tactical airborne, space, ground and sea-based communication systems. NSS provides cybersecurity solutions, high-performance computing, enterprise IT services, analytics and intelligence analysis to the DoD, U.S. Government intelligence agencies, federal civilian agencies and foreign governments.

In April 2015, the Company realigned its Platform and Logistics Solutions sector within its Aerospace Systems segment to enhance the operational effectiveness and competitiveness of its platform systems business. The platform systems business was integrated within the ISR Systems sector and the new integrated organization was renamed the ISR and Aircraft Systems sector. The Logistics Solutions sector remains a separate sector within the Aerospace Systems segment. This realignment did not impact the composition of the Company’s reporting units.

Financial information with respect to the Company’s segments is included in Note 21 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and in Note 22 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

2.  Basis of Presentation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications included in their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Principles of Consolidation and Reporting

The accompanying financial statements comprise the consolidated financial statements of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications. L-3 Holdings’ only asset is its investment in the common stock of L-3 Communications,

7

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

its wholly-owned subsidiary, and its only obligations are: (1) its guarantee of borrowings under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (Credit Facility) of L-3 Communications and (2) its guarantee of other contractual obligations of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries. All issuances of and conversions into L-3 Holdings’ equity securities, including grants of stock options, restricted stock units and performance units by L-3 Holdings to employees and directors of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries, have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements of L-3 Communications. As a result, the consolidated financial positions, results of operations and cash flows of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications are substantially the same. See Note 23 for additional information regarding the unaudited financial information of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for a complete set of annual audited financial statements. The December 31, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

It is the Company’s established practice to close its books for the quarters ending March, June and September on the Friday preceding the end of the calendar quarter. The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared and are labeled based on that convention. The Company closes its books for annual periods on December 31 regardless of what day it falls on.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior-year amounts to the current-year presentation.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and costs of sales during the reporting period. The most significant of these estimates and assumptions for L-3 relate to contract revenue, profit and loss recognition, fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, market values for inventories reported at lower of cost or market, pension and post-retirement benefit obligations, stock-based employee compensation expense, income taxes, including the valuation of deferred tax assets, litigation reserves and environmental obligations, accrued product warranty costs, and the recoverability, useful lives and valuation of recorded amounts of long-lived assets, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Changes in estimates are reflected in the periods during which they become known. Actual amounts will differ from these estimates and could differ materially.

Sales and profits on contracts that are covered by accounting standards for construction-type and production-type contracts and federal government contractors are recognized using percentage-of-completion (POC) methods of accounting. Approximately 46% of the Company’s net sales in 2014 were accounted for under contract accounting standards, of which approximately 40% were fixed-price type contracts and approximately

8

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

6% were cost-plus type contracts. For contracts that are accounted for under contract accounting standards, sales and profits are recognized based on: (1) a POC method of accounting (fixed-price contracts), (2) allowable costs incurred plus the estimated profit on those costs (cost-plus contracts), or (3) direct labor hours expended multiplied by the contractual fixed rate per hour plus incurred costs for material (time-and-material contracts). Sales and profits on fixed-price production contracts under which units are produced and delivered in a continuous or sequential process are recorded as units are delivered based on their contractual selling prices (the “units-of-delivery” method). Sales and profits on each fixed-price production contract under which units are not produced and delivered in a continuous or sequential process, or under which a relatively few number of units are produced, are recorded based on the ratio of actual cumulative costs incurred to total estimated costs at completion of the contract, multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue, less cumulative sales recognized in prior periods (the “cost-to-cost” method). Under both POC methods of accounting, a single estimated total profit margin is used to recognize profit for each contract over its entire period of performance, which can exceed one year.

Accounting for the sales and profit on these fixed-price type contracts requires the preparation of estimates of: (1) the total contract revenue, (2) the total costs at completion, which is equal to the sum of the actual incurred costs to date on the contract and the estimated costs to complete the contract’s statement of work, and (3) the measurement of progress towards completion. The estimated profit or loss at completion on a contract is equal to the difference between the total estimated contract revenue and the total estimated cost at completion. The profit recorded on a contract in any period using either the units-of-delivery method or cost-to-cost method is equal to the current estimated total profit margin multiplied by the cumulative sales recognized, less the amount of cumulative profit previously recorded for the contract.

Sales and profits on cost-plus type contracts that are covered by contract accounting standards are recognized as allowable costs are incurred on the contract, at an amount equal to the allowable costs plus the estimated profit on those costs. The estimated profit on a cost-plus type contract is fixed or variable based on the contractual fee arrangement. Incentive and award fees are the primary variable fee contractual arrangement types for the Company. Incentive and award fees on cost-plus type contracts are included as an element of total estimated contract revenues and are recorded as sales when a basis exists for the reasonable prediction of performance in relation to established contractual targets and the Company is able to make reasonably dependable estimates for them.

Sales and profits on time-and-material type contracts are recognized on the basis of direct labor hours expended multiplied by the contractual fixed rate per hour, plus the actual costs of materials and other direct non-labor costs.

Revisions or adjustments to estimates for a contract’s revenue, estimated costs at completion and estimated profit or loss are often required as work progresses under a contract, as experience is gained, as facts and circumstances change and as new information is obtained, even though the scope of work required under the contract may not change. Revisions or adjustments may also be required if contract modifications occur. The impact of revisions in profit (loss) estimates for all types of contracts subject to POC accounting are recognized on a cumulative catch-up basis in the period in which the revisions are made. The revisions in contract estimates, if significant, can materially affect the Company’s results of operations and cash flows, as well as reduce the valuations of receivables and inventories, and in some cases result in liabilities to complete contracts in a loss position. Aggregate net changes in contract estimates amounted to increases of $52 million, or 34% of consolidated operating income (8% of segment operating income) for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, and increases of $71 million, or 9% of consolidated operating income for the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014.

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L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

For a more complete discussion of these estimates and assumptions, see the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

3.  Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-11, to simplify the measurement of inventory. This update requires that inventory measured at first in, first out or average cost be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-3, to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This update requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability, consistent with the required presentation for debt discounts. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard will change the Company’s current practice of presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and will result in a reduction of total assets and total liabilities in an amount equal to the balance of unamortized debt issuance costs at each balance sheet date. The Company has not elected to early adopt this standard and debt issuance costs amounted to $22 million at September 25, 2015 and $27 million at December 31, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers and significantly expand the disclosure requirements for revenue arrangements. The new standard, as amended, will be effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018, with early application permitted beginning on January 1, 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and the transition alternatives available. As the new standard will supersede substantially all existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition on substantially all of the Company’s contracts, in addition to the Company’s business processes and information technology systems. As a result, the Company’s evaluation of the impact of the standard will extend over future periods.

Other accounting standard updates effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 are not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

4.  Acquisitions and Divestitures

Business Acquisitions

The business acquisitions discussed below are included in the Company’s results of operations from their respective dates of acquisition.

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L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

2015 Business Acquisitions

CTC Aviation Group Acquisition. On May 27, 2015, the Company acquired CTC Aviation Group, renamed L-3 CTC Ltd. (L-3 CTC), for a purchase price of £153 million (approximately $236 million), which was financed with cash on hand. L-3 CTC is a global airline pilot training and crew resourcing specialist, based in the United Kingdom, which offers customized and innovative solutions to major airlines and flight training customers globally. This acquisition expands L-3’s commercial aviation training business, which also includes L-3 Link UK, a provider of world-class flight training simulation devices, aftermarket solutions and training, to encompass a growing portfolio of airline and third-party training company customers. The aggregate goodwill recognized for this business was $177 million, which was assigned to the Electronic Systems reportable segment, and is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The final purchase price allocation, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015, will be based on final appraisals and other analysis of fair values of acquired assets and liabilities. The Company does not expect that differences between the preliminary and final purchase price allocations will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.

MITEQ, Inc. Acquisition. On January 21, 2015, the Company acquired the assets of MITEQ, Inc. (Miteq) for a purchase price of $41 million, which was financed with cash on hand. The purchase price and purchase price allocation of Miteq was finalized as of September 25, 2015, with no significant changes to preliminary amounts. Miteq was combined with the Company’s Narda Microwave-East business and the new organization was re-named L-3 Narda-Miteq. Miteq offers a broad product line of active and passive radio frequency (RF) microwave components and low-power satellite communications (SATCOM) products for space and military applications that complement the existing Narda Microwave East product line. The combined L-3 Narda-Miteq business will provide products for the DoD, other U.S. Government agencies, prime contractors and commercial customers. The aggregate goodwill recognized for this business was $11 million, of which $4 million is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill was assigned to the Communication Systems reportable segment.

2014 Business Acquisition

Data Tactics Corporation Acquisition. On March 4, 2014, the Company acquired Data Tactics Corporation, renamed L-3 Data Tactics, for a purchase price of $57 million, which was financed with cash on hand. The purchase price and purchase price allocation for L-3 Data Tactics was finalized as of December 31, 2014, with no significant changes to preliminary amounts. L-3 Data Tactics is a specialized provider of large-scale data analytics, cybersecurity and cloud computing solution services, primarily to the DoD. Based on the final purchase price allocation, the aggregate goodwill recognized for this business was $39 million, substantially all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill was assigned to the NSS reportable segment.

Business Acquisitions Completed After September 25, 2015

ForceX, Inc. Acquisition. On October 13, 2015, the Company acquired ForceX, Inc., renamed L-3 ForceX, for a purchase price of $60 million (subject to customary adjustments for final working capital), which was financed with cash on hand. L-3 ForceX will be incorporated into the Company’s Sensor Systems sector within the Electronic Systems business segment. L-3 ForceX is an industry leader specializing in ISR mission management software and geospatial application technology programs, offering an array of advanced products, including cueing system software, hardware and video algorithms, and wide-area sensor integration solutions and software. L-3 ForceX’s proprietary processing, exploitation and dissemination capability provides an integrated

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

tactical operational picture, allowing users to make critical decisions in real time. L-3 ForceX also provides training courseware, materials and turnkey classroom training solutions for its customers and currently supports several key DoD ISR initiatives and classified programs. L-3 ForceX’s customer base includes the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, the Naval Surface Warfare Center and a variety of DoD agencies.

Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Operations Data

The following unaudited pro forma Statements of Operations data present the combined results of the Company and its business acquisitions completed during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, in each case assuming that the business acquisitions completed during these periods had occurred on January 1, 2014.

	Third Quarter Ended					Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions, except per share data)
Pro forma net sales	$	2,817		$	2,973	$	8,357		$	9,021
Pro forma net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	156	$	(71	)	$	466
Pro forma diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(3.74	)	$	1.80	$	(0.87	)	$	5.27

The unaudited pro forma results disclosed in the table above are based on various assumptions and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the Company completed these acquisitions on January 1, 2014.

Business Divestitures

During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, the Company completed the sales of Marine Systems International (MSI), Broadcast Sports Inc. (BSI) and the Tinsley Product Line. The adjustments recorded by the Company related to the business divestitures are included in the loss related to business divestitures caption on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and are summarized and further discussed below.

	Third Quarter Ended			Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 25, 2015
	(in millions)
Loss on Tinsley Product Line divestiture	$	(8	)	$	(8	)
Loss on BSI divestiture		(1	)		(4	)
Gain on MSI divestiture		—			4
Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale		—			(17	)
Loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from MSI divestiture		—			(4	)
Total loss related to the business divestitures	$	(9	)	$	(29	)

MSI Divestiture. On May 29, 2015, the Company completed the sale of its MSI business to Wärtsilä Corporation for a preliminary purchase price of €295 million (approximately $318 million), in addition to the assumption by Wärtsilä Corporation of approximately €60 million of MSI employee pension-related liabilities.

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L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The purchase price is subject to finalization based on customary adjustments for closing date net working capital. MSI was a sector within the Company’s Electronic Systems segment, primarily selling to the commercial shipbuilding industry. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, MSI’s assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale in the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and MSI’s results of operations are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented. During the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015, the Company recorded a realized pre-tax gain of $4 million ($8 million after income tax benefits), based on the total estimated proceeds from the sale.

The accounting standards for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale require the Company to measure assets and liabilities of a disposal group, classified as held for sale, at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, at the end of each reporting period. As a result of the decline in the estimated U.S. dollar equivalent divestiture proceeds due to the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, the carrying value of the MSI disposal group exceeded its fair value at March 27, 2015. Accordingly, a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $17 million ($12 million after income taxes) was recorded during the quarterly period ended March 27, 2015.

In March 2015, L-3 entered into a forward contract to sell €285 million of the proceeds obtained from the divestiture of MSI at a rate of $1.0782. The Company accounted for this contract as an economic hedge and recorded a mark to market adjustment to earnings based on the fair value of the forward contract at March 27, 2015. Accordingly, the Company recorded an unrealized pre-tax loss of $5 million ($3 million after income taxes) during the quarterly period ended March 27, 2015. On May 29, 2015, upon settlement of the contract, the Company realized $4 million of the $5 million previously recorded pre-tax loss and recorded a $1 million pre-tax gain ($1 million after income taxes) in the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015.

13

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The major classes of assets and liabilities included as held for sale related to MSI are presented in the table below.

	December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	61
Billed receivables, net of allowances of $6		77
Contracts in process		70
Inventories		70
Other current assets		10
Total current assets		288
Goodwill		231
Other assets		28
Total assets classified as held for sale	$	547
Liabilities
Accounts payable, trade	$	31
Accrued employment costs		22
Accrued expenses		33
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred		55
Other current liabilities		21
Total current liabilities		162
Pension and postretirement benefits		56
Other liabilities		19
Total liabilities classified as held for sale	$	237

BSI Divestiture. On April 24, 2015, the Company divested its BSI business for a sales price of $26 million. BSI is a provider of wireless technology and communications systems services for use in the field of sports television broadcasting, and was included in the Sensor Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The divestiture resulted in a pre-tax loss of $4 million ($6 million after income taxes) during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, BSI’s assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, and results of operations for all periods presented are classified as held and used in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Tinsley Product Line Divestiture. On July 27, 2015, the Company divested its Tinsley Product Line for a sales price of $4 million. Tinsley is a provider of optical components, sub-assemblies and passive sub-systems and was included in the Sensor Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The divestiture resulted in a pre-tax loss of $8 million ($6 million after income taxes) during the quarterly period ended September 25, 2015. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, Tinsley’s assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, and results of operations for all periods presented are classified as held and used in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Net sales and income before income taxes for MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line, included in L-3’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, are presented in the table below on an aggregate basis, and are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Net sales	$	1	$	126	$	201	$	420
Income before income taxes	$	1	$	3	$	2	$	13

5.  Contracts in Process

The components of contracts in process are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Unbilled contract receivables, gross	$	2,626		$	2,280
Unliquidated progress payments		(1,057	)		(887	)
Unbilled contract receivables, net		1,569			1,393
Inventoried contract costs, gross		1,033			997
Unliquidated progress payments		(119	)		(95	)
Inventoried contract costs, net		914			902
Total contracts in process	$	2,483		$	2,295

Inventoried Contract Costs. In accordance with contract accounting standards, the Company’s U.S. Government contractor businesses account for the portion of their general and administrative (G&A), independent research and development (IRAD) and bids and proposal (B&P) costs that are allowable and reimbursable indirect contract costs under U.S. Government procurement regulations on their U.S. Government contracts (revenue arrangements) as inventoried contract costs. G&A, IRAD and B&P costs are allocated to contracts for which the U.S. Government is the end customer and are charged to costs of sales when sales on the related contracts are recognized. The Company’s U.S. Government contractor businesses record the unallowable portion of their G&A, IRAD and B&P costs to expense as incurred, and do not include them in inventoried contract costs.

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L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The table below presents a summary of G&A, IRAD and B&P costs included in inventoried contract costs and the changes to them, including amounts charged to cost of sales by the Company’s U.S. Government contractor businesses for the periods presented.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at beginning of the period	$	149		$	146		$	138		$	133
Contract costs incurred:
IRAD and B&P		70			70			210			213
Other G&A		219			230			640			645
Total		289			300			850			858
Amounts charged to cost of sales		(269	)		(300	)		(819	)		(845	)
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at end of the period	$	169		$	146		$	169		$	146

The table below presents a summary of selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses for the Company’s commercial businesses, which are expensed as incurred and included in cost of sales on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date  Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	53	$	72	$	198	$	225
Research and development expenses		13		15		40		51
Total	$	66	$	87	$	238	$	276

6.  Inventories

Inventories at Lower of Cost or Market. The table below presents the components of inventories at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out or average cost) or realizable value.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Raw materials, components and sub-assemblies	$	188	$	127
Work in process		114		97
Finished goods		72		64
Total	$	374	$	288

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L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

7.  Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill. In accordance with the accounting standards for business combinations, the Company records the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition (commonly referred to as the purchase price allocation). The table below presents the changes in goodwill by segment for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

	Electronic Systems			Aerospace Systems			Communication Systems		NSS			Consolidated Total
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,773		$	1,730		$	992	$	1,006		$	7,501
Business acquisitions(1)		177			—			11		—			188
Business divestitures(2)		(12	)		—			—		—			(12	)
Impairment loss		—			—			—		(491	)		(491	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments(3)		(43	)		(31	)		—		—			(74	)
Balance at September 25, 2015	$	3,895		$	1,699		$	1,003	$	515		$	7,112

⁽¹⁾  The increase in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the L-3 CTC business acquisition. The increase in goodwill for the Communication Systems segment was due to the Miteq business acquisition.

⁽²⁾  The decrease in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the divestitures of BSI and the Tinsley Product Line.

⁽³⁾  The decrease in goodwill presented in the Electronic Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Euro and the Australian dollar during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015. The decrease in goodwill presented in the Aerospace Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

As previously disclosed on October 29, 2015, the Company continues to evaluate strategic alternatives for NSS. These strategic alternatives could include, among other possibilities, a potential sale, spin-off or other divestiture transactions for the business. During the quarterly period ended September 25, 2015, a decline in the projected future cash flows of NSS indicated that the carrying amount of the goodwill for the NSS business may not be recoverable. As such, the Company performed the first step of the impairment test for the NSS business. The first step of the impairment test indicated that a portion of the $1,006 million of goodwill for the NSS business may not be recoverable. The Company performed the second step of the impairment test in accordance with the accounting standards for goodwill to measure the impairment loss and determined that the implied goodwill was $491 million lower than the carrying amount. Accordingly, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $491 million ($463 million after income taxes) for the impairment of goodwill. The goodwill impairment charge was due to a decline in the estimated fair value of the NSS business as a result of a decline in the projected future cash flows of NSS caused by NSS’s inability to achieve its planned 2015 orders, sales and operating income, primarily due to lower than expected new commercial and international business awards, and a reduced outlook for operating margin and international sales. The Company’s accumulated goodwill impairment losses were $549 million at September 25, 2015, of which $491 million, $43 million and $15 million were recorded in the NSS, Electronic Systems and Communication Systems segments, respectively.

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Identifiable Intangible Assets. The table below presents information for the Company’s identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization.

			September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Weighted Average Amortization Period		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	(in years)		(in millions)
Customer contractual relationships		19	$	461	$	283	$	178	$	440	$	262	$	178
Technology		11		186		118		68		165		111		54
Other		18		27		17		10		27		16		11
Total		17	$	674	$	418	$	256	$	632	$	389	$	243

The table below presents amortization expense recorded by the Company for its identifiable intangible assets.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date  Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Amortization Expense	$	10	$	11	$	29	$	32

Based on gross carrying amounts at September 25, 2015, the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2015 through 2019 is presented in the table below.

	Year Ending December 31,
	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
	(in millions)
Estimated amortization expense	$	38	$	38	$	35	$	30	$	27

8.  Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities

The table below presents the components of other current liabilities.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Other Current Liabilities:
Accruals for pending and threatened litigation (see Note 17)	$	45	$	38
Estimated costs in excess of estimated contract value to complete contracts in process in a loss position		79		75
Accrued product warranty costs		59		59
Accrued interest		52		46
Deferred revenues		29		30
Other		132		150
Total other current liabilities	$	396	$	398

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The table below presents the components of other liabilities.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Other Liabilities:
Non-current income taxes payable (see Note 10)	$	193	$	196
Deferred compensation		45		43
Accrued workers’ compensation		35		38
Accrued product warranty costs		34		34
Notes payable and capital lease obligations		9		1
Other		87		70
Total other liabilities	$	403	$	382

The table below presents the changes in the Company’s accrued product warranty costs.

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Accrued product warranty costs:(1)
Balance at January 1	$	93		$	99
Acquisitions during the period		1			—
Accruals for product warranties issued during the period		46			53
Settlements made during the period		(46	)		(46	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(1	)		(1	)
Balance at end of period	$	93		$	105

⁽¹⁾  Warranty obligations incurred in connection with long-term production contracts that are accounted for under the POC cost-to-cost method are included within the contract estimates at completion and are excluded from the above amounts. The balances above include both the current and non-current amounts.

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

9.  Debt

The components of long-term debt and a reconciliation to the carrying amount of long-term debt are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
L-3 Communications:
Borrowings under Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility(1)	$	—		$	—
3.95% Senior Notes due 2016		500			500
1.50% Senior Notes due 2017		350			350
5.20% Senior Notes due 2019		1,000			1,000
4.75% Senior Notes due 2020		800			800
4.95% Senior Notes due 2021		650			650
3.95% Senior Notes due 2024		650			650
Principal amount of long-term debt		3,950			3,950
Unamortized discounts		(10	)		(11	)
Carrying amount of long-term debt	$	3,940		$	3,939

⁽¹⁾  During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, L-3 Communications’ aggregate borrowings and repayments under the Credit Facility were each $861 million. At September 25, 2015, L-3 Communications had the full availability of its $1 billion Credit Facility, which expires on February 3, 2017.

10.  Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. As of September 25, 2015, the statutes of limitations for the Company’s U.S. Federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2010 through 2014 were open. In the second quarter of 2015, the Company reached agreements relating to the audit of the Company’s 2010 and 2011 U.S. Federal income tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as well as audits of several state and foreign jurisdictions. As a result of these agreements, the Company reversed previously accrued income tax expense of $10 million, including interest and penalties. The IRS commenced an audit of the Company’s U.S. Federal income tax return for 2012. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the audit at this time.

The effective income tax rate for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 is not meaningful because income tax expense was greater than pre-tax income during the period due to the goodwill impairment charge. The marginal income tax rate on the goodwill impairment charge relating to the NSS segment was 6% because a significant portion of the NSS goodwill is not deductible for tax. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge and related income tax benefit, the effective income tax rate for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 would have decreased to 22.3%, compared to 29.5% for the same period last year primarily due to $36 million of tax benefits recorded in the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015, including: (1) $17 million of foreign tax benefits related to a legal restructuring of the Company’s foreign entities, (2) a $10 million benefit related to the resolution of various outstanding income tax matters with U.S. and foreign tax authorities, as discussed above, and (3) $9 million related to deferred tax benefits. As of September 25, 2015, the Company anticipates that unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $25 million over the next 12 months due to the potential resolution of unrecognized tax benefits involving several jurisdictions and tax periods. The actual amount of the decrease over the next 12 months could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements.

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L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Non-current income taxes payable include accrued potential interest of $18 million ($11 million after income taxes) at September 25, 2015 and $15 million ($9 million after income taxes) at December 31, 2014, and potential penalties of $9 million at September 25, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

11.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (AOCI)

The changes in the AOCI balances, including amounts reclassified from AOCI into net income, are presented in the table below.

	Foreign currency translation			Unrealized (losses) gains on hedging instruments			Unrecognized losses and prior service cost, net			Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	19		$	(5	)	$	(598	)	$	(584	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(125	)		(13	)		—			(138	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		41			10			41			92
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income		(84	)		(3	)		41			(46	)
Balance at September 25, 2015	$	(65	)	$	(8	)	$	(557	)	$	(630	)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	142		$	1		$	(253	)	$	(110	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(57	)		(5	)		—			(62	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			5			7			12
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income		(57	)		—			7			(50	)
Balance at September 26, 2014	$	85		$	1		$	(246	)	$	(160	)

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Further details regarding the amounts reclassified from AOCI into net income are presented in the table below.

	Amount Reclassified from AOCI(a)												Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
Details About AOCI Components	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustment:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(41	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
		—			—			(41	)		—		Income before income taxes
		—			—			—			—		Provision for income taxes
	$	—		$	—		$	(41	)	$	—		Net income
(Losses) gains on hedging instruments:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(2	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
Other		(4	)		1			(10	)		(6	)	Cost of sales-products
		(4	)		1			(12	)		(6	)	Income before income taxes
		—			(1	)		2			1		Provision for income taxes
	$	(4	)	$	—		$	(10	)	$	(5	)	Net income
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(14	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
Net loss		(17	)		(3	)		(50	)		(11	)	(b)
		(17	)		(3	)		(64	)		(11	)	Income before income taxes
		7			1			23			4		Provision for income taxes
	$	(10	)	$	(2	)	$	(41	)	$	(7	)	Net income
Total reclassification for the period	$	(14	)	$	(2	)	$	(92	)	$	(12	)	Net income

^(a)  Amounts in parenthesis indicate charges to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

^(b)  Amounts related to pension and postretirement benefit plans were reclassified from AOCI and recorded as a component of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 18 for additional information).

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

12.  Equity

On February 5, 2013, L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes L-3 Holdings to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its common stock through June 30, 2015. On December 4, 2014, L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program that authorizes L-3 Holdings to repurchase up to an additional $1.5 billion of its common stock through June 30, 2017. Repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock are made from time to time at management’s discretion in accordance with applicable U.S. Federal securities laws. The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s financial position, earnings, legal requirements, other investment opportunities (including acquisitions) and market conditions. L-3 Holdings repurchased 5,171,908 shares of its common stock at an average price of $117.01 per share for an aggregate amount of $605 million from January 1, 2015 through September 25, 2015. All share repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock have been recorded as treasury shares.

At September 25, 2015, the remaining dollar value under share repurchase programs authorized by L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors was $940 million.

From September 26, 2015 through October 23, 2015, L-3 Holdings repurchased 702,650 shares of its common stock at an average price of $106.70 per share for an aggregate amount of $75 million.

On June 10, 2015, L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.65 per share, paid on September 15, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2015. During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, the Company paid $163 million of cash dividends, including a $1 million net reduction of accrued dividends for employee held stock awards.

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

13.  L-3 Holdings’ Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) is presented in the table below.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions, except per share data)
Reconciliation of net (loss) income:
Net (loss) income	$	(296	)	$	157		$	(63	)	$	470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3	)		(3	)		(11	)		(9	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders	$	(299	)	$	154		$	(74	)	$	461
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders:
Basic:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			85.1			81.5			85.7
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$	(3.74	)	$	1.81		$	(0.91	)	$	5.38
Diluted:
Common and potential common shares(1):
Weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			85.1			81.5			85.7
Assumed exercise of stock options		—			2.8			—			3.0
Unvested restricted stock awards		—			1.5			—			1.6
Employee stock purchase plan contributions		—			—			—			0.1
Performance unit awards		—			0.1			—			0.1
Assumed purchase of common shares for treasury		—			(2.9	)		—			(3.2	)
Assumed conversion of the CODES(2)		—			—			—			1.1
Common and potential common shares		80.0			86.6			81.5			88.4
Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$	(3.74	)	$	1.78		$	(0.91	)	$	5.21

⁽¹⁾  Due to a loss for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015, zero incremental weighted average potential common shares are included because the effect would be antidilutive.

⁽²⁾  L-3 Holdings’ 3% Convertible Contingent Debt Securities (CODES) due 2035 were retired on June 20, 2014, and were dilutive for the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014 as the average market price of L-3 Holdings’ common stock during the period that the CODES were outstanding was greater than the price at which the CODES would have been convertible into L-3 Holdings’ common stock. As of June 18, 2014, the final date of conversion, the conversion price was $88.71.

The computation of diluted EPS excludes shares for stock options, restricted stock awards, employee stock plan contributions and performance unit awards of 4.5 million for each of the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015, and shares for stock options and employee stock purchase plan contributions of 0.6 million and 0.5 million for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 26, 2014, respectively, as they were anti-dilutive.

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

14.  Fair Value Measurements

L-3 applies the accounting standards for fair value measurements to all of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants. The standards establish a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to observable inputs and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy level for each of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

	September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
Description	Level 1(1)		Level 2(2)		Level 3(3)		Level 1(1)		Level 2(2)		Level 3(3)
	(in millions)
Assets
Cash equivalents	$	182	$	—	$	—	$	416	$	—	$	—
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)		—		2		—		—		5		—
Total assets	$	182	$	2	$	—	$	416	$	5	$	—
Liabilities
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)	$	—	$	15	$	—	$	—	$	11	$	—

⁽¹⁾  Level 1 is based on quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Cash equivalents are primarily held in registered money market funds, which are valued using quoted market prices.

⁽²⁾  Level 2 is based on pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable. The fair value is determined using a valuation model based on observable market inputs, including quoted foreign currency forward exchange rates and consideration of non-performance risk.

⁽³⁾  Level 3 is based on pricing inputs that are not observable and not corroborated by market data. The Company has no Level 3 assets or liabilities.

15.  Financial Instruments

At September 25, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s financial instruments consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents, billed receivables, trade accounts payable, Senior Notes and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, billed receivables and trade accounts payable are representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term maturities or the expected settlement dates of these instruments. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value
	(in millions)
Senior Notes(1)	$	3,940		$	4,068		$	3,939		$	4,178
Foreign currency forward contracts(2)	$	(13	)	$	(13	)	$	(6	)	$	(6	)

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

⁽¹⁾  The Company measures the fair value of its Senior Notes using Level 2 inputs based primarily on current market yields for its existing debt traded in the secondary market.

⁽²⁾  The Company measures the fair values of foreign currency forward contracts based on forward exchange rates. See Note 16 for additional disclosures regarding the notional amounts and fair values of foreign currency forward contracts.

16.  Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company’s derivative financial instruments include foreign currency forward contracts, which are entered into for risk management purposes.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. The Company’s U.S. and foreign businesses enter into contracts with customers, subcontractors or vendors that are denominated in currencies other than their functional currencies. To protect the functional currency equivalent cash flows associated with certain of these contracts, the Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts. The Company’s activities involving foreign currency forward contracts are designed to hedge the changes in the functional currency equivalent cash flows due to movements in foreign exchange rates compared to the functional currency. The foreign currencies hedged are primarily the Canadian dollar, the U.S. dollar, the Euro and the British pound. The Company manages exposure to counterparty non-performance credit risk by entering into foreign currency forward contracts only with major financial institutions that are expected to fully perform under the terms of such contracts. Foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value and are generally designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with the accounting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Gains and losses on designated foreign currency forward contracts that are highly effective in offsetting the corresponding change in the cash flows of the hedged transactions are recorded net of income taxes in AOCI and then recognized in income when the underlying hedged transaction affects income. Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts that do not meet hedge accounting criteria are recognized in income immediately. Notional amounts are used to measure the volume of foreign currency forward contracts and do not represent exposure to foreign currency losses. The table below presents the notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward contracts by currency at September 25, 2015.

Currency	Notional Amounts
	(in millions)
Canadian dollar	$	141
U.S. dollar		94
Euro		21
British pound		2
Total	$	258

At September 25, 2015, the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts had maturities through 2018.

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The table below presents the location of the Company’s derivative instruments recorded at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

	September 25, 2015								December 31, 2014
	Other Current Assets		Other Assets		Other Current Liabilities		Other Liabilities		Other Current Assets		Other Assets		Other Current Liabilities		Other Liabilities
	(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts(1)(2)	$	1	$	1	$	13	$	2	$	4	$	1	$	10	$	1
Total derivative instruments	$	1	$	1	$	13	$	2	$	4	$	1	$	10	$	1

⁽¹⁾  See Note 14 for a description of the fair value hierarchy related to the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts.

⁽²⁾  Assets held for sale at December 31, 2014 include $2 million, of other current assets relating to the fair value of derivative instruments, and liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2014 include $2 million of other current liabilities relating to the fair value of derivative instruments.

The effect of gains or losses from foreign currency forward contracts was not material to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the quarterly or year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014. At September 25, 2015, the estimated net amount of existing losses that are expected to be reclassified into income within the next 12 months is $10 million.

17.  Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees

In connection with the spin-off of Engility Holdings, Inc. (Engility) in 2012, L-3 entered into a Distribution Agreement and several other agreements that govern certain aspects of L-3’s relationship with Engility, including employee matters, tax matters, transition services, and the future supplier/customer relationship between L-3 and Engility. These agreements generally provide cross-indemnities that, except as otherwise provided, are principally designed to place the financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of each entity with that respective entity. Engility has joint and several liability with L-3 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the consolidated U.S. Federal income taxes of L-3’s consolidated group for taxable periods in which Engility was a part of that group. However, the Tax Matters Agreement specifies the portion of this tax liability for which L-3 and Engility will each bear responsibility, and L-3 and Engility have agreed to indemnify each other against any amounts for which the other is not responsible. The Tax Matters Agreement also allocates responsibility between L-3 and Engility for other taxes, including special rules for allocating tax liabilities in the event that the spin-off is determined not to be tax-free. Though valid as between the parties, the Tax Matters Agreement is not binding on the IRS.

The Company had two existing real estate lease agreements, which included residual guarantee amounts, were due to expire on August 31, 2015 and were accounted for as operating leases. Before the lease expiration date, the Company exercised an option to renew the leases for another five years, with similar lease terms, except the aggregate residual guarantee amount increased by $17 million to $40 million, reflecting the appreciation of the estimated fair value of the leased properties. The Company received $17 million in cash from

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

the lessor at the inception of the new leases, which is included in cash flows from financing activities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, and recorded a deferred gain in other liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 25, 2015.

Procurement Regulations

A substantial majority of the Company’s revenues are generated from providing products and services under legally binding agreements or contracts with U.S. Government and foreign government customers. U.S. Government contracts are subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements, and, from time to time, agencies of the U.S. Government investigate whether such contracts were and are being conducted in accordance with these requirements. The Company is currently cooperating with the U.S. Government on several investigations from which civil, criminal or administrative proceedings have or could result and give rise to fines, penalties, compensatory and treble damages, restitution and/or forfeitures. In that regard, as of September 25, 2015, the Company has recognized an aggregate liability of $26 million in anticipation of a settlement related to a product specification matter regarding a holographic weapon sight product in the Warrior Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The Company has other ongoing government investigations, including investigations into the pricing of certain contracts entered into by the Communication Systems segment. The Company does not currently anticipate that any of these investigations will have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, under U.S. Government regulations, an indictment of the Company by a federal grand jury, or an administrative finding against the Company as to its present responsibility to be a U.S. Government contractor or subcontractor, could result in the Company being suspended for a period of time from eligibility for awards of new government contracts or task orders or in a loss of export privileges. A conviction, or an administrative finding against the Company that satisfies the requisite level of seriousness, could result in debarment from contracting with the federal government for a specified term. In addition, all of the Company’s U.S. Government contracts: (1) are subject to audit and various pricing and cost controls, (2) include standard provisions for termination for the convenience of the U.S. Government or for default, and (3) are subject to cancellation if funds for contracts become unavailable. Foreign government contracts generally include comparable provisions relating to terminations for convenience or default, as well as other procurement clauses relevant to the foreign government.

Litigation Matters

The Company is also subject to litigation, proceedings, claims or assessments and various contingent liabilities incidental to its businesses, including those specified below. Furthermore, in connection with certain business acquisitions, the Company has assumed some or all claims against, and liabilities of, such acquired businesses, including both asserted and unasserted claims and liabilities.

In accordance with the accounting standard for contingencies, the Company records a liability when management believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. Generally, the loss is recorded at the amount the Company expects to resolve the liability. The estimated amounts of liabilities recorded for pending and threatened litigation are disclosed in Note 8. Amounts recoverable from insurance contracts or third parties are recorded as assets when deemed probable. At September 25, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company recorded approximately $11 million of receivables for recoveries from insurance contracts or third parties in connection with the Bashkirian Airways matter discussed below. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred. The Company believes it has recorded adequate provisions for its litigation matters. The Company reviews these provisions quarterly and adjusts these

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

provisions to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. While it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome may occur in one or more of the following matters, unless otherwise stated below, the Company believes that it is not probable that a loss has been incurred in any of these matters. With respect to the litigation matters below for which it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome may occur, an estimate of loss or range of loss is disclosed when such amount or amounts can be reasonably estimated. Although the Company believes that it has valid defenses with respect to legal matters and investigations pending against it, the results of litigation can be difficult to predict, particularly those involving jury trials. Accordingly, the Company’s current judgment as to the likelihood of loss (or our current estimate as to the potential range of loss, if any) with respect to any particular litigation matter may turn out to be wrong. Therefore, it is possible that the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company could be materially adversely affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these or other contingencies.

Class Action. In August 2014, three separate, putative class actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the District Court) against the Company and certain of its officers. These cases were consolidated into a single action on October 24, 2014. A consolidated amended complaint was filed in the District Court on December 22, 2014, which was further amended and restated on March 13, 2015. The complaint alleges violations of federal securities laws related to misconduct and accounting errors identified by the Company at its Aerospace Systems segment, and seeks monetary damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and fees and expenses. The Company believes the action lacks merit and intends to defend itself vigorously. On April 24, 2015, the Company moved to dismiss the amended and restated complaint. The motion has been fully briefed. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate any amount or range of loss, if any, that may be incurred in connection with this matter because the proceedings are in their early stages.

Government Inquiries. On July 30, 2014, the Company voluntarily contacted the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to report information concerning its internal review related to misconduct and accounting errors identified by the Company at its Aerospace Systems segment. The Company has received requests for interviews of current and former employees, and subpoenas for documents and other materials from the SEC and the Department of Justice concerning these self-reported matters. The Company is fully cooperating with both agencies. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate any amount or range of loss, if any, that may be incurred in connection with these inquiries based on the nature of the inquiries to date.

Bashkirian Airways. On July 1, 2004, lawsuits were filed on behalf of the estates of 31 Russian children in the state courts of Washington, Arizona, California, Florida, New York and New Jersey against Honeywell, Honeywell TCAS, Thales USA, Thales France, the Company and Aviation Communications & Surveillance Systems (ACSS), which is a joint venture of L-3 and Thales. The suits relate to the crash over southern Germany of a Bashkirian Airways Tupelov TU 154M aircraft and a DHL Boeing 757 cargo aircraft. On-board the Tupelov aircraft were 9 crew members and 60 passengers, including 45 children. The Boeing aircraft carried a crew of two. Both aircraft were equipped with Honeywell/ACSS Model 2000, Change 7 Traffic Collision and Avoidance Systems (TCAS). Sensing the other aircraft, the on-board DHL TCAS instructed the DHL pilot to descend, and the Tupelov on-board TCAS instructed the Tupelov pilot to climb. However, the Swiss air traffic controller ordered the Tupelov pilot to descend. The Tupelov pilot disregarded the on-board TCAS and put the Tupelov aircraft into a descent striking the DHL aircraft in midair at approximately 35,000 feet. All crew and passengers of both planes were lost. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board after the crash revealed that both TCAS units were performing as designed. The suits allege negligence and strict product liability based upon the design of the units and the training provided to resolve conflicting commands. The Company’s insurers accepted defense of these matters and retained counsel. The matters were consolidated in the U.S. District Court

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

for the District of New Jersey, which then dismissed the actions on the basis of forum non conveniens. Plaintiffs representing 30 of the estates re-filed their complaint against ACSS on April 23, 2007 with the Barcelona Court’s Registry in Spain. On March 9, 2010, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and entered judgment against ACSS in the amount of approximately $6.7 million, all of which represented compensatory damages. Both ACSS and the plaintiffs appealed the judgment. In May 2012, the appellate court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and entered judgment against ACSS in the amount of $48 million. ACSS filed an appeal of the judgment with the Supreme Court of Spain (the Supreme Court) on September 28, 2012. During the Supreme Court’s consideration of the appeal, 18 of 30 plaintiffs released their claims against ACSS in consideration for payments made by the Company’s insurance carriers. On February 10, 2015, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that awarded the remaining 12 plaintiffs approximately $11 million in the aggregate (including interest), plus certain legal expenses incurred by the plaintiffs in connection with the appeal to the Supreme Court. The Company’s insurers have paid the $11 million award amount into an escrow account held by the Company’s legal representatives for payment to the plaintiffs if and when the award becomes due, and have confirmed that they will pay the plaintiffs’ legal expenses on behalf of the Company once they are certified and become due. On May 20, 2015, an appeal was filed on behalf of ACSS to annul the Supreme Court decision on constitutional grounds. In October 2015, eight of the remaining 12 plaintiffs released their claims against ACSS in consideration for approximately $7.0 million in aggregate payments made from the escrow account (representing a discount of approximately $0.1 million from the portion of the $11 million award attributable to these plaintiffs). Settlement discussions with the remaining four plaintiffs are ongoing.

HVC Alkmaar. On July 23, 2014, a notice of claim was received by our former JovyAtlas business unit. The notice relates to losses resulting from a fire that occurred at an HVC Alkmaar bio-energy plant on July 21, 2013. The notice states that the fire resulted from the failure of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to provide sufficient power to act as a back-up energy supply, alleges that JovyAtlas was the manufacturer and service provider for the UPS and claims €11 million in estimated property damages and €35 million in estimated business interruption damages. The Company has tendered the notice of claim to its insurance carriers, who have commenced their own investigation.

Qui Tam Action. On March 14, 2012, the Company was served with a qui tam lawsuit filed in the District Court for the Northern District of Texas, in which the U.S. Government has declined to intervene. The complaint alleges violations of the False Claims Act and seeks unquantified treble damages, penalties, attorney’s fees, costs, and pre-judgment interest. Plaintiff alleges that between 2004 and 2012, the Company overbilled the U.S. Government for labor hours under contracts for helicopter maintenance and repair services in Southwest Asia. On July 8, 2015, the court denied the Company’s motion for summary judgment. A jury trial is scheduled for the first quarter of 2016. The Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate the amount or range of loss, if any, that may be incurred in connection with this matter because: (1) significant factual issues remain in dispute, (2) the results of litigation can be difficult to predict, particularly those involving jury trials and (3) the plaintiff has not yet indicated the specific amount of damages that will be sought at trial. The Company believes the action lacks merit and intends to defend itself vigorously.

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AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

18.  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

	Pension Plans												Postretirement Benefit Plans
	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended						Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	29		$	26		$	93		$	80		$	—		$	(2	)	$	2		$	—
Interest cost		38			37			112			110			1			4			5			8
Expected return on plan assets		(51	)		(48	)		(155	)		(145	)		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)		(3	)
Amortization of prior service costs (credits)		—			—			1			1			—			—			(2	)		(1	)
Amortization of net loss (gain)		17			4			51			13			—			(1	)		—			(2	)
Curtailment loss		3			—			3			1			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	36		$	19		$	105		$	60		$	—		$	(1	)	$	2		$	1

Contributions. The Company contributed cash of $80 million to its pension plans and $5 million to its other postretirement benefit plans during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015. The Company expects to contribute an additional $18 million to its pension plans and $5 million to its other postretirement benefit plans during the remainder of 2015.

19.  Stock-Based Compensation

During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, the Company granted stock-based compensation under its Amended and Restated 2008 Long Term Performance Plan (2008 LTPP) in the form of stock options, restricted stock units and performance units. The stock-based compensation awards granted during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 are further discussed below.

31

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Stock Options. The Company granted 453,358 stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $129.05 per option, which was equal to the closing price of L-3 Holdings’ common stock on the date of grant. The options expire after 10 years from the date of grant and vest ratably over a three-year period on the annual anniversary of the date of grant. The options granted to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are also subject to performance-based vesting conditions. The weighted average grant date fair value for the options of $19.77 per option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation model for this grant are presented in the table below.

Expected holding period (in years)	5.0
Expected volatility	21.4	%
Expected dividend yield	2.4	%
Risk-free interest rate	1.5	%

Restricted Stock Units. The Company granted 360,915 restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value of $128.84 per share. Restricted stock units automatically convert into shares of L-3 Holdings’ common stock upon vesting, and are subject to forfeiture until certain restrictions have lapsed, including a three year cliff vesting period for employees and a one year cliff vesting period for non-employee directors, in each case starting on the date of grant.

Performance Units. The Company granted 41,138 performance units with a weighted average grant date fair value per unit of $129.03. The final payout for these units is based on the achievement of pre-determined EPS goals established by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors for the three-year period ending December 31, 2017. Units earned under the award can range from zero to 200% of the original number of units awarded, which are converted into shares of L-3 Holdings’ common stock.

20.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Interest paid on outstanding debt	$	127	$	123
Income tax payments		114		116
Income tax refunds		6		8

21.  Segment Information

The Company has four reportable segments, which are described in Note 1. The Company evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based on their sales and operating income. All corporate expenses are allocated to the Company’s operating segments using an allocation methodology prescribed by U.S. Government regulations for government contractors. Accordingly, all costs and expenses, except for the NSS goodwill impairment charge and the loss related to business divestitures (which were not included in the Company’s segment performance measures), are included in the Company’s measure of segment profitability.

32

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The tables below present net sales, operating income, depreciation and amortization and total assets by reportable segment.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Net Sales:
Electronic Systems	$	1,014		$	1,128		$	3,113		$	3,349
Aerospace Systems		1,068			1,037			3,092			3,173
Communication Systems		516			507			1,474			1,562
NSS		267			307			774			948
Elimination of intercompany sales		(48	)		(39	)		(130	)		(116	)
Consolidated total	$	2,817		$	2,940		$	8,323		$	8,916
Operating Income (Loss):
Electronic Systems	$	123		$	125		$	356		$	383
Aerospace Systems		103			64			148			196
Communication Systems		53			49			140			147
NSS		7			19			28			56
Segment total	$	286		$	257		$	672		$	782
Loss related to business divestitures(1)		(9	)		—			(29	)		—
Impairment charge(2)		(491	)		—			(491	)		—
Consolidated total	$	(214	)	$	257		$	152		$	782
Depreciation and amortization:
Electronic Systems	$	26		$	30		$	81		$	89
Aerospace Systems		13			11			37			30
Communication Systems		12			13			37			38
NSS		3			2			9			8
Consolidated total	$	54		$	56		$	164		$	165

⁽¹⁾  See Note 4 for information regarding the Company’s business divestitures.

⁽²⁾  Represents a non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2015 due to a decline in the estimated fair value of the NSS business. See Note 7 for additional information.

33

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Total Assets:
Electronic Systems	$	6,672	$	6,287
Aerospace Systems		3,103		3,011
Communication Systems		1,990		1,997
NSS		777		1,287
Corporate		494		707
Assets held for sale		—		547
Consolidated total	$	13,036	$	13,836

22.  Employee Severance and Termination Costs

Consistent with the Company’s strategy to continuously improve its cost structure and right-size its businesses, especially in view of U.S. defense budget constraints, L-3 is completing employment reduction actions across several of its businesses to reduce both direct and indirect costs, including overhead and general and administrative costs. As a result of these initiatives and due to the impact of U.S. defense budget constraints at certain affected business units, the Company recorded $4 million and $10 million in employee severance and other termination costs, with respect to approximately 740 employees, during the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a total of $30 million in employee severance and other termination costs with respect to approximately 2,000 employees. Employee severance and other termination costs are reported within cost of sales on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The remaining balance to be paid in connection with these initiatives was $6 million at September 25, 2015 and $11 million at December 31, 2014, which is expected to be paid primarily by the first half of 2016. Employee severance and other termination costs incurred by reportable segment for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014 are presented in the table below.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Reportable Segment
Electronic Systems	$	2	$	—	$	4	$	14
Aerospace Systems		1		1		3		3
Communication Systems		1		2		3		5
NSS		—		—		—		1
Consolidated	$	4	$	3	$	10	$	23

23.  Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries

L-3 Communications is a 100% owned subsidiary of L-3 Holdings. The debt of L-3 Communications, including the Senior Notes and borrowings under amounts drawn against the Credit Facility is guaranteed, on a joint and several, full and unconditional basis, by certain of its domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) and, in the case of the Credit Facility, by L-3 Holdings. See Note 10 to the audited consolidated

34

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information. The foreign subsidiaries and certain domestic subsidiaries of L-3 Communications (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) do not guarantee the debt of L-3 Communications or L-3 Holdings. None of the debt of L-3 Communications has been issued by its subsidiaries. There are no restrictions on the payment of dividends from the Guarantor Subsidiaries to L-3 Communications or from L-3 Communications to L-3 Holdings.

Under the terms of the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the guarantees of the Senior Notes will automatically and unconditionally be released and discharged: (1) upon the release of all guarantees of all other outstanding indebtedness of L-3 Communications Corporation, or (2) upon the determination that such guarantor is no longer a “domestic subsidiary.” In addition, the guarantees of the Senior Notes will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of any guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale of all of the capital stock of such guarantor.

The following unaudited condensed combining financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of: (1) L-3 Holdings, excluding L-3 Communications and its consolidated subsidiaries (the Parent), (2) L-3 Communications, excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, (3) the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (4) the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and (5) the eliminations to arrive at the information for L-3 on a consolidated basis.

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)		L-3 Communications		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
Condensed Combining Balance Sheets:
At September 25, 2015:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	170	$	1	$	167	$	(15	)	$	323
Billed receivables, net		—		260		318		218		—			796
Contracts in process		—		938		1,197		348		—			2,483
Other current assets		—		413		163		117		—			693
Total current assets		—		1,781		1,679		850		(15	)		4,295
Goodwill		—		2,317		3,777		1,018		—			7,112
Other assets		—		800		552		277		—			1,629
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries		4,584		6,294		4,475		—		(15,353	)		—
Total assets	$	4,584	$	11,192	$	10,483	$	2,145	$	(15,368	)	$	13,036
Current liabilities	$	—	$	931	$	1,044	$	504	$	(15	)	$	2,464
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		—		—		—		16		(16	)		—
Other long-term liabilities		—		1,737		203		33		—			1,973
Long-term debt		—		3,940		—		—		—			3,940
Total liabilities		—		6,608		1,247		553		(31	)		8,377
L-3 shareholders’ equity		4,584		4,584		9,236		1,592		(15,412	)		4,584
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		—		75			75
Total equity		4,584		4,584		9,236		1,592		(15,337	)		4,659
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,584	$	11,192	$	10,483	$	2,145	$	(15,368	)	$	13,036

35

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)		L-3 Communications		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
At December 31, 2014:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	361	$	1	$	142	$	(62	)	$	442
Billed receivables, net		—		320		329		203		—			852
Contracts in process		—		867		1,144		284		—			2,295
Other current assets		—		365		141		95		—			601
Assets held for sale		—		—		52		495		—			547
Total current assets		—		1,913		1,667		1,219		(62	)		4,737
Goodwill		—		2,308		4,280		913		—			7,501
Other assets		—		817		576		205		—			1,598
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries		5,285		6,855		4,157		—		(16,297	)		—
Total assets	$	5,285	$	11,893	$	10,680	$	2,337	$	(16,359	)	$	13,836
Current liabilities	$	—	$	878	$	1,017	$	455	$	(62	)	$	2,288
Liabilities held for sale		—		—		10		227		—			237
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		—		—		—		333		(333	)		—
Other long-term liabilities		—		1,791		190		31		—			2,012
Long-term debt		—		3,939		—		—		—			3,939
Total liabilities		—		6,608		1,217		1,046		(395	)		8,476
L-3 shareholders’ equity		5,285		5,285		9,463		1,291		(16,039	)		5,285
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		—		75			75
Total equity		5,285		5,285		9,463		1,291		(15,964	)		5,360
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,285	$	11,893	$	10,680	$	2,337	$	(16,359	)	$	13,836

36

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)			L-3 Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
Condensed Combining Statements of Operations:
For the quarter ended September 25, 2015:
Total net sales	$	—		$	873		$	1,584		$	449		$	(89	)	$	2,817
Total cost of sales		(12	)		(790	)		(1,442	)		(388	)		101			(2,531	)
Loss related to business divestitures		—			(8	)		(1	)		—			—			(9	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(491	)		—			—			(491	)
Operating (loss) income		(12	)		75			(350	)		61			12			(214	)
Interest expense		—			(47	)		—			—			—			(47	)
Interest and other income, net		—			2			—			1			—			3
(Loss) income before income taxes		(12	)		30			(350	)		62			12			(258	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		7			(10	)		(14	)		(14	)		(7	)		(38	)
Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(294	)		(319	)		—			—			613			—
Net (loss) income		(299	)		(299	)		(364	)		48			618			(296	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(3	)		(3	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	(299	)	$	(364	)	$	48		$	615		$	(299	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to L-3	$	(351	)	$	(351	)	$	(370	)	$	(9	)	$	730		$	(351	)
For the quarter ended September 26, 2014:
Total net sales	$	—		$	860		$	1,628		$	525		$	(73	)	$	2,940
Total cost of sales		(10	)		(787	)		(1,500	)		(469	)		83			(2,683	)
Operating (loss) income		(10	)		73			128			56			10			257
Interest expense		—			(46	)		(2	)		1			—			(47	)
Interest and other income, net		—			4			—			1			—			5
(Loss) income before income taxes		(10	)		31			126			58			10			215
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		3			(8	)		(34	)		(16	)		(3	)		(58	)
Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries		161			131			—			—			(292	)		—
Net income		154			154			92			42			(285	)		157
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(3	)		(3	)
Net income attributable to L-3	$	154		$	154		$	92		$	42		$	(288	)	$	154
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	$	90		$	90		$	89		$	(22	)	$	(157	)	$	90

37

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)			L-3 Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
Condensed Combining Statements of Operations:
For the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015:
Total net sales	$	—		$	2,539		$	4,574		$	1,442		$	(232	)	$	8,323
Total cost of sales		(36	)		(2,313	)		(4,295	)		(1,275	)		268			(7,651	)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures		—			(13	)		(29	)		13			—			(29	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(491	)		—			—			(491	)
Operating (loss) income		(36	)		213			(241	)		180			36			152
Interest expense		—			(138	)		(1	)		—			—			(139	)
Interest and other income, net		—			9			—			2			—			11
(Loss) income before income taxes		(36	)		84			(242	)		182			36			24
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		11			(19	)		(33	)		(35	)		(11	)		(87	)
Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(49	)		(139	)		—			—			188			—
Net (loss) income		(74	)		(74	)		(275	)		147			213			(63	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(11	)		(11	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(74	)	$	(74	)	$	(275	)	$	147		$	202		$	(74	)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(120	)	$	(120	)	$	(280	)	$	73		$	327		$	(120	)
For the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014:
Total net sales	$	—		$	2,606		$	4,908		$	1,623		$	(221	)	$	8,916
Total cost of sales		(39	)		(2,354	)		(4,533	)		(1,468	)		260			(8,134	)
Operating (loss) income		(39	)		252			375			155			39			782
Interest expense		(2	)		(127	)		(2	)		—			2			(129	)
Interest and other income, net		—			12			—			2			—			14
(Loss) income before income taxes		(41	)		137			373			157			41			667
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		12			(41	)		(110	)		(46	)		(12	)		(197	)
Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries		490			365			—			—			(855	)		—
Net income		461			461			263			111			(826	)		470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(9	)		(9	)
Net income attributable to L-3	$	461		$	461		$	263		$	111		$	(835	)	$	461
Comprehensive income attributable to L-3	$	411		$	411		$	264		$	53		$	(728	)	$	411

38

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)			L-3 Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows
For the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015:
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$	768		$	337		$	348		$	66		$	(888	)	$	631
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(260	)		—			—			—			(260	)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances		—			4			27			277			—			308
Investments in L-3 Communications		(33	)		—			—			—			33			—
Other investing activities		—			(63	)		(45	)		(26	)		—			(134	)
Net cash (used in) from investing activities		(33	)		(319	)		(18	)		251			33			(86	)
Financing activities:
Common stock repurchased		(605	)		—			—			—			—			(605	)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings common stock		(163	)		—			—			—			—			(163	)
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings		—			(768	)		—			—			768			—
Investments from L-3 Holdings		—			33			—			—			(33	)		—
Other financing activities		33			526			(331	)		(338	)		167			57
Net cash used in financing activities		(735	)		(209	)		(331	)		(338	)		902			(711	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash		—			—			—			(14	)		—			(14	)
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale		—			—			1			60			—			61
Net (decrease) increase in cash		—			(191	)		—			25			47			(119	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		—			361			1			142			(62	)		442
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	170		$	1		$	167		$	(15	)	$	323

39

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AND L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)			L-3 Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
For the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014:
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$	1,506		$	201		$	382		$	69		$	(1,553	)	$	605
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(57	)		—			—			—			(57	)
Investments in L-3 Communications		(87	)		—			—			—			87			—
Other investing activities		—			(37	)		(52	)		(16	)		—			(105	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(87	)		(94	)		(52	)		(16	)		87			(162	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes		—			996			—			—			—			996
Retirement of CODES		(935	)		—			—			—			—			(935	)
Common stock repurchased		(413	)		—			—			—			—			(413	)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings common stock		(158	)		—			—			—			—			(158	)
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings		—			(1,506	)		—			—			1,506			—
Investments from L-3 Holdings		—			87			—			—			(87	)		—
Other financing activities		87			388			(329	)		(66	)		4			84
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,419	)		(35	)		(329	)		(66	)		1,423			(426	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash		—			—			—			(9	)		—			(9	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		—			72			1			(22	)		(43	)		8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		—			258			—			261			(19	)		500
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	330		$	1		$	239		$	(62	)	$	508

40

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview and Outlook

L-3’s Business

L-3 Holdings derives all of its operating income and cash flows from its wholly-owned subsidiary, L-3 Communications. L-3 Communications is a prime contractor in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, aircraft sustainment (including modifications, logistics and maintenance), simulation and training, night vision and image intensification equipment, enterprise and mission information technology (IT) solutions and cyber operations. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of communication and electronic systems and products used on military and commercial platforms. The Company’s customers include the United States (U.S.) Department of Defense (DoD) and its prime contractors, U.S. Government intelligence agencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), foreign governments, and domestic and international commercial customers.

We have the following four reportable segments: (1) Electronic Systems, (2) Aerospace Systems, (3) Communication Systems, and (4) National Security Solutions (NSS). Electronic Systems provides a broad range of components, products, subsystems, systems, and related services for military and commercial customers in several niche markets across several business areas. These business areas include precision engagement & training, sensor systems, power & propulsion systems, aviation products and security systems, warrior systems and advanced programs. Aerospace Systems delivers integrated solutions for the global ISR market and provides modernization, upgrade, sustainment, and maintenance and logistics support for a wide variety of aircraft and ground systems. Communication Systems delivers products and services for the global communications market, specializing in strategic and tactical airborne, space, ground and sea-based communication systems. NSS provides cybersecurity solutions, high-performance computing, enterprise IT services, analytics and intelligence analysis to the DoD, U.S. Government intelligence agencies, federal civilian agencies and foreign governments.

In April 2015, we realigned our Platform and Logistics Solutions sector within the Aerospace Systems segment to enhance the operational effectiveness and competitiveness of the platform systems business. The platform systems business was integrated within the ISR Systems sector and the new integrated organization was renamed the ISR and Aircraft Systems sector. The Logistics Solutions sector remains a separate sector within the Aerospace Systems segment. This realignment did not impact the composition of our reporting units.

Financial information with respect to our segments is included in Results of Operations within this section, Note 21 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and Note 22 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we generated sales of $12,124 million and our primary customer was the DoD. The table below presents a summary of our consolidated 2014 sales by major category of end customer and the percent contributed by each to our consolidated 2014 sales.

	2014 Sales		% of 2014 Sales
	(in millions)
DoD	$	7,961		66	%
Other U.S. Government		623		5
Total U.S. Government		8,584		71	%
International (foreign governments)		1,847		15
Commercial — international		1,105		9
Commercial — domestic		588		5
Total sales	$	12,124		100	%

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We currently expect the percentage of our consolidated sales to the U.S. Government to remain at approximately 71% of our consolidated 2015 sales compared to our consolidated 2014 sales. U.S. Government sales include sales to the DoD, which we expect to remain at approximately 66% of our consolidated 2015 sales compared to our consolidated 2014 sales. We also expect sales to international and commercial customers to remain at approximately 29% of our 2015 sales, compared to our consolidated 2014 sales.

Business Environment

U.S. Government Markets. Sales to U.S. Government customers represented 71% of our 2014 sales, and were primarily to DoD customers, which comprised 66% of our consolidated sales. Therefore, our annual sales are generally highly correlated to changes in U.S. Government spending levels, especially DoD budget levels.

The DoD budget peaked in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (FY 2010) at $690 billion and has declined since. The total budget for FY 2014 was $581 billion, which increased slightly compared to the FY 2013 budget due to an increase in the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) budget. The FY 2014 base budget remained at $496 billion compared to FY 2013. The total DoD budget for FY 2015 was $560 billion, which decreased by 4% due to a decrease in the OCO budget. The FY 2015 DoD base budget remained flat at $496 billion compared to FY 2014.

The enacted FY 2013 and FY 2014 DoD budgets and the FY 2015 DoD budget, which was fully appropriated by Congress on December 13, 2014, comply with the sequestration cuts required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA), as amended by The American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (BBA). ATRA, enacted on January 2, 2013, reduced the sequester cuts to the FY 2013 DoD budget by $9 billion. The BBA, enacted on December 26, 2013, reduced budget sequester cuts to the DoD base budget by approximately $22 billion for FY 2014 and $9 billion for FY 2015 and increased the FY 2014 OCO budget by $6 billion compared to the amount requested by the Obama Administration (Administration).

On February 2, 2015, the Administration submitted its FY 2016 DoD Proposed Budget Request (PBR). The total FY 2016 DoD budget request is $585 billion ($534 billion base budget, $51 billion OCO), a requested increase of 4% compared to the appropriated FY 2015 DoD budget. However, Congress has not approved the FY 2016 budget. The FY 2016 PBR, for the base budget, exceeds the BCA sequestration cut spending caps by $34 billion in FY 2016, $35 billion in FY 2017, $31 billion in FY 2018 and $27 billion in FY 2019. The table below excludes the base budget amounts that exceed the BCA spending caps for FY 2016 to FY 2019.

	DoD Budget (includes Sequestration Cuts/BBA)						Annual Total Budget Change
Fiscal Year (Ending September 30)	Base		OCO		Total
	(in billions)
2011	$	528	$	159	$	687		0	%
2012	$	530	$	115	$	645		-6	%
2013	$	496	$	82	$	578		-10	%
2014	$	496	$	85	$	581		+1	%
2015	$	496	$	64	$	560		-4	%
2016	$	500	$	51	$	551		-2	%
2017	$	512	$	27	$	539		-2	%
2018	$	525	$	27	$	552		+2	%
2019	$	537	$	27	$	564		+2	%

In May 2015, Congress passed a budget resolution for overall defense spending levels for FY 2016, which began on October 1, 2015, authorizing appropriations that meet the Administration’s PBR. The budget resolution authorizes base budget funding at the BCA sequestration spending caps and places the Administration PBR amounts that exceed the BCA sequestration spending caps in increased funding for the FY 2016 OCO budget.

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However, the FY 2016 budget was not appropriated by Congress before October 1, 2015 and FY 2016 began with a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 11, 2015. The CR will maintain funding at the current FY 2015 appropriated level resulting in spending caps and a prohibition on new program starts and multi-year contract awards. On October 27, 2015, Congressional leaders and the Administration reached a two-year budget and debt ceiling agreement. The agreement, if enacted, would authorize defense budget appropriations that meet the Administration’s PBR and extend the Treasury Department’s borrowing authority to March 2017. The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed the two-year budget agreement on October 28, 2015 and October 30, 2015, respectively. The agreement heads to President Obama and he is expected to sign it.

While we believe that L-3 is well positioned to benefit from several of the DoD’s focus areas, the decline in the DoD budgets in 2015 and the potential decline in the FY 2016 budget, depending on if Congress provides relief from sequestration cuts, will generally pressure and possibly reduce funding for some of our contracts, which could reduce our sales and operating income and negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows. Uncertainty continues to exist, even with the passage of the BBA, regarding how sequestration cuts will be implemented in DoD budgets for FY 2016 and beyond and what challenges this may present for the defense industry, including L-3, our customers and suppliers. Furthermore, while members of Congress and the Administration continue to discuss various options to address sequestration and the U.S. Government’s overall fiscal challenges, we cannot predict the outcome of these efforts. We do not believe the FY 2015 sequester cuts to the DoD budget will have a significant negative impact on our results of operations or cash flows for the year ending December 31, 2015. However, depending on how future sequestration cuts are implemented, we believe that sequestration could have a material, negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows in the future. In addition, declining DoD budgets due to sequestration or other reductions could also potentially trigger non-cash goodwill impairment charges depending on how these reductions impact each of our reporting units. (See the discussion regarding goodwill in “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).

International and Commercial Markets. Sales to end customers other than the U.S. Government represented 29% of our 2014 sales and we expect those sales to represent 29% of our consolidated 2015 sales, including 1.6% of our consolidated sales related to Marine Systems International (MSI), which we divested on May 29, 2015. These sales are generally affected by international government security and military priorities, as well as the fiscal situations of our international government end customers, global economic conditions for our commercial end markets and our competitive success in winning new business and increasing market share.

Key Performance Measures

The primary financial performance measures that we use to manage our businesses and monitor results of operations are sales and operating income trends. Management believes that these financial performance measures are the primary growth drivers for our earnings and cash flow per common share. Generally, in evaluating our businesses and contract performance, we focus on net sales, operating income and operating margin, which we define as operating income as a percentage of sales, and not by type or amount of operating costs.

One of our primary business objectives is to increase sales organically and through select business acquisitions. We define organic sales growth as the increase or decrease in sales for the current period compared to the prior period, excluding sales in the: (1) current period from business acquisitions that are included in our actual results of operations for less than twelve months, and (2) prior period from business divestitures that are included in our actual results of operations for the twelve-month period prior to the divestiture date. We expect to supplement, strengthen and enhance our existing businesses by selectively acquiring businesses that: (1) add important new technologies and products, (2) provide access to select customers, programs and contracts and (3) provide attractive returns on investment. Another important financial performance measure that we use is operating margin, because sales growth combined with operating margin levels determine our operating income levels.

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Sales Trend. For the quarter ended September 25, 2015 (2015 Third Quarter), consolidated net sales of $2,817 million decreased by $123 million, or 4%, compared to the quarter ended September 26, 2014 (2014 Third Quarter), due to a decrease in organic sales of $30 million, or 1%, and a decrease of $125 million, or 4%, related to business divestitures. These decreases were partially offset by net sales from business acquisitions of $32 million, or 1%.

For the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 (2015 Year-to-Date Period), consolidated net sales of $8,323 million decreased by $593 million, or 7%, compared to the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014 (2014 Year-to-Date Period) due to a decrease in organic sales of $477 million, or 5.3%, and a decrease of $187 million, or 2.1%, related to business divestitures. These decreases were partially offset by net sales from business acquisitions of $71 million, or 0.8%. See “— Results of Operations,” including segment results below for a further discussion of sales.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, our largest contract (revenue arrangement) in terms of annual sales was the Fort Rucker Maintenance Support contract with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM), which is included in our Aerospace Systems segment. Under this contract, which generated 3.6% of our 2014 sales, we provide maintenance, logistics and other related sustainment support services for rotary wing aircraft assigned to Fort Rucker and satellite units in Alabama. Our period of performance, including unexercised annual options, continues through September 30, 2017.

We derived approximately 66% of our 2014 sales from DoD customers and, as a result, our sales are highly correlated to DoD budget levels. DoD budgets are a function of several factors and uncertainties beyond our control, including, but not limited to, changes in U.S. procurement policies, budget considerations, current and future economic conditions, presidential administration priorities, U.S. military engagements, changing national security and defense requirements, geo-political developments, actual fiscal year congressional appropriations for defense budgets, and sequestration and other DoD budget reductions. Any of these factors could result in a significant increase, decrease or redirection of DoD budgets and impact L-3’s future results of operations, including our sales and operating income growth rates. Additionally, L-3’s future results of operations will be affected by our ability to retain our existing business, including our revenue arrangements with DoD customers, and to successfully re-compete for existing business and compete for new business, which largely depends on: (1) our successful performance on existing contracts, (2) the effectiveness and innovation of our technologies and research and development activities, (3) our ability to offer better program performance than our competitors at an affordable cost, and (4) our ability to retain our employees and hire new ones, particularly those employees who have U.S. Government security clearances. We expect our 2015 consolidated sales to decline by approximately 6% compared to 2014, primarily due to U.S. defense budget constraints and reductions caused by sequestration and the divestiture of MSI. See “Other Events” for information related to the MSI divestiture.

Operating Income Trend. For the 2015 Third Quarter, we reported a consolidated operating loss of $214 million. Our consolidated operating results for the 2015 Third Quarter were impacted by a goodwill impairment charge of $491 million and a pre-tax loss of $9 million related to business divestitures, which are further discussed below. The goodwill impairment charge and pre-tax losses related to business divestitures are excluded from segment operating income, because they are excluded by management for purposes of assessing segment operating performance. Our segment operating income was $286 million for the 2015 Third Quarter, an increase of 11% from $257 million for the 2014 Third Quarter, and our segment operating income as a percentage of sales (segment operating margin) was 10.2% for the 2015 Third Quarter, an increase of 150 basis points from 8.7% for the 2014 Third Quarter.

For the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, our consolidated operating income was $152 million and our consolidated operating margin was 1.8%. Our consolidated operating income and consolidated operating margin for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period were reduced by a goodwill impairment charge of $491 million and a pre-tax loss of $29 million related to business divestitures. Our segment operating income was $672 million for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, a decrease of 14% from $782 million for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period, and our segment operating margin was 8.1% for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, a decrease of 70 basis points from 8.8% for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. See “— Results of Operations”, including segment results below for a further discussion of operating margin.

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The quarter ended June 26, 2015 and the 2015 Year-to-Date Period results were impacted by contract cost growth charges of $103 million ($64 million after income taxes), or $0.79 per diluted share, at the Platform Integration division in the Aerospace Systems segment, comprised of: (1) additional losses on international head-of-state aircraft modification contracts of $84 million ($52 million after income taxes), or $0.64 per diluted share, and (2) cost growth on three other aircraft modification contracts of $19 million ($12 million after income taxes), or $0.15 per diluted share. The additional losses on international head-of-state contracts resulted from higher estimated engineering, production and support labor, and material costs. The increased costs are primarily driven by additional delays in aircraft delivery caused by rework identified during the quarter as a result of internal program reviews, customer inspections, functional check flights and internal design reviews. During the second quarter actions were taken to: (i) provide increased program management resources, (ii) improve engineering practices, (iii) in-source certain work previously expected to be performed by subcontractors to reduce future rework and help us manage to the updated schedule, (iv) improve assembly processes and (v) improve quality assurance processes. The cost growth on the three other aircraft modification contracts include $9 million ($6 million after income taxes), or $0.07 per diluted share, for additional software modifications and warranty obligations related to a foreign government C-130 aircraft modification contract.

Our effective management of labor, material, subcontractor and other direct costs is an important element of cost control and favorable contract performance. We believe that proactively re-sizing our businesses to their anticipated sales, combined with continuous cost improvement will enable us to increase our cost competitiveness. While we continue to undertake cost management actions, such as reducing our indirect costs, resizing select business units and improving our productivity and contract performance in an effort to maintain or even increase operating margin, these efforts may not be successful and may be partially or fully offset by other cost increases. Changes in the competitive environment and DoD procurement practices, reductions to the DoD budget, lower consolidated sales and changes in annual pension expense, including related assumptions such as the benefit obligation discount rates could result in lower operating margin. Furthermore, select business acquisitions and new business, including contract renewals and new contracts, could have lower future operating margins compared to L-3’s operating margins on existing contracts, and could reduce future consolidated and segment operating margins. We expect our 2015 annual consolidated operating margin to decrease as compared to 2014, primarily due to the items impacting the 2015 Year-to-Date Period discussed above.

Other Events

NSS Goodwill Impairment Charge

As previously disclosed on October 29, 2015, we continue to evaluate strategic alternatives for the NSS business. These strategic alternatives could include, among other possibilities, a potential sale, spin-off or other divestiture transactions for the business. During the 2015 Third Quarter, a decline in the projected future cash flows of NSS indicated that the carrying amount of the goodwill for the NSS business may not be recoverable. As such, we performed the first step of the impairment test for the NSS business. The first step of the impairment test indicated that a portion of the $1,006 million of goodwill for the NSS business may not be recoverable. We performed the second step of the impairment test in accordance with the accounting standards for goodwill to measure the impairment loss and determined that the implied goodwill was $491 million lower than the carrying amount. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $491 million ($463 million after income taxes), or $5.79 per diluted share, for the impairment of goodwill. The goodwill impairment charge was due to a decline in the estimated fair value of the NSS business as a result of a decline in the projected future cash flows of NSS caused by NSS’s inability to achieve its planned 2015 orders, sales and operating income, primarily due to lower than expected new commercial and international business awards, and a reduced outlook for operating margin and international sales.

Business Acquisitions

CTC Aviation Group Acquisition. On May 27, 2015, we acquired CTC Aviation Group, renamed L-3 CTC Ltd. (L-3 CTC), for a purchase price of £153 million (approximately $236 million), which was financed with

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cash on hand. L-3 CTC is a global airline pilot training and crew resourcing specialist, based in the United Kingdom, which offers customized and innovative solutions to major airlines and flight training customers globally. This acquisition expands L-3’s commercial aviation training business, which also includes L-3 Link UK, a provider of world-class flight training simulation devices, aftermarket solutions and training, to encompass a growing portfolio of airline and third-party training company customers.

MITEQ, Inc. Acquisition. On January 21, 2015, we acquired the assets of MITEQ, Inc. (Miteq) for a purchase price of $41 million, which was financed with cash on hand. Miteq was combined with our Narda Microwave-East business and the new organization was re-named L-3 Narda-Miteq. Miteq offers a broad product line of active and passive radio frequency (RF) microwave components and low-power satellite communications (SATCOM) products for space and military applications that complement the existing Narda Microwave East product line. The combined L-3 Narda-Miteq business will provide products for the DoD, other U.S. Government agencies, prime contractors and commercial customers.

Business Acquisitions Completed After September 25, 2015

ForceX, Inc. Acquisition. On October 13, 2015, we acquired ForceX, Inc., renamed L-3 ForceX, for a purchase price of $60 million (subject to customary adjustments for final working capital), which was financed with cash on hand. L-3 ForceX will be incorporated into our Sensor Systems sector within the Electronic Systems business segment. L-3 ForceX is an industry leader specializing in ISR mission management software and geospatial application technology programs, offering an array of advanced products, including cueing system software, hardware and video algorithms, and wide-area sensor integration solutions and software. L-3 ForceX’s proprietary processing, exploitation and dissemination capability provides an integrated tactical operational picture, allowing users to make critical decisions in real time. L-3 ForceX also provides training courseware, materials and turnkey classroom training solutions for its customers and currently supports several key DoD ISR initiatives and classified programs. L-3 ForceX’s customer base includes the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, the Naval Surface Warfare Center and a variety of DoD agencies.

Business Divestitures

During the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, we completed the sales of MSI, Broadcast Sports Inc. (BSI) and the Tinsley Product Line. The adjustments we recorded related to the business divestitures are included in the loss related to business divestitures caption on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and are summarized and further discussed below.

	Third Quarter Ended			Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 25, 2015
	(in millions)
Loss on Tinsley Product Line divestiture	$	(8	)	$	(8	)
Loss on BSI divestiture		(1	)		(4	)
Gain on MSI divestiture		—			4
Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale		—			(17	)
Loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from MSI divestiture		—			(4	)
Total loss related to the business divestitures	$	(9	)	$	(29	)

MSI Divestiture. On May 29, 2015, we completed the sale of our MSI business to Wärtsilä Corporation for a preliminary purchase price of €295 million (approximately $318 million), in addition to the assumption by Wärtsilä Corporation of approximately €60 million of MSI employee pension-related liabilities. The purchase price is subject to finalization based on customary adjustments for closing date net working capital. MSI was a

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sector within our Electronic Systems segment, primarily selling to the commercial shipbuilding industry. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, MSI’s assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale in our audited consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 and MSI’s results of operations are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented. See Note 4 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the major assets and liabilities included in held for sale relating to MSI at December 31, 2014. During the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015, we recorded a realized pre-tax gain of $4 million ($8 million after income tax benefits, or $0.10 per diluted share), based on the total estimated proceeds from the sale.

The accounting standards for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale require us to measure assets and liabilities of a disposal group, classified as held for sale, at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, at the end of each reporting period. As a result of the decline in the estimated U.S. dollar equivalent divestiture proceeds due to the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, the carrying value of the MSI disposal group exceeded its fair value at March 27, 2015. Accordingly, a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $17 million ($12 million after income taxes, or $0.15 per diluted share) was recorded during the quarterly period ended March 27, 2015.

In March 2015, we entered into a forward contract to sell €285 million of the proceeds obtained from the divestiture of MSI at a rate of $1.0782. We accounted for this contract as an economic hedge and recorded a mark to market adjustment to earnings based on the fair value of the forward contract at March 27, 2015. Accordingly, we recorded an unrealized pre-tax loss of $5 million ($3 million after income taxes, or $0.03 per diluted share) during the quarterly period ended March 27, 2015. On May 29, 2015, upon settlement of the contract, we realized $4 million of the $5 million previously recorded pre-tax loss and recorded a $1 million pre-tax gain ($1 million after income taxes, or $0.01 per diluted share) in the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015.

BSI Divestiture. On April 24, 2015, we divested our BSI business for a sales price of $26 million. BSI is a provider of wireless technology and communications systems services for use in the field of sports television broadcasting, and was included in the Sensor Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The divestiture resulted in a pre-tax loss of $4 million ($6 million after income taxes, or $0.07 per diluted share) during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, BSI’s assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, and results of operations for all periods presented are classified as held and used in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Tinsley Product Line Divestiture. On July 27, 2015, we divested our Tinsley Product Line for a sales price of $4 million. Tinsley is a provider of optical components, sub-assemblies and passive sub-systems and was included in the Sensor Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The divestiture resulted in a pre-tax loss of $8 million ($6 million after income taxes, or $0.08 per diluted share) during the 2015 Third Quarter. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, Tinsley’s assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, and results of operations for all periods presented are classified as held and used in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K summarizes the business acquisitions and dispositions that we completed during the three years ended December 31, 2014. Business acquisitions are included in our consolidated results of operations from their dates of acquisition. See Note 4 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report for a further discussion of our business acquisitions and dispositions during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period.

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Results of Operations

The following information should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report. Our results of operations for the periods presented are affected by our business acquisitions and divestitures.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The table below provides L-3’s selected financial data for the 2015 Third Quarter compared with the 2014 Third Quarter and the 2015 Year-to-Date Period compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period.

	Third Quarter Ended									Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Increase/ (decrease)			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Increase/ (decrease)
(in millions, except per share data)
Net sales	$	2,817		$	2,940			(4	)%	$	8,323		$	8,916			(7	)%
Operating (loss) income	$	(214	)	$	257			nm		$	152		$	782			(81	)%
Loss related to business divestitures		9			—			nm			29			—			nm
Goodwill impairment charge		491			—			nm			491			—			nm
Segment operating income	$	286		$	257			11	%	$	672		$	782			(14	)%
Operating margin		nm			8.7	%		nm			1.8	%		8.8	%		(700	) bpts
Segment operating margin		10.2	%		8.7	%		150	bpts		8.1	%		8.8	%		(70	) bpts
Interest expense	$	47		$	47			—		$	139		$	129			8	%
Interest and other income, net	$	3		$	5			(40	)%	$	11		$	14			(21	)%
Effective income tax rate		nm			27.0	%		nm			nm			29.5	%		nm
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	154			nm		$	(74	)	$	461			nm
Adjusted net income attributable to L-3(1)	$	170		$	154			10	%	$	407		$	461			(12	)%
Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(3.74	)	$	1.78			nm		$	(0.91	)	$	5.21			nm
Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1)	$	2.09		$	1.78			17	%	$	4.92		$	5.21			(6	)%
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			86.6			(8	)%		81.5			88.4			(8	)%
nm – not meaningful (1)    Non-GAAP metric that excludes the goodwill impairment charge and the aggregate loss related to business divestitures. See the table on page 52 for a reconciliation of this measure.

Net Sales: For the 2015 Third Quarter, consolidated net sales of $2.8 billion decreased $123 million, or 4%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Sales to the U.S. Government declined 3%, or $58 million, to $2,040 million in the 2015 Third Quarter, compared to $2,098 million in the 2014 Third Quarter, driven primarily by U.S. defense budget constraints and reductions caused by sequestration, and by the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan. Sales to international and commercial customers declined 8%, or $65 million, to $777 million in the 2015 Third Quarter, compared to $842 million in the 2014 Third Quarter driven by a $125 million decline related to business divestitures, primarily MSI, partially offset by $32 million of sales from the Miteq and CTC business acquisitions. This decrease was partially offset by an increase of $28 million primarily due to a new contract for satellite communication systems to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Organic sales for the 2015 Third Quarter declined 1%. Organic sales to the U.S. Government declined 3%, while organic sales grew 3% for international and commercial customers.

Sales from products decreased by $32 million to $1,612 million for the 2015 Third Quarter, compared to $1,644 million for the 2014 Third Quarter. Sales from products represented approximately 57% of consolidated net sales for the 2015 Third Quarter, compared to 56% for the 2014 Third Quarter. Sales from products declined by: (1) $89 million related to the divestiture of MSI during the quarter ended June 26, 2015, and (2) $10 million for Precision Engagement & Training primarily due to the completion of contracts for commercial flight simulators to international customers. These decreases were partially offset by: (1) an increase in sales of $35 million primarily for large ISR aircraft systems for U.S. Government customers and small ISR aircraft systems to the DoD and (2) an increase in sales of $32 million primarily due to a higher mix of product sales for Broadband Communication systems and sales from the Miteq business acquisition.

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Sales from services decreased by $91 million to $1,205 million for the 2015 Third Quarter, compared to $1,296 million for the 2014 Third Quarter. Sales from services represented approximately 43% of consolidated net sales for the 2015 Third Quarter, compared to 44% for the 2014 Third Quarter. Sales from services declined by: (1) $36 million for NSS, primarily related to lower demand for intelligence support services driven by the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan and completed contracts, (2) $32 million related to the MSI and BSI business divestitures and (3) $12 million related to lower volume for field maintenance and sustainment services, primarily for U.S. Navy aircraft because of completed contracts and lower demand and lower prices due to competitive pressures. The remaining decrease in sales of $11 million was primarily due to a lower mix of services sales for Broadband Communication Systems. See the reportable segment results below for additional discussion of our segment sales trends.

For the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, consolidated net sales of $8.3 billion decreased $593 million, or 7%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Sales to the U.S. Government, including $5 million of sales from acquired businesses, declined 6%, or $395 million, to $5,981 million in the 2015 Year-to-Date Period compared to $6,376 million in the 2014 Year-to-Date Period, driven primarily by U.S. defense budget constraints and reductions caused by sequestration and by the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan. Sales to international and commercial customers declined 8%, or $198 million, to $2,342 million in the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, compared to $2,540 million in the 2014 Year-to-Date Period driven by: (1) a $187 million decline relating to business divestitures, partially offset by $66 million of sales from the Miteq and CTC business acquisitions, (2) a $82 million decline due to foreign currency exchange rate changes and (3) a $59 million decline on international head-of-state aircraft modification contracts primarily due to unfavorable contract performance adjustments. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $64 million primarily due to higher volume for small ISR aircraft systems to a foreign government and a new contract for satellite communication systems to the ADF. Organic consolidated sales for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period declined 5%. Organic sales to the U.S. Government declined 6% and organic sales to international and commercial customers declined 3%.

Sales from products decreased by $230 million to $4,761 million for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, compared to $4,991 million for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Sales from products represented approximately 57% of consolidated net sales for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, compared to 56% for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Sales from products declined by: (1) $131 million related to the divestiture of MSI, (2) $111 million for Aircraft Systems due primarily to unfavorable contract performance adjustments on international head-of-state aircraft modification contracts and lower volume to the USAF from the DoD’s planned reduction of the Compass Call aircraft fleet and the DoD’s retirement of the JCA, (3) $67 million related to foreign currency exchange rate changes, (4) $52 million for Space & Power Systems due to lower volume and reduced deliveries on lower demand for satellite command and control software for U.S. Government agencies, power devices for commercial satellites and high frequency radios for a foreign government and (5) $23 million for Warrior Systems due to temporarily suspended shipments of holographic weapon sights for most of the 2015 second quarter in connection with a product specification matter, and lower volume for night vision goggles and precision targeting equipment. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of: (1) $107 million primarily for large ISR aircraft systems for U.S. Government customers and small ISR aircraft systems to the DoD and a foreign government and (2) $47 million primarily due to a higher mix of product sales for Broadband Communication Systems.

Sales from services decreased by $363 million to $3,562 million for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, compared to $3,925 million for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Sales from services represented approximately 43% of consolidated net sales for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, compared to 44% for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Sales from services declined by: (1) $158 million for NSS, primarily related to reduced tasking for technical support services for a U.S. Government agency due to defense budget reductions, and lower demand for intelligence support services driven by the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan and completed contracts, (2) $51 million related to the MSI and BSI business divestitures, (3) $48 million due to a lower mix of services sales for Broadband Communication Systems, (4) $47 million primarily related to lower volume for small ISR aircraft fleet management services to the DoD due to the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan, and (5) $43

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million related to lower volume for field maintenance and sustainment services, primarily for U.S. Navy aircraft due to completed contracts and lower demand and lower prices due to competitive pressures. The remaining decrease in sales of $16 million was primarily due to foreign currency exchange rate changes. See the reportable segment results below for additional discussion of our segment sales trends.

Operating income and operating margin: Consolidated operating income for the 2015 Third Quarter decreased by $471 million, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter, to an operating loss of $214 million. Segment operating income for the 2015 Third Quarter increased $29 million, or 11%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Segment operating margin increased by 150 basis points to 10.2% for the 2015 Third Quarter compared to 8.7% for the 2014 Third Quarter. Segment operating margin increased by: (1) 90 basis points due to $24 million of outside accounting and legal advisory expenses incurred in the 2014 Third Quarter for the internal review of the Aerospace Systems segment (Internal Review) completed in October 2014, (2) 70 basis points due to favorable contract performance adjustments for the ISR Systems sector in the Aerospace Systems segment, (3) 40 basis points due to the divestitures of MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line and (4) 10 basis points due to sales mix changes. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of 60 basis points due to higher pension expense of $18 million. See the reportable segment results below for additional discussion of sales and operating margin trends.

Consolidated operating income for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased $630 million, or 81%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Segment operating income for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $110 million, or 14%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Segment operating margin decreased by 70 basis points to 8.1% for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period compared to 8.8% for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Segment operating margin decreased by: (1) 60 basis points due to unfavorable contract performance adjustments at the Aerospace Systems segment, (2) 60 basis points due to higher pension expense of $46 million, (3) 10 basis points due to lower sales and mix changes and (4) 10 basis points related to a product specification matter in the Electronic Systems segment. Improved contract performance in Communication Systems and Electronic Systems increased segment operating margin by 40 basis points. Operating margin increased by 30 basis points due to $24 million of outside accounting and legal advisory expenses incurred in 2014 for the Internal Review completed in October 2014. See the reportable segment results below for additional discussion of sales and operating margin trends.

Interest Expense: Interest expense of $47 million in the 2015 Third Quarter remained the same compared to the 2014 Third Quarter.

Interest expense in the 2015 Year-to-Date Period increased by $10 million compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period due to the issuance of $1 billion in new debt on May 28, 2014, partially offset by the redemption of our 3% Convertible Contingent Debt Securities in June 2014.

Effective income tax rate: The effective income tax rate for the 2015 Third Quarter is not meaningful because we reported a pre-tax loss and income tax expense during the period due to the goodwill impairment charge. The marginal income tax rate on the goodwill impairment charge relating to the NSS segment was 6% because a significant portion of the NSS goodwill is not deductible for tax. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge and related income tax benefit, the effective income tax rate for the 2015 Third Quarter would have increased to 28.3% compared to 27.0%, primarily due to higher pre-tax income and state income tax expense.

The effective income tax rate for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period is not meaningful because income tax expense was greater than pre-tax income during the period due to the goodwill impairment charge. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge and related income tax benefit, the effective income tax rate for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period would have decreased to 22.3%, compared to 29.5% for the same period last year primarily due to $36 million of tax benefits recorded in the second quarter of 2015, including: (1) $17 million of foreign tax benefits related to a legal restructuring of our foreign entities, (2) a $10 million benefit related to the resolution of various outstanding income tax matters with U.S. and foreign tax authorities and (3) $9 million related to deferred tax benefits.

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Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 and diluted (loss) earnings per share (EPS): Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 in the 2015 Third Quarter decreased by $453 million to a loss of $299 million, compared to income of $154 million in the 2014 Third Quarter. Diluted EPS decreased by $5.52 to a loss of $3.74 from $1.78 in the 2014 Third Quarter.

Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 in the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $535 million to a loss of $74 million, compared to income of $461 million in the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Diluted EPS decreased by $6.12 to a loss of $0.91 from $5.21 in the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 and diluted (loss) EPS were affected by the factors discussed herein.

Adjusted net income attributable to L-3 and adjusted diluted EPS: Adjusted net income attributable to L-3 increased 10% to $170 million compared to the 2014 Third Quarter, and adjusted diluted EPS increased 17% to $2.09.

Adjusted net income attributable to L-3 decreased 12% to $407 million compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period, and adjusted diluted EPS decreased 6% to $4.92. Adjusted net income attributable to L-3 and adjusted diluted EPS were affected by the factors discussed herein.

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The table below presents a reconciliation of net income attributable to L-3 to adjusted net income attributable to L-3 and diluted EPS to adjusted diluted EPS.

	Third Quarter Ended					Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	154	$	(74	)	$	461
Loss on business divestitures		6			—		4			—
Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale		—			—		12			—
Loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from the MSI divestiture		—			—		2			—
Goodwill impairment charge		463			—		463			—
Adjusted net income attributable to L-3(1)	$	170		$	154	$	407		$	461
Diluted EPS attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common stockholders	$	(3.74	)	$	1.78	$	(0.91	)	$	5.21
EPS impact of loss on business divestitures(A)		0.08			—		0.05			—
EPS impact of the non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale(B)		—			—		0.15			—
EPS impact of the loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from the MSI divestiture(C)		—			—		0.02			—
EPS impact of the goodwill impairment charge(D)		5.79			—		5.68			—
Dilutive impact of common share equivalents(2)		(0.04	)		—		(0.07	)		—
Adjusted diluted EPS(1)	$	2.09		$	1.78	$	4.92		$	5.21
(A)        Loss on business divestitures	$	(9	)	$	—	$	(8	)	$	—
Tax benefit		3			—		4			—
After-tax impact		(6	)		—		(4	)		—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			—		81.5			—
Per share impact	$	(0.08	)	$	—	$	(0.05	)	$	—
(B)        Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale	$	—		$	—	$	(17	)	$	—
Tax benefit		—			—		5			—
After-tax impact		—			—		(12	)		—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		—			—		81.5			—
Per share impact	$	—		$	—	$	(0.15	)	$	—
(C)        Loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from the MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—	$	(4	)	$	—
Tax benefit		—			—		2			—
After-tax impact		—			—		(2	)		—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		—			—		81.5			—
Per share impact	$	—		$	—	$	(0.02	)	$	—
(D)        Goodwill impairment charge	$	(491	)	$	—	$	(491	)	$	—
Tax benefit		28			—		28			—
After-tax impact		(463	)		—		(463	)		—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			—		81.5			—
Per share impact	$	(5.79	)	$	—	$	(5.68	)	$	—

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted diluted EPS is diluted EPS attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common stockholders, excluding the charges or credits relating to business divestitures and non-cash goodwill impairment charges. Adjusted net income attributable to L-3 is net income attributable to L-3, excluding the charges or credits relating to business divestitures and non-cash goodwill impairment charges. These amounts are not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). We believe that the charges or credits relating to business divestitures and non-cash goodwill impairment charges affect the comparability of the results of operations for 2015 to the results of operations for 2014. We also believe that disclosing net income and diluted EPS excluding the charges or credits relating to business divestitures and non-cash goodwill impairment charges will allow investors to more easily compare the 2015 results to the 2014 results. However, these measures may not be defined or calculated by other companies in the same manner.

⁽²⁾ Adjusted diluted EPS was computed using adjusted diluted weighted average common shares outstanding of 81.2 million shares for the 2015 Third Quarter and 82.7 million shares for the 2015 Year-To-Date Period. Adjusted diluted weighted average shares outstanding includes 1.2 million common share equivalents relating to shares for stock options, restricted stock awards, employee stock plan contributions and performance unit awards, which are excluded from diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the 2015 Third Quarter and 2015 Year-To-Date Period as they are anti-dilutive.

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Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding: Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the 2015 Third Quarter and 2015 Year-to-Date Period declined by 8% compared to the same periods last year. The decline was primarily due to repurchases of L-3 common stock in connection with our share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors.

Reportable Segment Results of Operations

The table below presents selected data by reportable segment reconciled to consolidated totals. See Note 21 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report for additional reportable segment data.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(dollars in millions)
Net sales:(1)
Electronic Systems	$	982		$	1,106		$	3,027		$	3,286
Aerospace Systems		1,066			1,035			3,087			3,169
Communication Systems		505			493			1,441			1,516
NSS		264			306			768			945
Consolidated net sales	$	2,817		$	2,940		$	8,323		$	8,916
Operating income (loss):
Electronic Systems	$	123		$	125		$	356		$	383
Aerospace Systems		103			64			148			196
Communication Systems		53			49			140			147
NSS		7			19			28			56
Total segment operating income	$	286		$	257		$	672		$	782
Loss related to business divestitures		(9	)		—			(29	)		—
Goodwill impairment charge		(491	)		—			(491	)		—
Consolidated operating (loss) income	$	(214	)	$	257		$	152		$	782
Operating margin:
Electronic Systems		12.5	%		11.3	%		11.8	%		11.7	%
Aerospace Systems		9.7	%		6.2	%		4.8	%		6.2	%
Communication Systems		10.5	%		9.9	%		9.7	%		9.7	%
NSS		2.7	%		6.2	%		3.6	%		5.9	%
Total segment operating margin		10.2	%		8.7	%		8.1	%		8.8	%
Loss related to business divestitures		(0.3	)%		—			(0.4	)%		—
Goodwill impairment charge		(17.5	)%		—			(5.9	)%		—
Consolidated operating margin		(7.6	)%		8.7	%		1.8	%		8.8	%

⁽¹⁾  Net sales after intercompany eliminations.

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Electronic Systems

	Third Quarter Ended									Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Increase/ (decrease)			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Increase/ (decrease)
(dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	982		$	1,106			(11.2	)%	$	3,027		$	3,286			(7.9	)%
Operating income	$	123		$	125			(1.6	)%	$	356		$	383			(7.0	)%
Operating margin		12.5	%		11.3	%		120	bpts		11.8	%		11.7	%		10	bpts

Electronic Systems net sales for the 2015 Third Quarter decreased by $124 million, or 11%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. The divestitures of MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line reduced sales by $125 million and the CTC acquisition increased sales by $19 million. Organic sales declined 2%, or $18 million, primarily for Precision Engagement and Training due to the completion of contracts for commercial flight simulators to international customers.

Electronic Systems operating income for the 2015 Third Quarter decreased by $2 million, or 2%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Operating margin increased by 120 basis points to 12.5%. Operating margin increased by: (1) 100 basis points due to the divestitures of MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line, which generated lower operating margins than the remainder of the Electronic Systems segment and (2) 50 basis points primarily for favorable contract performance adjustments. These increases were partially offset by 30 basis points due to higher pension expense of $3 million. Severance expense for the 2015 Third Quarter was $2 million, compared to less than $1 million for the 2014 Third Quarter.

Electronic Systems net sales for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $259 million, or 8%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. The divestitures of MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line reduced sales by $187 million, and the CTC acquisition increased sales by $25 million. Organic sales declined 3%, or $97 million, including: (1) $74 million due to foreign currency exchange rate changes and (2) $23 million primarily related to reduced sales at Warrior Systems due to temporarily suspended shipments of holographic weapon sights for most of the quarter ended June 26, 2015 in connection with a product specification matter, and lower volume for night vision goggles and precision targeting equipment.

Electronic Systems operating income for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $27 million, or 7%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Operating margin increased by 10 basis points to 11.8%. Operating margin increased by: (1) 50 basis points due to the divestitures of MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line, which generated lower operating margins than the remainder of the Electronic Systems segment, (2) 40 basis points for favorable contract performance adjustments and (3) 30 basis points due to lower severance expense of $10 million. Severance expense for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period was $4 million, compared to $14 million for the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. These increases were partially offset by decreases of: (1) 30 basis points due to higher pension expense of $9 million, (2) 30 basis points due to an increased provision of $8 million during the quarter ended June 26, 2015 in anticipation of a settlement with the U.S. Government related to a product specification matter, (3) 30 basis points for sales mix changes and (4) 20 basis points due to a $6 million charge during the quarter ended June 26, 2015 related to an adverse arbitration ruling to resolve a dispute for the termination of a supply arrangement in the Aviation Products & Security business.

Aerospace Systems

	Third Quarter Ended									Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Increase			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Decrease
(dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	1,066		$	1,035			3.0	%	$	3,087		$	3,169			(2.6	)%
Operating income	$	103		$	64			60.9	%	$	148		$	196			(24.5	)%
Operating margin		9.7	%		6.2	%		350	bpts		4.8	%		6.2	%		(140	) bpts

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Aerospace Systems net sales for the 2015 Third Quarter increased by $31 million, or 3%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Sales increased $35 million for ISR Systems and $8 million for Aircraft Systems. Sales for Logistics Solutions decreased by $12 million. Sales increased for ISR Systems due to higher volume of $45 million for large ISR aircraft systems for U.S. Government customers and small ISR aircraft systems to the DoD, partially offset by $10 million of lower sales for small ISR aircraft fleet management services primarily to the DoD due to the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan. Sales increased for Aircraft Systems by $20 million due to higher volume for foreign military aircraft modification contracts, including $16 million for the Australian C-27J aircraft, partially offset by $12 million of lower sales primarily to the USAF from the DoD’s planned reduction of the Compass Call aircraft fleet and the DoD’s retirement of the JCA. The decrease in sales for Logistics Solutions was due to lower volume for field maintenance and sustainment services, primarily for U.S. Navy aircraft due to the completion of contracts and lower demand and lower prices due to competitive pressures.

Aerospace Systems operating income for the 2015 Third Quarter increased by $39 million, or 61%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Operating margin increased by 350 basis points to 9.7%. Operating margin increased by: (1) 160 basis points due to favorable contract performance adjustments at ISR Systems and (2) 140 basis points for improved performance on the Army C-12 contract, due to better terms on the new contract which began August 1, 2015, and $8 million due to a partial recovery of cost overruns recognized in prior periods on the previous contract that ended on July 31, 2015. These increases were partially offset by 110 basis points primarily for reduced flight hours and lower pricing due to competitive pressures on logistics and maintenance contracts, including the U.S. Navy T-45 contract and 70 basis points due to higher pension expense of $7 million. Operating margin also increased by 230 basis points, due to $24 million of outside accounting and legal advisory expenses incurred during the 2014 Third Quarter for the Internal Review completed in October 2014.

Aerospace Systems net sales for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $82 million, or 3%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Sales decreased $99 million for Aircraft Systems and $43 million for Logistic Solutions. Sales for ISR Systems increased by $60 million. Sales decreased for Aircraft Systems due to lower volume of: (1) $60 million primarily to the USAF from the DoD’s planned reduction of the Compass Call aircraft fleet and the DoD’s retirement of the JCA and (2) $59 million on international head-of-state aircraft modification contracts primarily due to unfavorable contract performance adjustments. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $20 million primarily due to higher volume for foreign military aircraft modification contracts. The decrease in sales for Logistics Solutions was due to lower volume for field maintenance and sustainment services, primarily for U.S. Navy aircraft due to the completion of contracts and lower demand and lower prices due to competitive pressures. The increase in ISR Systems was due to an increase in sales of $152 million primarily from higher volume for large ISR aircraft systems for U.S. Government customers and small ISR aircraft systems to the DoD and a foreign government, partially offset by $92 million of lower sales for small ISR aircraft fleet management services to the DoD due to the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan.

Aerospace Systems operating income for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $48 million, or 25%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Operating margin decreased by 140 basis points to 4.8%. Operating margin decreased by: (1) 310 basis points due to contract performance adjustments at Aircraft Systems, which includes $101 million of cost growth on international head-of-state aircraft modification contracts, compared to $15 million of cost growth on the same contracts in the 2014 Year-to-Date Period, (2) 70 basis points due to higher pension expense of $20 million and (3) 60 basis points primarily due to reduced flight hours and lower pricing due to competitive pressures on logistics and maintenance contracts, including the U.S. Navy T-45 contract. These decreases were partially offset by: (1) 160 basis points due to favorable contract performance adjustments at ISR Systems, (2) 80 basis points due to $24 million of outside accounting and legal advisory expenses incurred for the Internal Review completed in October 2014 and (3) 60 basis points due to a $17 million increase in reserves for excess and obsolete inventory at Logistics Solutions recorded during the 2014 Year-to-Date Period, which did not recur.

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Communication Systems

	Third Quarter Ended									Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Increase			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Decrease
(dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	505		$	493			2.4	%	$	1,441		$	1,516			(4.9	)%
Operating income	$	53		$	49			8.2	%	$	140		$	147			(4.8	)%
Operating margin		10.5	%		9.9	%		60	bpts		9.7	%		9.7	%		—	bpts

Communication Systems net sales for the 2015 Third Quarter increased by $12 million, or 2%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. The Miteq acquisition increased sales by $13 million. Organic sales declined by $1 million for the 2015 Third Quarter due to reduced sales to the U.S. DoD, partially offset by an increase of $31 million on a new contract for satellite communication systems to the ADF.

Communication Systems operating income for the 2015 Third Quarter increased by $4 million, or 8%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Operating margin increased by 60 basis points to 10.5%. Sales mix changes increased operating margin by 140 basis points. A $3 million settlement relating to the resolution of a dispute with a supplier increased operating margin by 60 basis points. Higher pension expense of $7 million decreased operating margin by 140 basis points.

Communication Systems net sales for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $75 million, or 5%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period due to lower volume and reduced deliveries on lower demand. The Miteq acquisition increased sales by $41 million. Organic sales declined by $116 million, or 8%, including: (1) $52 million for Space & Power Systems, primarily satellite command and control software for U.S. Government agencies, power devices for commercial satellites and high frequency radios for a foreign government, (2) $40 million for Advanced Communications products, primarily data recorders and secure communications equipment for the U.S. military as contracts near completion and (3) $24 million primarily for Tactical Satellite Communications products, primarily mobile and ground-based satellite communication systems for the U.S. military, partially offset by sales on a new contract for satellite communication systems to the ADF.

Communication Systems operating income for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $7 million, or 5%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Operating margin remained at 9.7% compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date-Period. Operating margin decreased by 110 basis points due to higher pension expense of $16 million. Improved contract performance, partially offset by lower sales and mix changes, increased operating margin by 110 basis points.

NSS

	Third Quarter Ended									Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Decrease			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Decrease
(dollars in millions)
Net sales	$	264		$	306			(13.7	)%	$	768		$	945			(18.7	)%
Operating income	$	7		$	19			(63.2	)%	$	28		$	56			(50.0	)%
Operating margin		2.7	%		6.2	%		(350	) bpts		3.6	%		5.9	%		(230	) bpts

NSS net sales for the 2015 Third Quarter decreased by $42 million, or 14%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Sales decreased due to lower volume of: (1) $29 million for Defense Solutions primarily due to lower material requirements on a systems and software sustainment contract with the U.S. Army, and lower demand driven by the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan and completed contracts, (2) $8 million for Global Solutions primarily due to completed contracts and (3) $5 million primarily for Data Tactics Corporation due to lower demand on U.S. Government contracts for software and systems support.

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NSS operating income for the 2015 Third Quarter decreased by $12 million, or 63%, compared to the 2014 Third Quarter. Operating margin decreased by 350 basis points to 2.7%. Operating margin decreased by: (1) 140 basis points due to a $4 million charge related to a write-down of excess inventory, (2) 130 basis points primarily due to lower margins on new business and recompetitions caused by competitive pricing pressures, (3) 50 basis points primarily due to lower sales and higher overhead rates caused by delayed contract awards for commercial contracts and (4) 40 basis points due to higher pension expense of $1 million. These decreases were partially offset by 10 basis points due to higher award fees for intelligence contracts.

NSS net sales for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $177 million, or 19%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Sales decreased due to trends similar to the 2015 Third Quarter and due to lower sales for Intelligence Solutions related to reduced tasking for technical support services for a U.S. Government Agency because of defense budget reductions. The decrease in sales at NSS was partially offset by $5 million of sales related to the Data Tactics Corporation acquisition.

NSS operating income for the 2015 Year-to-Date Period decreased by $28 million, or 50%, compared to the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. Operating margin decreased by 230 basis points to 3.6% due to: (1) 120 basis points due to lower sales and higher overhead expense rates caused by delayed contract awards for international and commercial contracts, (2) 100 basis points primarily due to lower margins on new business and recompetitions caused by competitive pricing pressures, (3) 50 basis points due to a $4 million charge related to a write-down of excess inventory and (4) 10 basis points due to higher pension expense of $1 million. These decreases were partially offset by 50 basis points due to higher award fees for intelligence and defense contracts.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Anticipated Sources and Uses of Cash Flow

At September 25, 2015, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $323 million as compared to $442 million at December 31, 2014. While no amounts of the cash and cash equivalents are considered restricted, $161 million of cash was held by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries at September 25, 2015. The repatriation of cash held in non-U.S. jurisdictions is subject to local capital requirements, as well as income tax considerations. Our primary source of liquidity is cash flow generated from operations and our cash on hand. We generated $631 million of cash from operating activities during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period. Significant cash uses during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period included $605 million to repurchase shares of our common stock, $260 million related to the L-3 CTC and Miteq business acquisitions, $163 million related to dividends and $140 million related to capital expenditures. Additionally, L-3 received net cash proceeds of $308 million for the MSI, BSI and Tinsley divestitures.

As of September 25, 2015, we had the full availability of our $1 billion Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (“Credit Facility”), which expires on February 3, 2017. We currently believe that our cash from operating activities generated during the year, together with our cash on hand, and available borrowings under our Credit Facility will be adequate for the foreseeable future to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, defined benefit plan contributions, commitments, contingencies, research and development expenditures, business acquisitions (depending on the size), program and other discretionary investments, interest payments, income tax payments, L-3 Holdings’ dividends and share repurchases.

Balance Sheet

Billed receivables decreased by $56 million to $796 million at September 25, 2015, from $852 million at December 31, 2014 primarily due to: (1) the timing of billings and collections for Precision Engagement & Training and Tactical Satellite Communications, (2) $14 million for foreign currency translation adjustments, and (3) $11 million from the MSI, BSI, and Tinsley divestitures. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $17 million from the L-3 CTC and Miteq business acquisitions.

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Contracts in process increased by $188 million to $2,483 million at September 25, 2015, from $2,295 million at December 31, 2014. During the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, contracts in process increased by $51 million primarily from the L-3 CTC and Miteq business acquisitions, and $165 million comprised of:

• Increases of $150 million in unbilled contract receivables primarily due to sales exceeding billings for ISR Systems, Precision Engagement & Training, and Propulsion Systems, partially offset by a decrease for Broadband Communications Systems primarily due to higher billings relating to product shipments and

• Increases of $15 million in inventoried contract costs primarily due to the timing of deliveries for Warrior Systems.

These increases were partially offset by $19 million for foreign currency translation adjustments, and $9 million from the MSI, BSI, and Tinsley divestitures.

L-3’s receivables days sales outstanding (DSO) was 77 at September 25, 2015, compared with 71 at December 31, 2014 and 72 at September 26, 2014. We calculate our DSO by dividing: (1) our aggregate end of period billed receivables and net unbilled contract receivables, by (2) our trailing 12 month sales adjusted, on a pro forma basis, to include sales from business acquisitions and exclude sales from business divestitures that we completed as of the end of the period, multiplied by the number of calendar days in the trailing 12 month period (364 days at September 25, 2015, 365 days at December 31, 2014 and 364 days at September 26, 2014). Our trailing 12 month pro forma sales were $11,233 million at September 25, 2015, $11,598 million at December 31, 2014 and $12,174 million at September 26, 2014. The increase in DSO during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period was primarily due to an increase in net unbilled contract receivables, which is discussed above.

Inventories increased by $86 million to $374 million at September 25, 2015, from $288 million at December 31, 2014, primarily due to $16 million of acquired inventories from the Miteq business acquisition and for Aviation Products & Security Systems, Warrior Systems and Space & Power Systems to support customer demand.

The decrease in assets and liabilities held for sale was due to the divestiture of MSI on May 29, 2015.

Goodwill decreased by $389 million to $7,112 million at September 25, 2015 from $7,501 million at December 31, 2014. The table below presents the changes in goodwill by segment.

	Electronic Systems			Aerospace Systems			Communication Systems		NSS			Consolidated Total
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,773		$	1,730		$	992	$	1,006		$	7,501
Business acquisitions(1)		177			—			11		—			188
Business divestitures(2)		(12	)		—			—		—			(12	)
Impairment loss(3)		—			—			—		(491	)		(491	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments(4)		(43	)		(31	)		—		—			(74	)
Balance at September 25, 2015	$	3,895		$	1,699		$	1,003	$	515		$	7,112

⁽¹⁾  The increase in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the L-3 CTC business acquisition. The increase in goodwill for the Communication Systems segment was due to the Miteq business acquisition.

⁽²⁾  The decrease in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the divestitures of BSI and the Tinsley Product Line.

⁽³⁾  See Note 7 for a discussion of the NSS goodwill impairment loss recorded during the 2015 Third Quarter.

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⁽⁴⁾  The decrease in goodwill presented in the Electronic Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Euro and the Australian dollar during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period. The decrease in goodwill presented in the Aerospace Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period.

The increase in identifiable intangible assets was primarily due to $42 million of intangible assets recognized for the L-3 CTC and Miteq business acquisitions, partially offset by amortization expense.

The fluctuations in accounts payable and accrued expenses were primarily due to the timing of when invoices for purchases from third party vendors and subcontractors were received and payments were made.

Accrued employment costs increased primarily due to an increase in accrued salaries and wages due to the timing of payroll dates at the end of the 2015 Third Quarter compared to the end of 2014.

The increase in advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred was primarily due to $64 million of acquired balances from the L-3 CTC and Miteq business acquisitions, advance payments received on a multi-year contract for Aviation Products & Security and revenue adjustments related to unfavorable contract performance on international head-of-state aircraft modification contracts. These increases were partially offset by the liquidation of balances on contracts for Sensor Systems and Power & Propulsion Systems and foreign currency translation adjustments.

The decrease in pension and postretirement benefit plan liabilities was due to cash contributions exceeding pension expense (excluding amortization of net losses) during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period. We expect to contribute approximately $98 million to our pension plans in 2015, of which $80 million was contributed during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period.

Statement of Cash Flows

2015 Year-to-Date Period Compared with 2014 Year-to-Date Period

The table below provides a summary of our cash flows from (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated.

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			Cash Flow Increase/ (Decrease)
	(in millions)
Net cash from operating activities	$	631		$	605		$	26
Net cash used in investing activities		(86	)		(162	)		76
Net cash used in financing activities		(711	)		(426	)		(285	)

Operating Activities

We generated $631 million of cash from operating activities during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, an increase of $26 million compared with $605 million during the 2014 Year-to-Date Period. The increase was due to less cash used for changes in operating assets and liabilities as a result of a lower increase in working capital primarily related to accounts payable, partially offset by lower net income. See the discussion above under “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Balance Sheet” for additional information on changes in operating assets and liabilities.

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Investing Activities

During the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, we used $86 million of net cash in investing activities, which included $260 million for the acquisitions of L-3 CTC and Miteq and $140 million for capital expenditures, partially offset by $308 million of net proceeds received from the MSI, BSI and Tinsley divestitures. The 2014 Year-to-Date Period included $115 million for capital expenditures and $57 million for the acquisition of L-3 Data Tactics.

Financing Activities

Debt

At September 25, 2015, total outstanding debt was $3,940 million, compared to $3,939 million at December 31, 2014, all of which was senior debt. At September 25, 2015, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under our $1 billion Credit Facility, and we had the full availability of our $1 billion facility for future borrowings. We also had $447 million of outstanding standby letters of credit with financial institutions covering performance and financial guarantees per contractual requirements with certain customers at September 25, 2015. These standby letters of credit may be drawn upon in the event that we do not perform on certain of our contractual requirements. At September 25, 2015, our outstanding debt matures between November 15, 2016 and May 28, 2024. See Note 9 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report for the components of our debt at September 25, 2015.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, we anticipate using cash on hand to repay approximately $300 million of outstanding debt.

On February 24, 2015, Moody’s changed our rating outlook to negative from stable and affirmed our Baa3 senior unsecured rating. On April 29, 2015, Standard and Poor’s also changed our rating outlook to negative from stable and affirmed our BBB- senior unsecured rating. On May 6, 2015, Fitch affirmed our stable outlook and BBB- senior unsecured rating. We consider our credit rating as an important element of our capital allocation strategy.

Debt Covenants and Other Provisions. The Credit Facility and Senior Notes contain financial and/or other restrictive covenants. See Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a description of our debt, related financial covenants and cross default provisions. As of September 25, 2015, we were in compliance with our financial and other restrictive covenants.

Guarantees. The borrowings under the Credit Facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by L-3 Holdings and by substantially all of the material 100% owned domestic subsidiaries of L-3 Communications on an unsecured senior basis. The payment of principal and premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on an unsecured senior basis, jointly and severally, by L-3 Communications’ material 100% owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee any of its other indebtedness. The guarantees of the Credit Facility and the Senior Notes rank pari passu with each other.

Equity

Repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock, under the share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors, are made from time to time at management’s discretion, in accordance with applicable U.S. Federal securities laws. The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including our financial position, earnings, legal requirements, other investment opportunities (including acquisitions), market conditions and other factors. All share repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock have been recorded as treasury shares.

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The table below presents our repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period.

	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share		Treasury Stock
					(at cost in millions)
January 1 — March 27, 2015		788,189	$	127.36	$	100
March 28 — June 26, 2015		2,081,719	$	118.05	$	246
June 27 — September 25, 2015		2,302,000	$	112.52	$	259

At September 25, 2015, the remaining dollar value under share repurchase programs authorized by L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors was $940 million. From September 26, 2015 through October 23, 2015, L-3 Holdings repurchased 702,650 shares of its common stock at an average price of $106.70 per share for an aggregate amount of $75 million.

During the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors authorized the quarterly cash dividends in the table below.

Date Declared	Record Date		Cash Dividend Per Share		Total Cash Dividends Declared			Date Paid
					(in millions)
February 10, 2015		March 2, 2015	$	0.65	$	55	(1)		March 16, 2015
May 5, 2015		May 18, 2015	$	0.65	$	54	(1)		June 15, 2015
June 10, 2015		August 17, 2015	$	0.65	$	53	(1)		September 15, 2015

⁽¹⁾  During the 2015 Year-to-Date Period, we paid $163 million of cash dividends, including a $1 million net reduction of accrued dividends for employee held stock awards.

On October 20, 2015, L-3 Holdings Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per share, payable on December 15, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 16, 2015.

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies

For a discussion of legal proceedings and contingencies that could impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, see Note 17 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the matters discussed in this report, including information regarding the Company’s 2015 financial outlook, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than historical facts may be forward-looking statements, such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. We caution investors that these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following: our dependence on the defense industry; backlog processing and program slips resulting from delayed awards and/or funding from the DoD and other major customers; the U.S. Government fiscal situation; changes in DoD budget levels and spending priorities; U.S. Government failure to raise the debt ceiling; our reliance on contracts with a limited number of customers and the possibility of termination of government contracts by unilateral government action or for failure to perform; the extensive legal and regulatory requirements surrounding many of our contracts; our ability to retain our existing business and related

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contracts; our ability to successfully compete for and win new business; or, identify, acquire and integrate additional businesses; our ability to maintain and improve our operating margin; the availability of government funding and changes in customer requirements for our products and services; our significant amount of debt and the restrictions contained in our debt agreements and actions taken by rating agencies that could result in a downgrade of our debt; our ability to continue to recruit, retain and train our employees; actual future interest rates, volatility and other assumptions used in the determination of pension benefits and equity based compensation, as well as the market performance of benefit plan assets; our collective bargaining agreements, our ability to successfully negotiate contracts with labor unions and our ability to favorably resolve labor disputes should they arise; the business, economic and political conditions in the markets in which we operate; global economic uncertainty; the DoD’s Better Buying Power and other efficiency initiatives; events beyond our control such as acts of terrorism; our ability to perform contracts on schedule; cost growth on contract estimates; our international operations; our extensive use of fixed-price type revenue arrangements; the rapid change of technology and high level of competition in which our businesses participate; risks relating to technology and data security; our introduction of new products into commercial markets or our investments in civil and commercial products or companies; the outcome of litigation matters; results of audits by U.S. Government agencies and of ongoing governmental investigations, including the internal review of the Aerospace Systems segment; the impact on our business of improper conduct by our employees, agents or business partners; goodwill impairments and the fair values of our assets; the ultimate resolution of contingent matters, claims and investigations relating to acquired businesses, and the impact on the final purchase price allocations.

In addition, for a discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could impair our results of operations or financial condition, see “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors” and “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and any material updates to these factors contained in any of our future filings.

Readers of this document are cautioned that our forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.

As for the forward-looking statements that relate to future financial results and other projections, actual results will be different due to the inherent uncertainties of estimates, forecasts and projections and may be better or worse than projected and such differences could be material. Given these uncertainties, you should not place any reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements also represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date that they were made. We expressly disclaim a duty to provide updates to these forward-looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions associated with them, after the date of this filing, to reflect events or changes in circumstances or changes in expectations or the occurrence of anticipated events.

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ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Derivative Financial Instruments and Other Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a discussion of our exposure to market risks. There were no material changes to our disclosure about market risks during the 2015 Year-to-Date Period. See Notes 14 and 16 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report for the aggregate fair values and notional amounts of our foreign currency forward contracts at September 25, 2015.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 related to L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chairman and chief executive officer and our senior vice president and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

Our chairman and chief executive officer and our senior vice president and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 25, 2015. Based upon that evaluation, our chairman and chief executive officer and our senior vice president and chief financial officer concluded that, as of September 25, 2015, the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level due to the existence of the material weaknesses discussed below. The material weaknesses were identified in connection with the internal review of our Aerospace Systems segment, which is discussed in “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Internal Review of Aerospace Systems segment and Related Matters” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The review was completed in October 2014.

Notwithstanding the material weaknesses described below, management has concluded that the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods covered by and included in this Form 10-Q are fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America for each of the periods presented herein.

Description of Material Weaknesses

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Based on our assessment, management identified the following material weaknesses in its ICFR.

1. The Company did not maintain an effective control environment at its Aerospace Systems segment due to: (a) the inadequate execution of existing controls related to the annual review and approval of contract (revenue arrangement) estimates, (b) not following established Company accounting policies,

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controls and procedures, (c) inadequate execution of existing controls related to the quarterly preparation, review and approval of contract (revenue arrangement) estimates at its Platform Integration division and (d) the intentional override of numerous transactional and monitoring internal controls at its Army Sustainment division, with regard to the: (i) valuation of inventories, unbilled contract receivables and billed receivables; (ii) preparation of contract invoices; (iii) preparation, review and approval of contract estimates; (iv) recognition of costs overruns on a fixed-price maintenance and logistics support contract; (v) review and analysis of division quarterly financial statements; (vi) physical counts of inventory; and (vii) preparation, review and approval of journal entries.

2. Company personnel did not perform reviews of certain employee concerns regarding violations of the Company’s accounting policies and ICFR in a sufficient and effective manner, including assigning those matters to the appropriate subject matter experts for resolution, and informing appropriate members of senior management and the audit committee about the nature of the concerns and the scope and results of the reviews.

The material weaknesses did not result in any material misstatements of the Company’s financial statements and disclosures for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, or 2012. However, these material weaknesses, if not remediated, could result in material misstatements to the Company’s annual financial statements or to its interim consolidated financial statements and related disclosures that would not be prevented or detected.

Remediation Plans for Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In response to these identified material weaknesses, our management, with oversight from our audit committee, is dedicating significant resources to improve our ICFR and to remediate the identified material weaknesses. These efforts are ongoing and are focused on strengthening the Company’s control environment and organizational structure and have included the following actions:

• During the third quarter of 2014, the Company terminated four employees at its Aerospace Systems segment and one employee at its Aerospace Systems segment resigned. The Company replaced its Aerospace Systems segment chief financial officer, the Logistics Solutions sector president, the Logistics Solutions sector general counsel, the Army Sustainment division president and the Army Sustainment Division vice president of finance at the time of the misconduct.

• The Company has enhanced and reinforced its quarterly and annual financial statement certification process for the Company’s Aerospace Systems segment and its divisions.

• During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company conducted re-training sessions for the financial management personnel at the Aerospace Systems segment and its divisions with regard to the Company’s accounting policies and ICFR for: (i) valuation of inventories, unbilled contract receivables and billed receivables; (ii) the preparation of contract invoices; (iii) the preparation, review and approval of contract estimates; (iv) the recognition of incurred costs on fixed-price service contracts; (v) review and analysis of division quarterly financial statements; (vi) physical counts of inventory; and (vii) preparation, review and approval of journal entries. This training was conducted by senior corporate and segment financial management.

• During the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first, second and third quarters of 2015, the Company’s corporate controllers office validated and reperformed, as appropriate, Aerospace Systems’ segment and its divisions’ compliance with the Company’s ICFR, including controls related to: (1) valuation of inventories, and unbilled and billed contract receivables, (2) preparation, review and approval of contract estimates, (3) account reconciliations, (4) revenue recognition, and (5) variance analyses. The Company expects to continue with these efforts until it is comfortable that these control deficiencies have been remediated.

• During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company appointed a new chief financial officer of the Logistics Solutions division.

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• Effective January 2, 2015, the Company also expanded the financial reporting leadership team at the Aerospace Systems segment by establishing and filling a controller position.

• During the second quarter of 2015, the Company replaced its Platform Integration division president, vice president of finance, vice president of engineering, vice president of operations and certain program management positions on the head-of-state contracts.

• The Company strengthened its procedures for the review of employee concerns regarding violations of the Company’s accounting policies and ICFR by designating senior employees to ensure that these concerns are reviewed in an effective manner. These procedures consisted of: (i) when appropriate, assigning these matters to subject matter experts for review and resolution, and (ii) informing the appropriate members of senior management and the audit committee on a timely basis about the nature, scope and results of such reviews. These senior employees report to the Company’s chief executive officer and the audit committee with respect to these monitoring activities.

• During the second quarter of 2015, the Company appointed a new vice president and corporate ethics officer.

We believe these actions will be effective in remediating the material weaknesses described above, and we will continue to devote significant time and attention to these remedial efforts. As of this filing we have completed a majority of our remediation activities to address the material weaknesses. Our testing to date indicates that the controls remediated are working as intended. However, our ICFR will not be considered effective until we complete the remediation and testing of all controls that address the material weaknesses, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2015. As we continuously work to improve our ICFR, we may take additional measures to address any weaknesses we may identify.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 25, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information required with respect to this item can be found in Note 17 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview and Outlook — Business Environment”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

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ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information about share repurchases made by L-3 Holdings of its common stock during the 2015 Third Quarter. Repurchases are made from time to time at management’s discretion in accordance with applicable U.S. Federal securities laws. All share repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock have been recorded as treasury shares.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)
							(in millions)
June 27 — July 31, 2015		726,180	$	115.99		726,180	$	1,115
August 1 — August 31, 2015		956,307	$	113.89		956,307	$	1,006
September 1 — September 25, 2015		619,513	$	106.33		619,513	$	940
Total		2,302,000	$	112.52		2,302,000

⁽¹⁾  The share repurchases described in the table above were made pursuant to the $1.5 billion share repurchase program authorized by L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors on December 4, 2014, which expires on June 30, 2017.

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

For a list of exhibits, see the Exhibit Index in this Form 10-Q.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
By:	/s/    Ralph G. D’Ambrosio
Title:	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer and Authorized Signatory)

Date: November 2, 2015

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits identified in parentheses below are on file with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference to such previous filings.

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibits
2.1	Distribution Agreement between L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. and Engility Holdings, Inc. dated as of July 16, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrants’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 28, 2012 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2013 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
3.2	Amended and Restated By-Laws of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2015 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
3.3	Certificate of Incorporation of L-3 Communications Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to L-3 Communications Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed on September 12, 1997 (File No. 333-31649)).
3.4	Amended and Restated By-Laws of L-3 Communications Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2007 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.1	Form of Common Stock Certificate of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 2010 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.2	Indenture dated as of October 2, 2009 among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Registrants’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2009 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.3	Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 3, 2012 among L-3 Communications Corporation, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, and the guarantors named therein to the Indenture dated as of October 2, 2009 among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrants’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.4	Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2010, among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 24, 2010 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.5	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 21, 2010, among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 24, 2010 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.6	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 7, 2011, among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2011 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).

69

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibits
4.7	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 22, 2011, among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 22, 2011 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.8	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 3, 2012, among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registrants’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
4.9	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2014, among L-3 Communications Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 28, 2014 (File Nos. 001-14141 and 333-46983)).
**11	L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share.
*12	Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
*31.1	Certification of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
*31.2	Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
*32	Section 1350 Certification.
***101.INS	XBRL Instance Document.
***101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
***101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
***101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
***101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
***101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Filed herewith.

** The information required in this exhibit is presented in Note 13 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 25, 2015 contained in this quarterly report in accordance with the provisions of ASC 260, Earnings Per Share.

*** Filed electronically with this report.

The agreement and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

70

EX-12

Exhibit 12

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

and L-3 Communications Corporation

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	($ in millions)
Earnings:
(Loss) income before income taxes	$	(258	)	$	215		$	24		$	667
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3	)		(3	)		(11	)		(9	)
(Loss) income before income taxes after noncontrolling interests	$	(261	)	$	212		$	13		$	658
Add:
Interest expense		46			46			134			125
Amortization of debt expense		1			1			5			4
Interest component of rent expense		11			11			33			32
(Loss) earnings	$	(203	)	$	270		$	185		$	819
Fixed charges:
Interest expense		46			46			134			125
Amortization of debt expense		1			1			5			4
Interest component of rent expense		11			11			33			32
Fixed charges	$	58		$	58		$	172		$	161
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a)		—			4.7	x		1.1	x		5.1	x

(a) In the third quarter ended September 25, 2015, the Company incurred losses from operations, and as a result, our earnings were insufficient to cover our fixed charges by $261 million.

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Michael T. Strianese, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2015 of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. and L-3 Communications Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrants as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrants’ other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrants and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrants, including their consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants’ most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants’ fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrants’ other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants’ auditors and the audit committee of the registrants’ board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants’ ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 2, 2015

/s/ Michael T. Strianese

Michael T. Strianese

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Ralph G. D’Ambrosio, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2015 of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. and L-3 Communications Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrants as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrants’ other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrants and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrants, including their consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants’ most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants’ fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrants’ other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants’ auditors and the audit committee of the registrants’ board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants’ ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 2, 2015

/s/ Ralph G. D’Ambrosio

Ralph G. D’Ambrosio

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (“L-3 Holdings”) and L-3 Communications Corporation (“L-3 Communications”; together with L-3 Holdings referred to as “L-3”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Michael T. Strianese, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Ralph G. D’Ambrosio, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, in each case, of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications, each certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of L-3.

Date: November 2, 2015

/s/ Michael T. Strianese	/s/ Ralph G. D’Ambrosio
Michael T. Strianese	Ralph G. D’Ambrosio
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Long-Term Debt and Reconciliation to Carrying Amount of Long-Term Debt

The components of long-term debt and a reconciliation to the carrying amount of long-term debt are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
L-3 Communications:
Borrowings under Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility(1)	$	—		$	—
3.95% Senior Notes due 2016		500			500
1.50% Senior Notes due 2017		350			350
5.20% Senior Notes due 2019		1,000			1,000
4.75% Senior Notes due 2020		800			800
4.95% Senior Notes due 2021		650			650
3.95% Senior Notes due 2024		650			650
Principal amount of long-term debt		3,950			3,950
Unamortized discounts		(10	)		(11	)
Carrying amount of long-term debt	$	3,940		$	3,939

⁽¹⁾  During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, L-3 Communications’ aggregate borrowings and repayments under the Credit Facility were each $861 million. At September 25, 2015, L-3 Communications had the full availability of its $1 billion Credit Facility, which expires on February 3, 2017.

XML

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	May. 29, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 26, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 13, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2015 USD ($)	May. 29, 2015 EUR (€)	May. 27, 2015 USD ($)	May. 27, 2015 GBP (£)	Apr. 24, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2015 EUR (€) € / $	Jan. 21, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 04, 2014 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount of goodwill recognized		$ 7,112			$ 7,112									$ 7,501
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture		(9)			(29)
Impairment loss of assets held for sale		491			491
Broadcast Sports International, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sale of business, base sales price											$ 26
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture		$ (1)			(4)
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture after income taxes					(6)
MSI [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sale of business, base sales price	$ 318							€ 295
Estimated employee pension related liabilities | €								€ 60
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture	$ (4)		$ 4		4
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture after income taxes			8
Impairment loss of assets held for sale				$ 17	17
Impairment loss of assets held for sale after income taxes				12
Unrealized loss related to business divestiture after income taxes				3
MSI [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture			1
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture after income taxes			$ 1
Forward contract to sell the estimated Euro proceeds | €												€ 285
Forward contract exchange rate | € / $												1.0782
Unrealized pre-tax loss related to business divestiture				$ 5
Tinsley Product Line [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sale of business, base sales price							$ 4
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture		$ (8)			$ (8)
Gain (loss) related to business divestiture after income taxes		$ (6)
ForceX, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition date					Oct. 13, 2015
ForceX, Inc. [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition						$ 60
MITEQ, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition													$ 41
Acquisition date					Jan. 21, 2015
Amount of goodwill recognized													11
Goodwill deductible for income tax purposes													$ 4
Data Tactics Corporation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition															$ 57
Acquisition date					Mar. 04, 2014
Amount of goodwill recognized															39
Goodwill deductible for income tax purposes															$ 39
CTC Aviation Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition									$ 236	£ 153
Acquisition date					May 27, 2015
Amount of goodwill recognized									$ 177

XML

Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Information

The tables below present net sales, operating income, depreciation and amortization and total assets by reportable segment.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Net Sales:
Electronic Systems	$	1,014		$	1,128		$	3,113		$	3,349
Aerospace Systems		1,068			1,037			3,092			3,173
Communication Systems		516			507			1,474			1,562
NSS		267			307			774			948
Elimination of intercompany sales		(48	)		(39	)		(130	)		(116	)
Consolidated total	$	2,817		$	2,940		$	8,323		$	8,916
Operating Income (Loss):
Electronic Systems	$	123		$	125		$	356		$	383
Aerospace Systems		103			64			148			196
Communication Systems		53			49			140			147
NSS		7			19			28			56
Segment total	$	286		$	257		$	672		$	782
Loss related to business divestitures(1)		(9	)		—			(29	)		—
Impairment charge(2)		(491	)		—			(491	)		—
Consolidated total	$	(214	)	$	257		$	152		$	782
Depreciation and amortization:
Electronic Systems	$	26		$	30		$	81		$	89
Aerospace Systems		13			11			37			30
Communication Systems		12			13			37			38
NSS		3			2			9			8
Consolidated total	$	54		$	56		$	164		$	165

⁽¹⁾  See Note 4 for information regarding the Company’s business divestitures.

⁽²⁾  Represents a non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2015 due to a decline in the estimated fair value of the NSS business. See Note 7 for additional information.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Total Assets:
Electronic Systems	$	6,672	$	6,287
Aerospace Systems		3,103		3,011
Communication Systems		1,990		1,997
NSS		777		1,287
Corporate		494		707
Assets held for sale		—		547
Consolidated total	$	13,036	$	13,836

XML

Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities - Other Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities:
Non-current income taxes payable (see Note 10)	$ 193	$ 196
Deferred compensation	45	43
Accrued workers' compensation	35	38
Accrued product warranty costs	34	34
Notes payable and capital lease obligations	9	1
Other	87	70
Total other liabilities	$ 403	$ 382

XML

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Operations Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Pro forma net sales	$ 2,817	$ 2,973	$ 8,357	$ 9,021
Pro forma net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$ (299)	$ 156	$ (71)	$ 466
Pro forma diluted (loss) earnings per share	$ (3.74)	$ 1.80	$ (0.87)	$ 5.27

XML

L-3 Holdings' Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) (Parenthetical) (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 18, 2014
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Incremental weighted average potential common shares	0	0
CODES Due 2035 [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt instruments			3.00%
Debt instruments, maturity year		2035
Conversion price of L-3 Holdings' CODES				$ 88.71
Debt instruments, retired date		Jun. 20, 2014

XML

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Weighted Average Assumptions in Valuation Model

The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation model for this grant are presented in the table below.

Expected holding period (in years)	5.0
Expected volatility	21.4	%
Expected dividend yield	2.4	%
Risk-free interest rate	1.5	%

XML

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Reporting

Principles of Consolidation and Reporting

The accompanying financial statements comprise the consolidated financial statements of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications. L-3 Holdings’ only asset is its investment in the common stock of L-3 Communications, its wholly-owned subsidiary, and its only obligations are: (1) its guarantee of borrowings under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (Credit Facility) of L-3 Communications and (2) its guarantee of other contractual obligations of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries. All issuances of and conversions into L-3 Holdings’ equity securities, including grants of stock options, restricted stock units and performance units by L-3 Holdings to employees and directors of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries, have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements of L-3 Communications. As a result, the consolidated financial positions, results of operations and cash flows of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications are substantially the same. See Note 23 for additional information regarding the unaudited financial information of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for a complete set of annual audited financial statements. The December 31, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

It is the Company’s established practice to close its books for the quarters ending March, June and September on the Friday preceding the end of the calendar quarter. The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared and are labeled based on that convention. The Company closes its books for annual periods on December 31 regardless of what day it falls on.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior-year amounts to the current-year presentation.

Accounting Estimates

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and costs of sales during the reporting period. The most significant of these estimates and assumptions for L-3 relate to contract revenue, profit and loss recognition, fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, market values for inventories reported at lower of cost or market, pension and post-retirement benefit obligations, stock-based employee compensation expense, income taxes, including the valuation of deferred tax assets, litigation reserves and environmental obligations, accrued product warranty costs, and the recoverability, useful lives and valuation of recorded amounts of long-lived assets, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Changes in estimates are reflected in the periods during which they become known. Actual amounts will differ from these estimates and could differ materially.

Sales and profits on contracts that are covered by accounting standards for construction-type and production-type contracts and federal government contractors are recognized using percentage-of-completion (POC) methods of accounting. Approximately 46% of the Company’s net sales in 2014 were accounted for under contract accounting standards, of which approximately 40% were fixed-price type contracts and approximately 6% were cost-plus type contracts. For contracts that are accounted for under contract accounting standards, sales and profits are recognized based on: (1) a POC method of accounting (fixed-price contracts), (2) allowable costs incurred plus the estimated profit on those costs (cost-plus contracts), or (3) direct labor hours expended multiplied by the contractual fixed rate per hour plus incurred costs for material (time-and-material contracts). Sales and profits on fixed-price production contracts under which units are produced and delivered in a continuous or sequential process are recorded as units are delivered based on their contractual selling prices (the “units-of-delivery” method). Sales and profits on each fixed-price production contract under which units are not produced and delivered in a continuous or sequential process, or under which a relatively few number of units are produced, are recorded based on the ratio of actual cumulative costs incurred to total estimated costs at completion of the contract, multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue, less cumulative sales recognized in prior periods (the “cost-to-cost” method). Under both POC methods of accounting, a single estimated total profit margin is used to recognize profit for each contract over its entire period of performance, which can exceed one year.

Accounting for the sales and profit on these fixed-price type contracts requires the preparation of estimates of: (1) the total contract revenue, (2) the total costs at completion, which is equal to the sum of the actual incurred costs to date on the contract and the estimated costs to complete the contract’s statement of work, and (3) the measurement of progress towards completion. The estimated profit or loss at completion on a contract is equal to the difference between the total estimated contract revenue and the total estimated cost at completion. The profit recorded on a contract in any period using either the units-of-delivery method or cost-to-cost method is equal to the current estimated total profit margin multiplied by the cumulative sales recognized, less the amount of cumulative profit previously recorded for the contract.

Sales and profits on cost-plus type contracts that are covered by contract accounting standards are recognized as allowable costs are incurred on the contract, at an amount equal to the allowable costs plus the estimated profit on those costs. The estimated profit on a cost-plus type contract is fixed or variable based on the contractual fee arrangement. Incentive and award fees are the primary variable fee contractual arrangement types for the Company. Incentive and award fees on cost-plus type contracts are included as an element of total estimated contract revenues and are recorded as sales when a basis exists for the reasonable prediction of performance in relation to established contractual targets and the Company is able to make reasonably dependable estimates for them.

Sales and profits on time-and-material type contracts are recognized on the basis of direct labor hours expended multiplied by the contractual fixed rate per hour, plus the actual costs of materials and other direct non-labor costs.

Revisions or adjustments to estimates for a contract’s revenue, estimated costs at completion and estimated profit or loss are often required as work progresses under a contract, as experience is gained, as facts and circumstances change and as new information is obtained, even though the scope of work required under the contract may not change. Revisions or adjustments may also be required if contract modifications occur. The impact of revisions in profit (loss) estimates for all types of contracts subject to POC accounting are recognized on a cumulative catch-up basis in the period in which the revisions are made. The revisions in contract estimates, if significant, can materially affect the Company’s results of operations and cash flows, as well as reduce the valuations of receivables and inventories, and in some cases result in liabilities to complete contracts in a loss position. Aggregate net changes in contract estimates amounted to increases of $52 million, or 34% of consolidated operating income (8% of segment operating income) for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, and increases of $71 million, or 9% of consolidated operating income for the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014.

For a more complete discussion of these estimates and assumptions, see the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-11, to simplify the measurement of inventory. This update requires that inventory measured at first in, first out or average cost be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-3, to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This update requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability, consistent with the required presentation for debt discounts. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard will change the Company’s current practice of presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and will result in a reduction of total assets and total liabilities in an amount equal to the balance of unamortized debt issuance costs at each balance sheet date. The Company has not elected to early adopt this standard and debt issuance costs amounted to $22 million at September 25, 2015 and $27 million at December 31, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers and significantly expand the disclosure requirements for revenue arrangements. The new standard, as amended, will be effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018, with early application permitted beginning on January 1, 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and the transition alternatives available. As the new standard will supersede substantially all existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition on substantially all of the Company’s contracts, in addition to the Company’s business processes and information technology systems. As a result, the Company’s evaluation of the impact of the standard will extend over future periods.

Other accounting standard updates effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 are not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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L-3 Holdings' Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	4.5	0.6	4.5	0.5

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Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt and Reconciliation to Carrying Amount of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments under the Credit Facility			$ 861	$ 1,367
Proceeds under the Credit Facility			861	$ 1,367
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments under the Credit Facility			861
Proceeds under the Credit Facility			861
Available borrowings under Credit Facility	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member] | 3.95% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on Senior Notes	3.95%	3.95%	3.95%
Debt instrument maturity period	2016	2016
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member] | 1.50% Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on Senior Notes	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%
Debt instrument maturity period	2017	2017
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member] | 5.20% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on Senior Notes	5.20%	5.20%	5.20%
Debt instrument maturity period	2019	2019
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member] | 4.75% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on Senior Notes	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Debt instrument maturity period	2020	2020
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member] | 4.95% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on Senior Notes	4.95%	4.95%	4.95%
Debt instrument maturity period	2021	2021
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member] | 3.95% Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on Senior Notes	3.95%	3.95%	3.95%
Debt instrument maturity period	2024	2024
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | L-3 Communications Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility expiration date			Feb. 03, 2017

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Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price	$ 129.05
Stock options granted | shares	453,358
Expiration period of stock options granted from date of grant	10 years
Vesting period	3 years
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options	$ 19.77
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Units granted | shares	360,915
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 128.84
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Non-Employee Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Units granted | shares	41,138
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 129.03
Length of service after grant date	3 years
Minimum payout range	0.00%
Maximum payout range	200.00%

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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Schedule of Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities Included as Held for Sale (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Total current assets		$ 547
Total assets classified as held for sale		547
Liabilities
Total current liabilities		237
MSI [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		61
Billed receivables, net of allowances of $6		77
Contracts in process		70
Inventories		70
Other current assets		10
Total current assets		288
Goodwill		231
Other assets		28
Total assets classified as held for sale		547
Liabilities
Accounts payable, trade		31
Accrued employment costs		22
Accrued expenses		33
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred		55
Other current liabilities		21
Total current liabilities		162
Pension and postretirement benefits		56
Other liabilities		19
Total liabilities classified as held for sale		$ 237

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Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 10, 2015	Oct. 23, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 04, 2014	Feb. 05, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Aggregate amount of repurchased shares			$ 605,000,000	$ 413,000,000
Remaining authorized amount of share repurchase programs			$ 940,000,000
Cash dividend declared per share	$ 0.65		$ 1.95	$ 1.80
Cash dividends			$ 163,000,000
Net reduction of accrued dividends through payment			$ 1,000,000
Dividend paid, record date			Aug. 17, 2015
Dividend paid date			Sep. 15, 2015
Treasury Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Aggregate amount of repurchased shares			$ 605,000,000	$ 413,000,000
February 5, 2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Amount of shares authorized to be repurchased						$ 1,500,000,000
Average price per share of repurchased shares			$ 117.01
Aggregate amount of repurchased shares			$ 605,000,000
February 5, 2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member] | Treasury Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of common shares repurchased			5,171,908
December 4, 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Amount of shares authorized to be repurchased					$ 1,500,000,000
December 4, 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Average price per share of repurchased shares		$ 106.70
Aggregate amount of repurchased shares		$ 75,000,000
December 4, 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member] | Treasury Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of common shares repurchased		702,650

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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions							1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 10, 2015 USD ($) Plaintiff	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jul. 23, 2014 EUR (€)	Sep. 28, 2012 Plaintiff	Apr. 23, 2007 Plaintiff	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) Plaintiff	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($) Agreement	May. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 09, 2010 USD ($)
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Number of existing real estate lease agreements | Agreement								2
Real estate lease agreements, expiry date								Aug. 31, 2015
Lease, renewal term								5 years
Residual guarantee amount								$ 40.0
Increase in residual guarantee amount								17.0
Cash received from lessor at inception of new leases	$ 17.0							17.0
Aggregate liability in anticipation of a settlement	26.0							26.0
Recoveries from insurance contracts in connection with Bashkirian Airways	$ 11.0		$ 11.0
Number of plaintiffs re-filed their complaint against ACSS | Plaintiff						30
Compensatory damages									$ 48.0	$ 6.7
Number of plaintiffs released their claims against ACSS | Plaintiff					18
Number of plaintiffs settled their claims against ACSS | Plaintiff		12
Aggregate expenses incurred by plaintiff		$ 11.0
Award amount paid by insurer into escrow account								$ 11.0
Subsequent Event [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Aggregate payments made from escrow account							$ 7.0
Discount on litigation settlement							$ 0.1
Subsequent Event [Member] | Settled Litigation [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs settled their claims against ACSS | Plaintiff							8
Subsequent Event [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs settled their claims against ACSS | Plaintiff							4
Property Damages [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Claims for estimated damages | €				€ 11
Business Interruption [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Claims for estimated damages | €				€ 35

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Financial Instruments - Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Company's Long-Term Debt and Foreign Currency Forward Contracts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Carrying Amount	$ 3,940	$ 3,939
Senior Notes, Estimated Fair Value	4,068	4,178
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign currency forward contracts	(13)	(6)
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign currency forward contracts	$ (13)	$ (6)

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Pension Plans [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 29	$ 26	$ 93	$ 80
Interest cost	38	37	112	110
Expected return on plan assets	$ (51)	$ (48)	(155)	(145)
Amortization of prior service costs (credits)			1	1
Amortization of net loss (gain)	$ 17	$ 4	51	13
Curtailment loss	3		3	1
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 36	$ 19	105	$ 60
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost		(2)	2
Interest cost	$ 1	4	5	$ 8
Expected return on plan assets	$ (1)	$ (1)	(3)	(3)
Amortization of prior service costs (credits)			$ (2)	(1)
Amortization of net loss (gain)		$ (1)		(2)
Curtailment loss		(1)		(1)
Net periodic benefit cost		$ (1)	$ 2	$ 1

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L-3 Holdings' Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Reconciliation of net (loss) income:
Net (loss) income	$ (296)	$ 157	$ (63)	$ 470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)	(3)	(11)	(9)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 Holdings' common shareholders	$ (299)	$ 154	$ (74)	$ 461
Basic:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	80.0	85.1	81.5	85.7
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$ (3.74)	$ 1.81	$ (0.91)	$ 5.38
Common and potential common shares:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	80.0	85.1	81.5	85.7
Assumed purchase of common shares for treasury		(2.9)		(3.2)
Assumed conversion of the CODES				1.1
Common and potential common shares	80.0	86.6	81.5	88.4
Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$ (3.74)	$ 1.78	$ (0.91)	$ 5.21
Stock Options [Member]
Common and potential common shares:
Common and potential common shares		2.8		3.0
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Common and potential common shares:
Common and potential common shares		1.5		1.6
Performance Unit Awards [Member]
Common and potential common shares:
Common and potential common shares		0.1		0.1
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Contributions [Member]
Common and potential common shares:
Common and potential common shares				0.1

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Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities - Changes in Company's Accrued Product Warranty Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Accrued product warranty costs:
Balance at January 1	$ 93	$ 99
Acquisitions during the period	1
Accruals for product warranties issued during the period	46	$ 53
Settlements made during the period	(46)	(46)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1)	(1)
Balance at end of period	$ 93	$ 105

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Derivative Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

16.  Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company’s derivative financial instruments include foreign currency forward contracts, which are entered into for risk management purposes.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. The Company’s U.S. and foreign businesses enter into contracts with customers, subcontractors or vendors that are denominated in currencies other than their functional currencies. To protect the functional currency equivalent cash flows associated with certain of these contracts, the Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts. The Company’s activities involving foreign currency forward contracts are designed to hedge the changes in the functional currency equivalent cash flows due to movements in foreign exchange rates compared to the functional currency. The foreign currencies hedged are primarily the Canadian dollar, the U.S. dollar, the Euro and the British pound. The Company manages exposure to counterparty non-performance credit risk by entering into foreign currency forward contracts only with major financial institutions that are expected to fully perform under the terms of such contracts. Foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value and are generally designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with the accounting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Gains and losses on designated foreign currency forward contracts that are highly effective in offsetting the corresponding change in the cash flows of the hedged transactions are recorded net of income taxes in AOCI and then recognized in income when the underlying hedged transaction affects income. Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts that do not meet hedge accounting criteria are recognized in income immediately. Notional amounts are used to measure the volume of foreign currency forward contracts and do not represent exposure to foreign currency losses. The table below presents the notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward contracts by currency at September 25, 2015.

Currency	Notional Amounts
	(in millions)
Canadian dollar	$	141
U.S. dollar		94
Euro		21
British pound		2
Total	$	258

At September 25, 2015, the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts had maturities through 2018.

The table below presents the location of the Company’s derivative instruments recorded at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

	September 25, 2015								December 31, 2014
	Other Current Assets		Other Assets		Other Current Liabilities		Other Liabilities		Other Current Assets		Other Assets		Other Current Liabilities		Other Liabilities
	(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts(1)(2)	$	1	$	1	$	13	$	2	$	4	$	1	$	10	$	1
Total derivative instruments	$	1	$	1	$	13	$	2	$	4	$	1	$	10	$	1

⁽¹⁾  See Note 14 for a description of the fair value hierarchy related to the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts.

⁽²⁾  Assets held for sale at December 31, 2014 include $2 million, of other current assets relating to the fair value of derivative instruments, and liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2014 include $2 million of other current liabilities relating to the fair value of derivative instruments.

The effect of gains or losses from foreign currency forward contracts was not material to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the quarterly or year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014. At September 25, 2015, the estimated net amount of existing losses that are expected to be reclassified into income within the next 12 months is $10 million.

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Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Condensed Combining Balance Sheets

The following unaudited condensed combining financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of: (1) L-3 Holdings, excluding L-3 Communications and its consolidated subsidiaries (the Parent), (2) L-3 Communications, excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, (3) the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (4) the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and (5) the eliminations to arrive at the information for L-3 on a consolidated basis.

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)		L-3 Communications		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
Condensed Combining Balance Sheets:
At September 25, 2015:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	170	$	1	$	167	$	(15	)	$	323
Billed receivables, net		—		260		318		218		—			796
Contracts in process		—		938		1,197		348		—			2,483
Other current assets		—		413		163		117		—			693
Total current assets		—		1,781		1,679		850		(15	)		4,295
Goodwill		—		2,317		3,777		1,018		—			7,112
Other assets		—		800		552		277		—			1,629
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries		4,584		6,294		4,475		—		(15,353	)		—
Total assets	$	4,584	$	11,192	$	10,483	$	2,145	$	(15,368	)	$	13,036
Current liabilities	$	—	$	931	$	1,044	$	504	$	(15	)	$	2,464
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		—		—		—		16		(16	)		—
Other long-term liabilities		—		1,737		203		33		—			1,973
Long-term debt		—		3,940		—		—		—			3,940
Total liabilities		—		6,608		1,247		553		(31	)		8,377
L-3 shareholders’ equity		4,584		4,584		9,236		1,592		(15,412	)		4,584
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		—		75			75
Total equity		4,584		4,584		9,236		1,592		(15,337	)		4,659
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,584	$	11,192	$	10,483	$	2,145	$	(15,368	)	$	13,036
At December 31, 2014:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	361	$	1	$	142	$	(62	)	$	442
Billed receivables, net		—		320		329		203		—			852
Contracts in process		—		867		1,144		284		—			2,295
Other current assets		—		365		141		95		—			601
Assets held for sale		—		—		52		495		—			547
Total current assets		—		1,913		1,667		1,219		(62	)		4,737
Goodwill		—		2,308		4,280		913		—			7,501
Other assets		—		817		576		205		—			1,598
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries		5,285		6,855		4,157		—		(16,297	)		—
Total assets	$	5,285	$	11,893	$	10,680	$	2,337	$	(16,359	)	$	13,836
Current liabilities	$	—	$	878	$	1,017	$	455	$	(62	)	$	2,288
Liabilities held for sale		—		—		10		227		—			237
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		—		—		—		333		(333	)		—
Other long-term liabilities		—		1,791		190		31		—			2,012
Long-term debt		—		3,939		—		—		—			3,939
Total liabilities		—		6,608		1,217		1,046		(395	)		8,476
L-3 shareholders’ equity		5,285		5,285		9,463		1,291		(16,039	)		5,285
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		—		75			75
Total equity		5,285		5,285		9,463		1,291		(15,964	)		5,360
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,285	$	11,893	$	10,680	$	2,337	$	(16,359	)	$	13,836

Condensed Combining Statements of Operations

Condensed Combining Statements of Operations:
For the quarter ended September 25, 2015:
Total net sales	$	—		$	873		$	1,584		$	449		$	(89	)	$	2,817
Total cost of sales		(12	)		(790	)		(1,442	)		(388	)		101			(2,531	)
Loss related to business divestitures		—			(8	)		(1	)		—			—			(9	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(491	)		—			—			(491	)
Operating (loss) income		(12	)		75			(350	)		61			12			(214	)
Interest expense		—			(47	)		—			—			—			(47	)
Interest and other income, net		—			2			—			1			—			3
(Loss) income before income taxes		(12	)		30			(350	)		62			12			(258	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		7			(10	)		(14	)		(14	)		(7	)		(38	)
Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(294	)		(319	)		—			—			613			—
Net (loss) income		(299	)		(299	)		(364	)		48			618			(296	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(3	)		(3	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	(299	)	$	(364	)	$	48		$	615		$	(299	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to L-3	$	(351	)	$	(351	)	$	(370	)	$	(9	)	$	730		$	(351	)
For the quarter ended September 26, 2014:
Total net sales	$	—		$	860		$	1,628		$	525		$	(73	)	$	2,940
Total cost of sales		(10	)		(787	)		(1,500	)		(469	)		83			(2,683	)
Operating (loss) income		(10	)		73			128			56			10			257
Interest expense		—			(46	)		(2	)		1			—			(47	)
Interest and other income, net		—			4			—			1			—			5
(Loss) income before income taxes		(10	)		31			126			58			10			215
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		3			(8	)		(34	)		(16	)		(3	)		(58	)
Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries		161			131			—			—			(292	)		—
Net income		154			154			92			42			(285	)		157
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(3	)		(3	)
Net income attributable to L-3	$	154		$	154		$	92		$	42		$	(288	)	$	154
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	$	90		$	90		$	89		$	(22	)	$	(157	)	$	90
Condensed Combining Statements of Operations:
For the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015:
Total net sales	$	—		$	2,539		$	4,574		$	1,442		$	(232	)	$	8,323
Total cost of sales		(36	)		(2,313	)		(4,295	)		(1,275	)		268			(7,651	)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures		—			(13	)		(29	)		13			—			(29	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(491	)		—			—			(491	)
Operating (loss) income		(36	)		213			(241	)		180			36			152
Interest expense		—			(138	)		(1	)		—			—			(139	)
Interest and other income, net		—			9			—			2			—			11
(Loss) income before income taxes		(36	)		84			(242	)		182			36			24
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		11			(19	)		(33	)		(35	)		(11	)		(87	)
Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(49	)		(139	)		—			—			188			—
Net (loss) income		(74	)		(74	)		(275	)		147			213			(63	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(11	)		(11	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(74	)	$	(74	)	$	(275	)	$	147		$	202		$	(74	)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(120	)	$	(120	)	$	(280	)	$	73		$	327		$	(120	)
For the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014:
Total net sales	$	—		$	2,606		$	4,908		$	1,623		$	(221	)	$	8,916
Total cost of sales		(39	)		(2,354	)		(4,533	)		(1,468	)		260			(8,134	)
Operating (loss) income		(39	)		252			375			155			39			782
Interest expense		(2	)		(127	)		(2	)		—			2			(129	)
Interest and other income, net		—			12			—			2			—			14
(Loss) income before income taxes		(41	)		137			373			157			41			667
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		12			(41	)		(110	)		(46	)		(12	)		(197	)
Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries		490			365			—			—			(855	)		—
Net income		461			461			263			111			(826	)		470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(9	)		(9	)
Net income attributable to L-3	$	461		$	461		$	263		$	111		$	(835	)	$	461
Comprehensive income attributable to L-3	$	411		$	411		$	264		$	53		$	(728	)	$	411

Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows

Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows
For the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015:
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$	768		$	337		$	348		$	66		$	(888	)	$	631
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(260	)		—			—			—			(260	)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances		—			4			27			277			—			308
Investments in L-3 Communications		(33	)		—			—			—			33			—
Other investing activities		—			(63	)		(45	)		(26	)		—			(134	)
Net cash (used in) from investing activities		(33	)		(319	)		(18	)		251			33			(86	)
Financing activities:
Common stock repurchased		(605	)		—			—			—			—			(605	)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings common stock		(163	)		—			—			—			—			(163	)
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings		—			(768	)		—			—			768			—
Investments from L-3 Holdings		—			33			—			—			(33	)		—
Other financing activities		33			526			(331	)		(338	)		167			57
Net cash used in financing activities		(735	)		(209	)		(331	)		(338	)		902			(711	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash		—			—			—			(14	)		—			(14	)
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale		—			—			1			60			—			61
Net (decrease) increase in cash		—			(191	)		—			25			47			(119	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		—			361			1			142			(62	)		442
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	170		$	1		$	167		$	(15	)	$	323
For the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014:
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$	1,506		$	201		$	382		$	69		$	(1,553	)	$	605
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(57	)		—			—			—			(57	)
Investments in L-3 Communications		(87	)		—			—			—			87			—
Other investing activities		—			(37	)		(52	)		(16	)		—			(105	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(87	)		(94	)		(52	)		(16	)		87			(162	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes		—			996			—			—			—			996
Retirement of CODES		(935	)		—			—			—			—			(935	)
Common stock repurchased		(413	)		—			—			—			—			(413	)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings common stock		(158	)		—			—			—			—			(158	)
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings		—			(1,506	)		—			—			1,506			—
Investments from L-3 Holdings		—			87			—			—			(87	)		—
Other financing activities		87			388			(329	)		(66	)		4			84
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,419	)		(35	)		(329	)		(66	)		1,423			(426	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash		—			—			—			(9	)		—			(9	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		—			72			1			(22	)		(43	)		8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		—			258			—			261			(19	)		500
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	330		$	1		$	239		$	(62	)	$	508

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Company's Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy level for each of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

	September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
Description	Level 1(1)		Level 2(2)		Level 3(3)		Level 1(1)		Level 2(2)		Level 3(3)
	(in millions)
Assets
Cash equivalents	$	182	$	—	$	—	$	416	$	—	$	—
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)		—		2		—		—		5		—
Total assets	$	182	$	2	$	—	$	416	$	5	$	—
Liabilities
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)	$	—	$	15	$	—	$	—	$	11	$	—

⁽¹⁾  Level 1 is based on quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Cash equivalents are primarily held in registered money market funds, which are valued using quoted market prices.

⁽²⁾  Level 2 is based on pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable. The fair value is determined using a valuation model based on observable market inputs, including quoted foreign currency forward exchange rates and consideration of non-performance risk.

⁽³⁾  Level 3 is based on pricing inputs that are not observable and not corroborated by market data. The Company has no Level 3 assets or liabilities.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (AOCI) - Summary of Amounts Reclassified from AOCI into Net Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	May. 29, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015	Jun. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance					$ (584)	$ (110)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax					(138)	(62)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax					92	12
Total other comprehensive (loss) income		$ (52)		$ (64)	(46)	(50)
Ending Balance		(630)		(160)	(630)	(160)
Loss related to business divestitures		(9)			(29)
Cost of sales-products		(1,417)		(1,480)	(4,335)	(4,498)
(Loss) income before income taxes		(258)		215	24	667
Provision for income taxes		(38)		(58)	(87)	(197)
Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income		$ (14)		(2)	(92)	(12)
MSI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Loss related to business divestitures	$ (4)		$ 4		4
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance					19	142
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax					(125)	$ (57)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax					41
Total other comprehensive (loss) income					(84)	$ (57)
Ending Balance		$ (65)		85	(65)	85
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
(Loss) income before income taxes					(41)
Net income					(41)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | MSI [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Loss related to business divestitures					(41)
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Hedging Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance					(5)	1
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax					(13)	(5)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax					10	$ 5
Total other comprehensive (loss) income					(3)
Ending Balance		(8)		1	(8)	$ 1
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Hedging Instruments [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
(Loss) income before income taxes		(4)		1	(12)	(6)
Provision for income taxes				(1)	2	1
Net income		(4)			(10)	(5)
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Hedging Instruments [Member] | MSI [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Loss related to business divestitures					(2)
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Hedging Instruments [Member] | Other [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales-products		(4)		1	(10)	(6)
Amortization of Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain		(17)		(3)	(50)	(11)
(Loss) income before income taxes		(17)		(3)	(64)	(11)
Provision for income taxes		7		1	23	4
Net income		(10)		(2)	(41)	(7)
Amortization of Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member] | MSI [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Loss related to business divestitures					(14)
Unrecognized Losses and Prior Service Cost, Net [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning Balance					$ (598)	$ (253)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax					$ 41	$ 7
Total other comprehensive (loss) income					41	7
Ending Balance		$ (557)		$ (246)	$ (557)	$ (246)

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Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries - Condensed Combining Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 323	$ 442	$ 508	$ 500
Billed receivables, net	796	852
Contracts in process	2,483	2,295
Other current assets	693	601
Assets held for sale		547
Total current assets	4,295	4,737
Goodwill	7,112	7,501
Other assets	$ 1,629	$ 1,598
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries
Total assets	$ 13,036	$ 13,836
Current liabilities	$ 2,464	2,288
Liabilities held for sale		$ 237
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries
Other long-term liabilities	$ 1,973	$ 2,012
Long-term debt	3,940	3,939
Total liabilities	8,377	8,476
L-3 shareholders' equity	4,584	5,285
Noncontrolling interests	75	75
Total equity	4,659	5,360	$ 5,979	$ 6,056
Total liabilities and equity	13,036	13,836
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	4,584	5,285
Total assets	4,584	5,285
Long-term debt	3,940	3,939
L-3 shareholders' equity	4,584	5,285
Total equity	4,584	5,285
Total liabilities and equity	4,584	5,285
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	170	361	$ 330	$ 258
Billed receivables, net	260	320
Contracts in process	938	867
Other current assets	413	$ 365
Assets held for sale
Total current assets	1,781	$ 1,913
Goodwill	2,317	2,308
Other assets	800	817
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	6,294	6,855
Total assets	11,192	11,893
Current liabilities	$ 931	$ 878
Liabilities held for sale
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries
Other long-term liabilities	$ 1,737	$ 1,791
Long-term debt	3,940	3,939
Total liabilities	6,608	6,608
L-3 shareholders' equity	$ 4,584	$ 5,285
Noncontrolling interests
Total equity	$ 4,584	$ 5,285
Total liabilities and equity	11,192	11,893
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	1	1
Billed receivables, net	318	329
Contracts in process	1,197	1,144
Other current assets	163	141
Assets held for sale		52
Total current assets	1,679	1,667
Goodwill	3,777	4,280
Other assets	552	576
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	4,475	4,157
Total assets	10,483	10,680
Current liabilities	$ 1,044	1,017
Liabilities held for sale		$ 10
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries
Other long-term liabilities	$ 203	$ 190
Long-term debt
Total liabilities	$ 1,247	$ 1,217
L-3 shareholders' equity	$ 9,236	$ 9,463
Noncontrolling interests
Total equity	$ 9,236	$ 9,463
Total liabilities and equity	10,483	10,680
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	167	142	239	$ 261
Billed receivables, net	218	203
Contracts in process	348	284
Other current assets	117	95
Assets held for sale		495
Total current assets	850	1,219
Goodwill	1,018	913
Other assets	$ 277	$ 205
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries
Total assets	$ 2,145	$ 2,337
Current liabilities	504	455
Liabilities held for sale		227
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	16	333
Other long-term liabilities	$ 33	$ 31
Long-term debt
Total liabilities	$ 553	$ 1,046
L-3 shareholders' equity	$ 1,592	$ 1,291
Noncontrolling interests
Total equity	$ 1,592	$ 1,291
Total liabilities and equity	2,145	2,337
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ (15)	$ (62)	$ (62)	$ (19)
Billed receivables, net
Contracts in process
Other current assets
Assets held for sale
Total current assets	$ (15)	$ (62)
Goodwill
Other assets
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries	$ (15,353)	$ (16,297)
Total assets	(15,368)	(16,359)
Current liabilities	(15)	$ (62)
Liabilities held for sale
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries	$ (16)	$ (333)
Other long-term liabilities
Long-term debt
Total liabilities	$ (31)	$ (395)
L-3 shareholders' equity	(15,412)	(16,039)
Noncontrolling interests	75	75
Total equity	(15,337)	(15,964)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (15,368)	$ (16,359)

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Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Goodwill by Segment

The table below presents the changes in goodwill by segment for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

	Electronic Systems			Aerospace Systems			Communication Systems		NSS			Consolidated Total
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,773		$	1,730		$	992	$	1,006		$	7,501
Business acquisitions(1)		177			—			11		—			188
Business divestitures(2)		(12	)		—			—		—			(12	)
Impairment loss		—			—			—		(491	)		(491	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments(3)		(43	)		(31	)		—		—			(74	)
Balance at September 25, 2015	$	3,895		$	1,699		$	1,003	$	515		$	7,112

⁽¹⁾  The increase in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the L-3 CTC business acquisition. The increase in goodwill for the Communication Systems segment was due to the Miteq business acquisition.

⁽²⁾  The decrease in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the divestitures of BSI and the Tinsley Product Line.

⁽³⁾  The decrease in goodwill presented in the Electronic Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Euro and the Australian dollar during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015. The decrease in goodwill presented in the Aerospace Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

Identifiable Intangible Assets

The table below presents information for the Company’s identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization.

			September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Weighted Average Amortization Period		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	(in years)		(in millions)
Customer contractual relationships		19	$	461	$	283	$	178	$	440	$	262	$	178
Technology		11		186		118		68		165		111		54
Other		18		27		17		10		27		16		11
Total		17	$	674	$	418	$	256	$	632	$	389	$	243

Amortization Expense

The table below presents amortization expense recorded by the Company for its identifiable intangible assets.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date  Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Amortization Expense	$	10	$	11	$	29	$	32

Estimated Amortization Expense

Based on gross carrying amounts at September 25, 2015, the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2015 through 2019 is presented in the table below.

	Year Ending December 31,
	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
	(in millions)
Estimated amortization expense	$	38	$	38	$	35	$	30	$	27

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Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Percentage of sales accounted for under contract accounting standards	46.00%
Percentage of fixed-price type contracts	40.00%
Percentage of cost-plus type contracts	6.00%
Period of performance for contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, minimum	1 year
Aggregate net changes in contract estimates amounted to increases of consolidated operating income	$ 52	$ 71
Increases in percentage of aggregate net changes in contract estimates of segment operating income	8.00%
Increases in percentage of aggregate net changes in contract estimates of consolidated operating income	34.00%	9.00%

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Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization Expense	$ 10	$ 11	$ 29	$ 32

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Contracts in Process - General and Administrative, Independent Research and Development and Bids and Proposal Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at beginning of the period	$ 149	$ 146	$ 138	$ 133
Contract costs incurred:
IRAD and B&P	70	70	210	213
Other G&A	219	230	640	645
Total	289	300	850	858
Amounts charged to cost of sales	(269)	(300)	(819)	(845)
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at end of the period	$ 169	$ 146	$ 169	$ 146

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Interest paid on outstanding debt	$	127	$	123
Income tax payments		114		116
Income tax refunds		6		8

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (63)	$ 470
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	129	127
Amortization of intangibles and other assets	35	38
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	(21)	91
Stock-based employee compensation expense	36	39
Excess income tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements	(24)	(16)
Contributions to employee savings plans in L-3 Holdings' common stock	95	105
Impairment charge	491
Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit plans net loss and prior service cost	50	11
Amortization of bond discounts and deferred debt issue costs (included in interest expense)	6	5
Loss related to business divestitures	29
Other non-cash items	(4)	(5)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding amounts from acquisitions and divestitures:
Billed receivables	48	118
Contracts in process	(165)	(144)
Inventories	(77)	(11)
Other assets	(13)
Accounts payable, trade	121	(119)
Accrued employment costs	47	26
Accrued expenses	(40)	(57)
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred	2	39
Income taxes		(4)
Other current liabilities	(11)	(40)
Pension and postretirement benefits	(18)	(40)
All other operating activities	(22)	(28)
Net cash from operating activities	631	605
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(260)	(57)
Proceeds from the sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances	308
Capital expenditures	(140)	(115)
Dispositions of property, plant and equipment	2	4
Other investing activities	4	6
Net cash used in investing activities	(86)	(162)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes		996
Retirement of CODES		(935)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	861	1,367
Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility	(861)	(1,367)
Common stock repurchased	(605)	(413)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings' common stock	(163)	(158)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	41	87
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	26	27
Excess income tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements	24	16
Debt issue costs		(8)
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding	(33)	(27)
Other financing activities	(1)	(11)
Net cash used in financing activities	(711)	(426)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(14)	(9)
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale	61
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(119)	8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	442	500
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$ 323	$ 508

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Contracts in Process - Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Research and Development Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 53	$ 72	$ 198	$ 225
Research and development expenses	13	15	40	51
Total	$ 66	$ 87	$ 238	$ 276

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Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Company's Long-Term Debt and Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value
	(in millions)
Senior Notes(1)	$	3,940		$	4,068		$	3,939		$	4,178
Foreign currency forward contracts(2)	$	(13	)	$	(13	)	$	(6	)	$	(6	)

⁽¹⁾  The Company measures the fair value of its Senior Notes using Level 2 inputs based primarily on current market yields for its existing debt traded in the secondary market.

⁽²⁾  The Company measures the fair values of foreign currency forward contracts based on forward exchange rates. See Note 16 for additional disclosures regarding the notional amounts and fair values of foreign currency forward contracts.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

20.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Interest paid on outstanding debt	$	127	$	123
Income tax payments		114		116
Income tax refunds		6		8

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Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

19.  Stock-Based Compensation

During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, the Company granted stock-based compensation under its Amended and Restated 2008 Long Term Performance Plan (2008 LTPP) in the form of stock options, restricted stock units and performance units. The stock-based compensation awards granted during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 are further discussed below.

Stock Options. The Company granted 453,358 stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $129.05 per option, which was equal to the closing price of L-3 Holdings’ common stock on the date of grant. The options expire after 10 years from the date of grant and vest ratably over a three-year period on the annual anniversary of the date of grant. The options granted to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are also subject to performance-based vesting conditions. The weighted average grant date fair value for the options of $19.77 per option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation model for this grant are presented in the table below.

Expected holding period (in years)	5.0
Expected volatility	21.4	%
Expected dividend yield	2.4	%
Risk-free interest rate	1.5	%

Restricted Stock Units. The Company granted 360,915 restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value of $128.84 per share. Restricted stock units automatically convert into shares of L-3 Holdings’ common stock upon vesting, and are subject to forfeiture until certain restrictions have lapsed, including a three year cliff vesting period for employees and a one year cliff vesting period for non-employee directors, in each case starting on the date of grant.

Performance Units. The Company granted 41,138 performance units with a weighted average grant date fair value per unit of $129.03. The final payout for these units is based on the achievement of pre-determined EPS goals established by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors for the three-year period ending December 31, 2017. Units earned under the award can range from zero to 200% of the original number of units awarded, which are converted into shares of L-3 Holdings’ common stock.

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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Components of Loss of Business Divestitures Included in Statements of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	May. 29, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015	Jun. 26, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total gain (loss) related to the business divestitures		$ (9)			$ (29)
Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale		(491)			(491)
Tinsley Product Line [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total gain (loss) related to the business divestitures		(8)			(8)
Broadcast Sports International, LLC [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total gain (loss) related to the business divestitures		$ (1)			(4)
MSI [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total gain (loss) related to the business divestitures	$ (4)		$ 4		4
Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale				$ (17)	(17)
MSI [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from MSI divestiture					$ (4)

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Notional Amounts of Company's Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts by Currency

The table below presents the notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward contracts by currency at September 25, 2015.

Currency	Notional Amounts
	(in millions)
Canadian dollar	$	141
U.S. dollar		94
Euro		21
British pound		2
Total	$	258

Location of Company's Derivative Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

The table below presents the location of the Company’s derivative instruments recorded at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

	September 25, 2015								December 31, 2014
	Other Current Assets		Other Assets		Other Current Liabilities		Other Liabilities		Other Current Assets		Other Assets		Other Current Liabilities		Other Liabilities
	(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts(1)(2)	$	1	$	1	$	13	$	2	$	4	$	1	$	10	$	1
Total derivative instruments	$	1	$	1	$	13	$	2	$	4	$	1	$	10	$	1

⁽¹⁾  See Note 14 for a description of the fair value hierarchy related to the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts.

⁽²⁾  Assets held for sale at December 31, 2014 include $2 million, of other current assets relating to the fair value of derivative instruments, and liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2014 include $2 million of other current liabilities relating to the fair value of derivative instruments.

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Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

21.  Segment Information

The Company has four reportable segments, which are described in Note 1. The Company evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based on their sales and operating income. All corporate expenses are allocated to the Company’s operating segments using an allocation methodology prescribed by U.S. Government regulations for government contractors. Accordingly, all costs and expenses, except for the NSS goodwill impairment charge and the loss related to business divestitures (which were not included in the Company’s segment performance measures), are included in the Company’s measure of segment profitability.

The tables below present net sales, operating income, depreciation and amortization and total assets by reportable segment.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Net Sales:
Electronic Systems	$	1,014		$	1,128		$	3,113		$	3,349
Aerospace Systems		1,068			1,037			3,092			3,173
Communication Systems		516			507			1,474			1,562
NSS		267			307			774			948
Elimination of intercompany sales		(48	)		(39	)		(130	)		(116	)
Consolidated total	$	2,817		$	2,940		$	8,323		$	8,916
Operating Income (Loss):
Electronic Systems	$	123		$	125		$	356		$	383
Aerospace Systems		103			64			148			196
Communication Systems		53			49			140			147
NSS		7			19			28			56
Segment total	$	286		$	257		$	672		$	782
Loss related to business divestitures(1)		(9	)		—			(29	)		—
Impairment charge(2)		(491	)		—			(491	)		—
Consolidated total	$	(214	)	$	257		$	152		$	782
Depreciation and amortization:
Electronic Systems	$	26		$	30		$	81		$	89
Aerospace Systems		13			11			37			30
Communication Systems		12			13			37			38
NSS		3			2			9			8
Consolidated total	$	54		$	56		$	164		$	165

⁽¹⁾  See Note 4 for information regarding the Company’s business divestitures.

⁽²⁾  Represents a non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2015 due to a decline in the estimated fair value of the NSS business. See Note 7 for additional information.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Total Assets:
Electronic Systems	$	6,672	$	6,287
Aerospace Systems		3,103		3,011
Communication Systems		1,990		1,997
NSS		777		1,287
Corporate		494		707
Assets held for sale		—		547
Consolidated total	$	13,036	$	13,836

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Employee Severance and Termination Costs

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Employee Severance and Termination Costs

22.  Employee Severance and Termination Costs

Consistent with the Company’s strategy to continuously improve its cost structure and right-size its businesses, especially in view of U.S. defense budget constraints, L-3 is completing employment reduction actions across several of its businesses to reduce both direct and indirect costs, including overhead and general and administrative costs. As a result of these initiatives and due to the impact of U.S. defense budget constraints at certain affected business units, the Company recorded $4 million and $10 million in employee severance and other termination costs, with respect to approximately 740 employees, during the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a total of $30 million in employee severance and other termination costs with respect to approximately 2,000 employees. Employee severance and other termination costs are reported within cost of sales on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The remaining balance to be paid in connection with these initiatives was $6 million at September 25, 2015 and $11 million at December 31, 2014, which is expected to be paid primarily by the first half of 2016. Employee severance and other termination costs incurred by reportable segment for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014 are presented in the table below.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Reportable Segment
Electronic Systems	$	2	$	—	$	4	$	14
Aerospace Systems		1		1		3		3
Communication Systems		1		2		3		5
NSS		—		—		—		1
Consolidated	$	4	$	3	$	10	$	23

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 1.95	$ 1.80
Retained Earnings [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 1.95	$ 1.80

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Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries

23.  Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries

L-3 Communications is a 100% owned subsidiary of L-3 Holdings. The debt of L-3 Communications, including the Senior Notes and borrowings under amounts drawn against the Credit Facility is guaranteed, on a joint and several, full and unconditional basis, by certain of its domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) and, in the case of the Credit Facility, by L-3 Holdings. See Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information. The foreign subsidiaries and certain domestic subsidiaries of L-3 Communications (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) do not guarantee the debt of L-3 Communications or L-3 Holdings. None of the debt of L-3 Communications has been issued by its subsidiaries. There are no restrictions on the payment of dividends from the Guarantor Subsidiaries to L-3 Communications or from L-3 Communications to L-3 Holdings.

Under the terms of the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the guarantees of the Senior Notes will automatically and unconditionally be released and discharged: (1) upon the release of all guarantees of all other outstanding indebtedness of L-3 Communications Corporation, or (2) upon the determination that such guarantor is no longer a “domestic subsidiary.” In addition, the guarantees of the Senior Notes will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of any guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale of all of the capital stock of such guarantor.

The following unaudited condensed combining financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of: (1) L-3 Holdings, excluding L-3 Communications and its consolidated subsidiaries (the Parent), (2) L-3 Communications, excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, (3) the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (4) the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and (5) the eliminations to arrive at the information for L-3 on a consolidated basis.

	L-3 Holdings (Parent)			L-3 Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated L-3
	(in millions)
Condensed Combining Balance Sheets:
At September 25, 2015:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	170		$	1		$	167		$	(15	)	$	323
Billed receivables, net		—			260			318			218			—			796
Contracts in process		—			938			1,197			348			—			2,483
Other current assets		—			413			163			117			—			693
Total current assets		—			1,781			1,679			850			(15	)		4,295
Goodwill		—			2,317			3,777			1,018			—			7,112
Other assets		—			800			552			277			—			1,629
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries		4,584			6,294			4,475			—			(15,353	)		—
Total assets	$	4,584		$	11,192		$	10,483		$	2,145		$	(15,368	)	$	13,036
Current liabilities	$	—		$	931		$	1,044		$	504		$	(15	)	$	2,464
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		—			—			—			16			(16	)		—
Other long-term liabilities		—			1,737			203			33			—			1,973
Long-term debt		—			3,940			—			—			—			3,940
Total liabilities		—			6,608			1,247			553			(31	)		8,377
L-3 shareholders’ equity		4,584			4,584			9,236			1,592			(15,412	)		4,584
Noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			75			75
Total equity		4,584			4,584			9,236			1,592			(15,337	)		4,659
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,584		$	11,192		$	10,483		$	2,145		$	(15,368	)	$	13,036
At December 31, 2014:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	361		$	1		$	142		$	(62	)	$	442
Billed receivables, net		—			320			329			203			—			852
Contracts in process		—			867			1,144			284			—			2,295
Other current assets		—			365			141			95			—			601
Assets held for sale		—			—			52			495			—			547
Total current assets		—			1,913			1,667			1,219			(62	)		4,737
Goodwill		—			2,308			4,280			913			—			7,501
Other assets		—			817			576			205			—			1,598
Investment in and amounts due from consolidated subsidiaries		5,285			6,855			4,157			—			(16,297	)		—
Total assets	$	5,285		$	11,893		$	10,680		$	2,337		$	(16,359	)	$	13,836
Current liabilities	$	—		$	878		$	1,017		$	455		$	(62	)	$	2,288
Liabilities held for sale		—			—			10			227			—			237
Amounts due to consolidated subsidiaries		—			—			—			333			(333	)		—
Other long-term liabilities		—			1,791			190			31			—			2,012
Long-term debt		—			3,939			—			—			—			3,939
Total liabilities		—			6,608			1,217			1,046			(395	)		8,476
L-3 shareholders’ equity		5,285			5,285			9,463			1,291			(16,039	)		5,285
Noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			75			75
Total equity		5,285			5,285			9,463			1,291			(15,964	)		5,360
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,285		$	11,893		$	10,680		$	2,337		$	(16,359	)	$	13,836
Condensed Combining Statements of Operations:
For the quarter ended September 25, 2015:
Total net sales	$	—		$	873		$	1,584		$	449		$	(89	)	$	2,817
Total cost of sales		(12	)		(790	)		(1,442	)		(388	)		101			(2,531	)
Loss related to business divestitures		—			(8	)		(1	)		—			—			(9	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(491	)		—			—			(491	)
Operating (loss) income		(12	)		75			(350	)		61			12			(214	)
Interest expense		—			(47	)		—			—			—			(47	)
Interest and other income, net		—			2			—			1			—			3
(Loss) income before income taxes		(12	)		30			(350	)		62			12			(258	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		7			(10	)		(14	)		(14	)		(7	)		(38	)
Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(294	)		(319	)		—			—			613			—
Net (loss) income		(299	)		(299	)		(364	)		48			618			(296	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(3	)		(3	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	(299	)	$	(364	)	$	48		$	615		$	(299	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to L-3	$	(351	)	$	(351	)	$	(370	)	$	(9	)	$	730		$	(351	)
For the quarter ended September 26, 2014:
Total net sales	$	—		$	860		$	1,628		$	525		$	(73	)	$	2,940
Total cost of sales		(10	)		(787	)		(1,500	)		(469	)		83			(2,683	)
Operating (loss) income		(10	)		73			128			56			10			257
Interest expense		—			(46	)		(2	)		1			—			(47	)
Interest and other income, net		—			4			—			1			—			5
(Loss) income before income taxes		(10	)		31			126			58			10			215
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		3			(8	)		(34	)		(16	)		(3	)		(58	)
Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries		161			131			—			—			(292	)		—
Net income		154			154			92			42			(285	)		157
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(3	)		(3	)
Net income attributable to L-3	$	154		$	154		$	92		$	42		$	(288	)	$	154
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	$	90		$	90		$	89		$	(22	)	$	(157	)	$	90
Condensed Combining Statements of Operations:
For the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015:
Total net sales	$	—		$	2,539		$	4,574		$	1,442		$	(232	)	$	8,323
Total cost of sales		(36	)		(2,313	)		(4,295	)		(1,275	)		268			(7,651	)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures		—			(13	)		(29	)		13			—			(29	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(491	)		—			—			(491	)
Operating (loss) income		(36	)		213			(241	)		180			36			152
Interest expense		—			(138	)		(1	)		—			—			(139	)
Interest and other income, net		—			9			—			2			—			11
(Loss) income before income taxes		(36	)		84			(242	)		182			36			24
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		11			(19	)		(33	)		(35	)		(11	)		(87	)
Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(49	)		(139	)		—			—			188			—
Net (loss) income		(74	)		(74	)		(275	)		147			213			(63	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(11	)		(11	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(74	)	$	(74	)	$	(275	)	$	147		$	202		$	(74	)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(120	)	$	(120	)	$	(280	)	$	73		$	327		$	(120	)
For the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014:
Total net sales	$	—		$	2,606		$	4,908		$	1,623		$	(221	)	$	8,916
Total cost of sales		(39	)		(2,354	)		(4,533	)		(1,468	)		260			(8,134	)
Operating (loss) income		(39	)		252			375			155			39			782
Interest expense		(2	)		(127	)		(2	)		—			2			(129	)
Interest and other income, net		—			12			—			2			—			14
(Loss) income before income taxes		(41	)		137			373			157			41			667
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		12			(41	)		(110	)		(46	)		(12	)		(197	)
Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries		490			365			—			—			(855	)		—
Net income		461			461			263			111			(826	)		470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			(9	)		(9	)
Net income attributable to L-3	$	461		$	461		$	263		$	111		$	(835	)	$	461
Comprehensive income attributable to L-3	$	411		$	411		$	264		$	53		$	(728	)	$	411
Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows
For the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015:
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$	768		$	337		$	348		$	66		$	(888	)	$	631
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(260	)		—			—			—			(260	)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances		—			4			27			277			—			308
Investments in L-3 Communications		(33	)		—			—			—			33			—
Other investing activities		—			(63	)		(45	)		(26	)		—			(134	)
Net cash (used in) from investing activities		(33	)		(319	)		(18	)		251			33			(86	)
Financing activities:
Common stock repurchased		(605	)		—			—			—			—			(605	)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings common stock		(163	)		—			—			—			—			(163	)
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings		—			(768	)		—			—			768			—
Investments from L-3 Holdings		—			33			—			—			(33	)		—
Other financing activities		33			526			(331	)		(338	)		167			57
Net cash used in financing activities		(735	)		(209	)		(331	)		(338	)		902			(711	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash		—			—			—			(14	)		—			(14	)
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale		—			—			1			60			—			61
Net (decrease) increase in cash		—			(191	)		—			25			47			(119	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		—			361			1			142			(62	)		442
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	170		$	1		$	167		$	(15	)	$	323
For the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014:
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$	1,506		$	201		$	382		$	69		$	(1,553	)	$	605
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(57	)		—			—			—			(57	)
Investments in L-3 Communications		(87	)		—			—			—			87			—
Other investing activities		—			(37	)		(52	)		(16	)		—			(105	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(87	)		(94	)		(52	)		(16	)		87			(162	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes		—			996			—			—			—			996
Retirement of CODES		(935	)		—			—			—			—			(935	)
Common stock repurchased		(413	)		—			—			—			—			(413	)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings common stock		(158	)		—			—			—			—			(158	)
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings		—			(1,506	)		—			—			1,506			—
Investments from L-3 Holdings		—			87			—			—			(87	)		—
Other financing activities		87			388			(329	)		(66	)		4			84
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,419	)		(35	)		(329	)		(66	)		1,423			(426	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash		—			—			—			(9	)		—			(9	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		—			72			1			(22	)		(43	)		8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		—			258			—			261			(19	)		500
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	—		$	330		$	1		$	239		$	(62	)	$	508

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Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Estimated net amount of existing losses expected to be reclassified into income within the next 12 months	$ 10
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency forward contracts, maturity year	2018

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (AOCI) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Summary of Amounts Reclassified from AOCI into Net Income

The changes in the AOCI balances, including amounts reclassified from AOCI into net income, are presented in the table below.

	Foreign currency translation			Unrealized (losses) gains on hedging instruments			Unrecognized losses and prior service cost, net			Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	19		$	(5	)	$	(598	)	$	(584	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(125	)		(13	)		—			(138	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		41			10			41			92
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income		(84	)		(3	)		41			(46	)
Balance at September 25, 2015	$	(65	)	$	(8	)	$	(557	)	$	(630	)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	142		$	1		$	(253	)	$	(110	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(57	)		(5	)		—			(62	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			5			7			12
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income		(57	)		—			7			(50	)
Balance at September 26, 2014	$	85		$	1		$	(246	)	$	(160	)

Further details regarding the amounts reclassified from AOCI into net income are presented in the table below.

	Amount Reclassified from AOCI(a)												Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
Details About AOCI Components	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustment:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(41	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
		—			—			(41	)		—		Income before income taxes
		—			—			—			—		Provision for income taxes
	$	—		$	—		$	(41	)	$	—		Net income
(Losses) gains on hedging instruments:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(2	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
Other		(4	)		1			(10	)		(6	)	Cost of sales-products
		(4	)		1			(12	)		(6	)	Income before income taxes
		—			(1	)		2			1		Provision for income taxes
	$	(4	)	$	—		$	(10	)	$	(5	)	Net income
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(14	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
Net loss		(17	)		(3	)		(50	)		(11	)	(b)
		(17	)		(3	)		(64	)		(11	)	Income before income taxes
		7			1			23			4		Provision for income taxes
	$	(10	)	$	(2	)	$	(41	)	$	(7	)	Net income
Total reclassification for the period	$	(14	)	$	(2	)	$	(92	)	$	(12	)	Net income

^(a)  Amounts in parenthesis indicate charges to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

^(b)  Amounts related to pension and postretirement benefit plans were reclassified from AOCI and recorded as a component of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 18 for additional information).

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Debt issuance costs	$ 22	$ 27

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Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt and Reconciliation to Carrying Amount of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of long-term debt	$ 3,950	$ 3,950
Carrying amount of long-term debt	$ 3,940	$ 3,939
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility
3.95% Senior Notes due 2016	$ 500	$ 500
1.50% Senior Notes due 2017	350	350
5.20% Senior Notes due 2019	1,000	1,000
4.75% Senior Notes due 2020	800	800
4.95% Senior Notes due 2021	650	650
3.95% Senior Notes due 2024	650	650
Carrying amount of long-term debt	3,940	3,939
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discounts	(10)	(11)
Carrying amount of long-term debt	$ 3,940	$ 3,939

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 323	$ 442
Billed receivables, net of allowances of $13 in 2015 and $14 in 2014	796	852
Contracts in process	2,483	2,295
Inventories	374	288
Deferred income taxes	129	127
Other current assets	190	186
Assets held for sale		547
Total current assets	4,295	4,737
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,108	1,088
Goodwill	7,112	7,501
Identifiable intangible assets	256	243
Deferred debt issue costs	22	27
Other assets	243	240
Total assets	13,036	13,836
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, trade	490	382
Accrued employment costs	562	510
Accrued expenses	369	402
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred	629	573
Income taxes	18	23
Other current liabilities	396	398
Liabilities held for sale		237
Total current liabilities	2,464	2,525
Pension and postretirement benefits	1,163	1,187
Deferred income taxes	407	443
Other liabilities	403	382
Long-term debt	3,940	3,939
Total liabilities	$ 8,377	$ 8,476
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 17)
L-3 shareholders' equity:
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.'s common stock: $.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized, 79,004,449 shares outstanding at September 25, 2015 and 82,040,525 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 (L-3 Communications Corporation's common stock: $.01 par value, 100 shares authorized, issued and outstanding)	$ 5,985	$ 5,799
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.'s treasury stock (at cost), 78,177,799 shares at September 25, 2015 and 73,005,891 shares at December 31, 2014	(6,716)	(6,111)
Retained earnings	5,945	6,181
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(630)	(584)
Total L-3 shareholders' equity	4,584	5,285
Noncontrolling interests	75	75
Total equity	4,659	5,360
Total liabilities and equity	$ 13,036	$ 13,836

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

	Pension Plans												Postretirement Benefit Plans
	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended						Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	29		$	26		$	93		$	80		$	—		$	(2	)	$	2		$	—
Interest cost		38			37			112			110			1			4			5			8
Expected return on plan assets		(51	)		(48	)		(155	)		(145	)		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)		(3	)
Amortization of prior service costs (credits)		—			—			1			1			—			—			(2	)		(1	)
Amortization of net loss (gain)		17			4			51			13			—			(1	)		—			(2	)
Curtailment loss		3			—			3			1			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	36		$	19		$	105		$	60		$	—		$	(1	)	$	2		$	1

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Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 25, 2015
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Ownership percentage held in subsidiary	100.00%

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net of income taxes benefits on unrealized gains on hedging instruments	$ 3	$ 1	$ 2
Income taxes on amortization of net loss and prior service cost previously recognized	$ 7	$ 1	18	$ 4
Income tax expense on net gain arising during the period			$ 5

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Employee Severance and Termination Costs - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($) Employees	Sep. 26, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($) Employees	Sep. 26, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Employees
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Employee severance and other termination costs			$ 4	$ 3	$ 10	$ 23	$ 30
Number of employees terminated | Employees			740		740		2,000
Remaining balance of employee termination costs	$ 6	$ 11

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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Schedule of Net Sales and Income Before Income Taxes for MSI, BSI and Tinsley Product Line (Detail) - MSI, BSI and Tinsley Product Line [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1	$ 126	$ 201	$ 420
Income before income taxes	$ 1	$ 3	$ 2	$ 13

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Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries - Condensed Combining Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$ 631	$ 605
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(260)	$ (57)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances	$ 308
Investments in L-3 Communications
Other investing activities	$ (134)	$ (105)
Net cash used in investing activities	(86)	(162)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes		996
Retirement of CODES		(935)
Common stock repurchased	(605)	(413)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings' common stock	$ (163)	$ (158)
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings
Investments from L-3 Holdings
Other financing activities	$ 57	$ 84
Net cash used in financing activities	(711)	(426)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash	(14)	(9)
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale	61
Net (decrease) increase in cash	(119)	8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	442	500
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	323	508
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	768	$ 1,506
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Investments in L-3 Communications	(33)	$ (87)
Net cash used in investing activities	(33)	(87)
Financing activities:
Retirement of CODES		(935)
Common stock repurchased	(605)	(413)
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings' common stock	(163)	(158)
Other financing activities	33	87
Net cash used in financing activities	(735)	$ (1,419)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
Net (decrease) increase in cash
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	337	$ 201
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(260)	$ (57)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances	$ 4
Investments in L-3 Communications
Other investing activities	$ (63)	$ (37)
Net cash used in investing activities	$ (319)	(94)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes		$ 996
Retirement of CODES
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings' common stock
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings	$ (768)	$ (1,506)
Investments from L-3 Holdings	33	87
Other financing activities	526	388
Net cash used in financing activities	$ (209)	$ (35)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale
Net (decrease) increase in cash	$ (191)	$ 72
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	361	258
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	170	330
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$ 348	$ 382
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances	$ 27
Investments in L-3 Communications
Other investing activities	$ (45)	$ (52)
Net cash used in investing activities	$ (18)	$ (52)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes
Retirement of CODES
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings' common stock
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings
Investments from L-3 Holdings
Other financing activities	$ (331)	$ (329)
Net cash used in financing activities	$ (331)	$ (329)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale	$ 1
Net (decrease) increase in cash		$ 1
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	$ 1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	1	$ 1
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$ 66	$ 69
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances	$ 277
Investments in L-3 Communications
Other investing activities	$ (26)	$ (16)
Net cash used in investing activities	$ 251	$ (16)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes
Retirement of CODES
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings' common stock
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings
Investments from L-3 Holdings
Other financing activities	$ (338)	$ (66)
Net cash used in financing activities	(338)	(66)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash	(14)	(9)
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale	60
Net (decrease) increase in cash	25	(22)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	142	261
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	167	239
Eliminations [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$ (888)	$ (1,553)
Investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of closing date cash balances
Investments in L-3 Communications	$ 33	$ 87
Other investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities	$ 33	$ 87
Financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Senior Notes
Retirement of CODES
Common stock repurchased
Dividends paid on L-3 Holdings' common stock
Dividends paid to L-3 Holdings	$ 768	$ 1,506
Investments from L-3 Holdings	(33)	(87)
Other financing activities	167	4
Net cash used in financing activities	$ 902	$ 1,423
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
Change in cash balance in assets held for sale
Net (decrease) increase in cash	$ 47	$ (43)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	(62)	(19)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$ (15)	$ (62)

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Contracts in Process (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Text Block [Abstract]

Components of Contracts in Process

The components of contracts in process are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Unbilled contract receivables, gross	$	2,626		$	2,280
Unliquidated progress payments		(1,057	)		(887	)
Unbilled contract receivables, net		1,569			1,393
Inventoried contract costs, gross		1,033			997
Unliquidated progress payments		(119	)		(95	)
Inventoried contract costs, net		914			902
Total contracts in process	$	2,483		$	2,295

General and Administrative, Independent Research and Development and Bid and Proposal Costs

The table below presents a summary of G&A, IRAD and B&P costs included in inventoried contract costs and the changes to them, including amounts charged to cost of sales by the Company’s U.S. Government contractor businesses for the periods presented.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at beginning of the period	$	149		$	146		$	138		$	133
Contract costs incurred:
IRAD and B&P		70			70			210			213
Other G&A		219			230			640			645
Total		289			300			850			858
Amounts charged to cost of sales		(269	)		(300	)		(819	)		(845	)
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at end of the period	$	169		$	146		$	169		$	146

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Research and Development Expenses

The table below presents a summary of selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses for the Company’s commercial businesses, which are expensed as incurred and included in cost of sales on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date  Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	53	$	72	$	198	$	225
Research and development expenses		13		15		40		51
Total	$	66	$	87	$	238	$	276

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Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015	Jun. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 7,112	$ 7,112		$ 7,501
Goodwill, non-cash impairment charge	491	491
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	549	549
NSS [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	515	515	$ 1,006	1,006
Goodwill, non-cash impairment charge	491	491
Goodwill, non-cash impairment charge after income taxes	463
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	491	491
Electronic Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,895	$ 3,895		3,773
Goodwill, non-cash impairment charge
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	43	$ 43
Communication Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,003	$ 1,003		$ 992
Goodwill, non-cash impairment charge
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	$ 15	$ 15

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L-3 Holdings' Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

L-3 Holdings' Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

13.  L-3 Holdings’ Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) is presented in the table below.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions, except per share data)
Reconciliation of net (loss) income:
Net (loss) income	$	(296	)	$	157		$	(63	)	$	470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3	)		(3	)		(11	)		(9	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders	$	(299	)	$	154		$	(74	)	$	461
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders:
Basic:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			85.1			81.5			85.7
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$	(3.74	)	$	1.81		$	(0.91	)	$	5.38
Diluted:
Common and potential common shares(1):
Weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			85.1			81.5			85.7
Assumed exercise of stock options		—			2.8			—			3.0
Unvested restricted stock awards		—			1.5			—			1.6
Employee stock purchase plan contributions		—			—			—			0.1
Performance unit awards		—			0.1			—			0.1
Assumed purchase of common shares for treasury		—			(2.9	)		—			(3.2	)
Assumed conversion of the CODES(2)		—			—			—			1.1
Common and potential common shares		80.0			86.6			81.5			88.4
Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$	(3.74	)	$	1.78		$	(0.91	)	$	5.21

⁽¹⁾  Due to a loss for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015, zero incremental weighted average potential common shares are included because the effect would be antidilutive.

⁽²⁾  L-3 Holdings’ 3% Convertible Contingent Debt Securities (CODES) due 2035 were retired on June 20, 2014, and were dilutive for the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014 as the average market price of L-3 Holdings’ common stock during the period that the CODES were outstanding was greater than the price at which the CODES would have been convertible into L-3 Holdings’ common stock. As of June 18, 2014, the final date of conversion, the conversion price was $88.71.

The computation of diluted EPS excludes shares for stock options, restricted stock awards, employee stock plan contributions and performance unit awards of 4.5 million for each of the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015, and shares for stock options and employee stock purchase plan contributions of 0.6 million and 0.5 million for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 26, 2014, respectively, as they were anti-dilutive.

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Inventories (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories at Lower of Cost or Market

Inventories at Lower of Cost or Market. The table below presents the components of inventories at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out or average cost) or realizable value.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Raw materials, components and sub-assemblies	$	188	$	127
Work in process		114		97
Finished goods		72		64
Total	$	374	$	288

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Condensed Combining Financial Information of L-3 Communications and Its Subsidiaries - Condensed Combining Statements of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 2,817	$ 2,940	$ 8,323	$ 8,916
Total cost of sales	(2,531)	(2,683)	(7,651)	(8,134)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures	(9)		(29)
Impairment charge	(491)		(491)
Operating (loss) income	(214)	257	152	782
Interest expense	(47)	(47)	(139)	(129)
Interest and other income, net	3	5	11	14
(Loss) income before income taxes	(258)	215	24	667
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ (38)	$ (58)	$ (87)	$ (197)
Equity in net (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries
Net (loss) income	$ (296)	$ 157	$ (63)	$ 470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)	(3)	(11)	(9)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	(299)	154	(74)	461
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	$ (351)	$ 90	$ (120)	$ 411
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total net sales
Total cost of sales	$ (12)	$ (10)	$ (36)	$ (39)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures
Impairment charge
Operating (loss) income	$ (12)	$ (10)	$ (36)	(39)
Interest expense				$ (2)
Interest and other income, net
(Loss) income before income taxes	$ (12)	$ (10)	$ (36)	$ (41)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	7	3	11	12
Equity in net (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	(294)	161	(49)	490
Net (loss) income	$ (299)	$ 154	$ (74)	$ 461
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$ (299)	$ 154	$ (74)	$ 461
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	(351)	90	(120)	411
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total net sales	873	860	2,539	2,606
Total cost of sales	(790)	(787)	(2,313)	(2,354)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures	$ (8)		$ (13)
Impairment charge
Operating (loss) income	$ 75	73	$ 213	252
Interest expense	(47)	(46)	(138)	(127)
Interest and other income, net	2	4	9	12
(Loss) income before income taxes	30	31	84	137
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(10)	(8)	(19)	(41)
Equity in net (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	(319)	131	(139)	365
Net (loss) income	$ (299)	$ 154	$ (74)	$ 461
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$ (299)	$ 154	$ (74)	$ 461
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	(351)	90	(120)	411
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total net sales	1,584	1,628	4,574	4,908
Total cost of sales	(1,442)	(1,500)	(4,295)	(4,533)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures	(1)		(29)
Impairment charge	(491)		(491)
Operating (loss) income	$ (350)	128	(241)	375
Interest expense		$ (2)	$ (1)	$ (2)
Interest and other income, net
(Loss) income before income taxes	$ (350)	$ 126	$ (242)	$ 373
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ (14)	$ (34)	$ (33)	$ (110)
Equity in net (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries
Net (loss) income	$ (364)	$ 92	$ (275)	$ 263
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$ (364)	$ 92	$ (275)	$ 263
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	(370)	89	(280)	264
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total net sales	449	525	1,442	1,623
Total cost of sales	$ (388)	(469)	(1,275)	(1,468)
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures			$ 13
Impairment charge
Operating (loss) income	$ 61	56	$ 180	$ 155
Interest expense		1
Interest and other income, net	$ 1	1	$ 2	$ 2
(Loss) income before income taxes	62	58	182	157
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ (14)	$ (16)	$ (35)	$ (46)
Equity in net (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries
Net (loss) income	$ 48	$ 42	$ 147	$ 111
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$ 48	$ 42	$ 147	$ 111
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	(9)	(22)	73	53
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total net sales	(89)	(73)	(232)	(221)
Total cost of sales	$ 101	83	$ 268	260
(Loss) gain related to business divestitures
Impairment charge
Operating (loss) income	$ 12	$ 10	$ 36	39
Interest expense				$ 2
Interest and other income, net
(Loss) income before income taxes	$ 12	$ 10	$ 36	$ 41
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(7)	(3)	(11)	(12)
Equity in net (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries	613	(292)	188	(855)
Net (loss) income	618	(285)	213	(826)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)	(3)	(11)	(9)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	615	(288)	202	(835)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to L-3	$ 730	$ (157)	$ 327	$ (728)

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Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

15.  Financial Instruments

At September 25, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s financial instruments consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents, billed receivables, trade accounts payable, Senior Notes and foreign currency forward contracts. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, billed receivables and trade accounts payable are representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term maturities or the expected settlement dates of these instruments. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value
	(in millions)
Senior Notes(1)	$	3,940		$	4,068		$	3,939		$	4,178
Foreign currency forward contracts(2)	$	(13	)	$	(13	)	$	(6	)	$	(6	)

⁽¹⁾  The Company measures the fair value of its Senior Notes using Level 2 inputs based primarily on current market yields for its existing debt traded in the secondary market.

⁽²⁾  The Company measures the fair values of foreign currency forward contracts based on forward exchange rates. See Note 16 for additional disclosures regarding the notional amounts and fair values of foreign currency forward contracts.

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Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	$ 38
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	38
Estimated amortization expense, 2017	35
Estimated amortization expense, 2018	30
Estimated amortization expense, 2019	$ 27

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 6,056	$ 1	$ 5,652	$ (5,288)	$ 5,726	$ (110)	$ 75
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013		85.8
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net (loss) income	470				461		9
Other comprehensive loss	(50)					(50)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(8)						(8)
Cash dividends declared on common stock	(159)				(159)
Shares issued:
Employee savings plans	105		105
Employee savings plans, Shares		1.0
Exercise of stock options	102		102
Exercise of stock options, Shares		1.1
Employee stock purchase plan	18		18
Employee stock purchase plan, Shares		0.3
Vesting of restricted stock units	0	$ 0	0	0	0	0	0
Vesting of restricted stock units, Shares		0.7
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding	(27)		(27)
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding, Shares		(0.2)
Stock-based compensation expense	39		39
Treasury stock purchased	(413)			(413)
Treasury stock purchased, Shares		(3.6)
Retirement of Convertible Contingent Debt Securities	(160)		(160)
Other	6		6
Other, Shares
Ending Balance at Sep. 26, 2014	5,979	$ 1	5,735	(5,701)	6,028	(160)	76
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 26, 2014		85.1
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	5,360	$ 1	5,798	(6,111)	6,181	(584)	75
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		82.0
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net (loss) income	(63)				(74)		11
Other comprehensive loss	(46)					(46)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11)						(11)
Cash dividends declared on common stock	(162)				(162)
Shares issued:
Employee savings plans	95		95
Employee savings plans, Shares		0.8
Exercise of stock options	65		65
Exercise of stock options, Shares		0.6
Employee stock purchase plan	17		17
Employee stock purchase plan, Shares		0.3
Vesting of restricted stock units	0	$ 0	0	0	0	0	0
Vesting of restricted stock units, Shares		0.7
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding	(33)		(33)
Employee restricted stock units surrendered in lieu of income tax withholding, Shares		(0.2)
Stock-based compensation expense	36		36
Treasury stock purchased	(605)			(605)
Treasury stock purchased, Shares		(5.2)
Other	6		6
Other, Shares
Ending Balance at Sep. 25, 2015	$ 4,659	$ 1	$ 5,984	$ (6,716)	$ 5,945	$ (630)	$ 75
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 25, 2015		79.0

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Allowances for billed receivables	$ 13	$ 14
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	79,004,449	82,040,525
Treasury stock (at cost), shares	78,177,799	73,005,891
L-3 Communications Corporation [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100	100
Common stock, shares issued	100	100
Common stock, shares outstanding	100	100

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Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Text Block [Abstract]

Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities

8.  Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities

The table below presents the components of other current liabilities.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Other Current Liabilities:
Accruals for pending and threatened litigation (see Note 17)	$	45	$	38
Estimated costs in excess of estimated contract value to complete contracts in process in a loss position		79		75
Accrued product warranty costs		59		59
Accrued interest		52		46
Deferred revenues		29		30
Other		132		150
Total other current liabilities	$	396	$	398

The table below presents the components of other liabilities.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Other Liabilities:
Non-current income taxes payable (see Note 10)	$	193	$	196
Deferred compensation		45		43
Accrued workers’ compensation		35		38
Accrued product warranty costs		34		34
Notes payable and capital lease obligations		9		1
Other		87		70
Total other liabilities	$	403	$	382

The table below presents the changes in the Company’s accrued product warranty costs.

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Accrued product warranty costs:(1)
Balance at January 1	$	93		$	99
Acquisitions during the period		1			—
Accruals for product warranties issued during the period		46			53
Settlements made during the period		(46	)		(46	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(1	)		(1	)
Balance at end of period	$	93		$	105

⁽¹⁾  Warranty obligations incurred in connection with long-term production contracts that are accounted for under the POC cost-to-cost method are included within the contract estimates at completion and are excluded from the above amounts. The balances above include both the current and non-current amounts.

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Segment Information - Summary of Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Sales:
Net Sales	$ 2,817	$ 2,940	$ 8,323	$ 8,916
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	(214)	257	152	782
Loss related to business divestitures	(9)		(29)
Impairment charge	(491)		(491)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	$ 54	56	$ 164	165
Total Assets:
Assets held for sale					$ 547
Total Assets	$ 13,036		$ 13,036		13,836
Electronic Systems [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge
Aerospace Systems [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge
Communication Systems [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge
NSS [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge	(491)		$ (491)
Operating Segments [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	286	$ 257	672	$ 782
Loss related to business divestitures	(9)		(29)
Impairment charge	(491)		(491)
Operating Segments [Member] | Electronic Systems [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	1,014	$ 1,128	3,113	$ 3,349
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	123	125	356	383
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	26	30	81	89
Total Assets:
Total Assets	6,672		6,672		6,287
Operating Segments [Member] | Aerospace Systems [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	1,068	1,037	3,092	3,173
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	103	64	148	196
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	13	11	37	30
Total Assets:
Total Assets	3,103		3,103		3,011
Operating Segments [Member] | Communication Systems [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	516	507	1,474	1,562
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	53	49	140	147
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	12	13	37	38
Total Assets:
Total Assets	1,990		1,990		1,997
Operating Segments [Member] | NSS [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	267	307	774	948
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	7	19	28	56
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	3	2	9	8
Total Assets:
Total Assets	777		777		1,287
Corporate [Member]
Total Assets:
Total Assets	494		494		$ 707
Elimination of Intercompany Sales [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	$ (48)	$ (39)	$ (130)	$ (116)

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest paid on outstanding debt	$ 127	$ 123
Income tax payments	114	116
Income tax refunds	$ 6	$ 8

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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Oct. 23, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 25, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	LLL
Entity Registrant Name	L 3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001056239
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,387,731

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Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

9.  Debt

The components of long-term debt and a reconciliation to the carrying amount of long-term debt are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
L-3 Communications:
Borrowings under Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility(1)	$	—		$	—
3.95% Senior Notes due 2016		500			500
1.50% Senior Notes due 2017		350			350
5.20% Senior Notes due 2019		1,000			1,000
4.75% Senior Notes due 2020		800			800
4.95% Senior Notes due 2021		650			650
3.95% Senior Notes due 2024		650			650
Principal amount of long-term debt		3,950			3,950
Unamortized discounts		(10	)		(11	)
Carrying amount of long-term debt	$	3,940		$	3,939

⁽¹⁾  During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, L-3 Communications’ aggregate borrowings and repayments under the Credit Facility were each $861 million. At September 25, 2015, L-3 Communications had the full availability of its $1 billion Credit Facility, which expires on February 3, 2017.

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Fair Value Measurements - Company's Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Cash equivalents	$ 182	$ 416
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)
Total assets	$ 182	$ 416
Liabilities
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)
Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Cash equivalents
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)	$ 2	$ 5
Total assets	2	5
Liabilities
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)	$ 15	$ 11
Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Cash equivalents
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)
Total assets
Liabilities
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)

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Stock-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Assumptions in Valuation Model (Detail) - Stock Options [Member]	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected holding period (in years)	5 years
Expected volatility	21.40%
Expected dividend yield	2.40%
Risk-free interest rate	1.50%

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Net sales:
Products	$ 1,612	$ 1,644	$ 4,761	$ 4,991
Services	1,205	1,296	3,562	3,925
Total net sales	2,817	2,940	8,323	8,916
Cost of sales:
Products	(1,417)	(1,480)	(4,335)	(4,498)
Services	(1,114)	(1,203)	(3,316)	(3,636)
Total cost of sales	(2,531)	(2,683)	(7,651)	(8,134)
Loss related to business divestitures	(9)		(29)
Impairment charge	(491)		(491)
Operating (loss) income	(214)	257	152	782
Interest expense	(47)	(47)	(139)	(129)
Interest and other income, net	3	5	11	14
(Loss) income before income taxes	(258)	215	24	667
Provision for income taxes	(38)	(58)	(87)	(197)
Net (loss) income	(296)	157	(63)	470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)	(3)	(11)	(9)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$ (299)	$ 154	$ (74)	$ 461
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to L-3 Holdings' common shareholders:
Basic	$ (3.74)	$ 1.81	$ (0.91)	$ 5.38
Diluted	(3.74)	1.78	(0.91)	5.21
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.65	$ 0.60	$ 1.95	$ 1.80
L-3 Holdings' weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	80.0	85.1	81.5	85.7
Diluted	80.0	86.6	81.5	88.4

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

3.  Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-11, to simplify the measurement of inventory. This update requires that inventory measured at first in, first out or average cost be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-3, to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This update requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability, consistent with the required presentation for debt discounts. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard will change the Company’s current practice of presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and will result in a reduction of total assets and total liabilities in an amount equal to the balance of unamortized debt issuance costs at each balance sheet date. The Company has not elected to early adopt this standard and debt issuance costs amounted to $22 million at September 25, 2015 and $27 million at December 31, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers and significantly expand the disclosure requirements for revenue arrangements. The new standard, as amended, will be effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018, with early application permitted beginning on January 1, 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and the transition alternatives available. As the new standard will supersede substantially all existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition on substantially all of the Company’s contracts, in addition to the Company’s business processes and information technology systems. As a result, the Company’s evaluation of the impact of the standard will extend over future periods.

Other accounting standard updates effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 are not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

2.  Basis of Presentation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications included in their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Principles of Consolidation and Reporting

The accompanying financial statements comprise the consolidated financial statements of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications. L-3 Holdings’ only asset is its investment in the common stock of L-3 Communications, its wholly-owned subsidiary, and its only obligations are: (1) its guarantee of borrowings under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (Credit Facility) of L-3 Communications and (2) its guarantee of other contractual obligations of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries. All issuances of and conversions into L-3 Holdings’ equity securities, including grants of stock options, restricted stock units and performance units by L-3 Holdings to employees and directors of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries, have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements of L-3 Communications. As a result, the consolidated financial positions, results of operations and cash flows of L-3 Holdings and L-3 Communications are substantially the same. See Note 23 for additional information regarding the unaudited financial information of L-3 Communications and its subsidiaries.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for a complete set of annual audited financial statements. The December 31, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

It is the Company’s established practice to close its books for the quarters ending March, June and September on the Friday preceding the end of the calendar quarter. The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared and are labeled based on that convention. The Company closes its books for annual periods on December 31 regardless of what day it falls on.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior-year amounts to the current-year presentation.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and costs of sales during the reporting period. The most significant of these estimates and assumptions for L-3 relate to contract revenue, profit and loss recognition, fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, market values for inventories reported at lower of cost or market, pension and post-retirement benefit obligations, stock-based employee compensation expense, income taxes, including the valuation of deferred tax assets, litigation reserves and environmental obligations, accrued product warranty costs, and the recoverability, useful lives and valuation of recorded amounts of long-lived assets, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Changes in estimates are reflected in the periods during which they become known. Actual amounts will differ from these estimates and could differ materially.

Sales and profits on contracts that are covered by accounting standards for construction-type and production-type contracts and federal government contractors are recognized using percentage-of-completion (POC) methods of accounting. Approximately 46% of the Company’s net sales in 2014 were accounted for under contract accounting standards, of which approximately 40% were fixed-price type contracts and approximately 6% were cost-plus type contracts. For contracts that are accounted for under contract accounting standards, sales and profits are recognized based on: (1) a POC method of accounting (fixed-price contracts), (2) allowable costs incurred plus the estimated profit on those costs (cost-plus contracts), or (3) direct labor hours expended multiplied by the contractual fixed rate per hour plus incurred costs for material (time-and-material contracts). Sales and profits on fixed-price production contracts under which units are produced and delivered in a continuous or sequential process are recorded as units are delivered based on their contractual selling prices (the “units-of-delivery” method). Sales and profits on each fixed-price production contract under which units are not produced and delivered in a continuous or sequential process, or under which a relatively few number of units are produced, are recorded based on the ratio of actual cumulative costs incurred to total estimated costs at completion of the contract, multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue, less cumulative sales recognized in prior periods (the “cost-to-cost” method). Under both POC methods of accounting, a single estimated total profit margin is used to recognize profit for each contract over its entire period of performance, which can exceed one year.

Accounting for the sales and profit on these fixed-price type contracts requires the preparation of estimates of: (1) the total contract revenue, (2) the total costs at completion, which is equal to the sum of the actual incurred costs to date on the contract and the estimated costs to complete the contract’s statement of work, and (3) the measurement of progress towards completion. The estimated profit or loss at completion on a contract is equal to the difference between the total estimated contract revenue and the total estimated cost at completion. The profit recorded on a contract in any period using either the units-of-delivery method or cost-to-cost method is equal to the current estimated total profit margin multiplied by the cumulative sales recognized, less the amount of cumulative profit previously recorded for the contract.

Sales and profits on cost-plus type contracts that are covered by contract accounting standards are recognized as allowable costs are incurred on the contract, at an amount equal to the allowable costs plus the estimated profit on those costs. The estimated profit on a cost-plus type contract is fixed or variable based on the contractual fee arrangement. Incentive and award fees are the primary variable fee contractual arrangement types for the Company. Incentive and award fees on cost-plus type contracts are included as an element of total estimated contract revenues and are recorded as sales when a basis exists for the reasonable prediction of performance in relation to established contractual targets and the Company is able to make reasonably dependable estimates for them.

Sales and profits on time-and-material type contracts are recognized on the basis of direct labor hours expended multiplied by the contractual fixed rate per hour, plus the actual costs of materials and other direct non-labor costs.

Revisions or adjustments to estimates for a contract’s revenue, estimated costs at completion and estimated profit or loss are often required as work progresses under a contract, as experience is gained, as facts and circumstances change and as new information is obtained, even though the scope of work required under the contract may not change. Revisions or adjustments may also be required if contract modifications occur. The impact of revisions in profit (loss) estimates for all types of contracts subject to POC accounting are recognized on a cumulative catch-up basis in the period in which the revisions are made. The revisions in contract estimates, if significant, can materially affect the Company’s results of operations and cash flows, as well as reduce the valuations of receivables and inventories, and in some cases result in liabilities to complete contracts in a loss position. Aggregate net changes in contract estimates amounted to increases of $52 million, or 34% of consolidated operating income (8% of segment operating income) for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, and increases of $71 million, or 9% of consolidated operating income for the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014.

For a more complete discussion of these estimates and assumptions, see the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

14.  Fair Value Measurements

L-3 applies the accounting standards for fair value measurements to all of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants. The standards establish a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to observable inputs and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy level for each of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

	September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
Description	Level 1(1)		Level 2(2)		Level 3(3)		Level 1(1)		Level 2(2)		Level 3(3)
	(in millions)
Assets
Cash equivalents	$	182	$	—	$	—	$	416	$	—	$	—
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)		—		2		—		—		5		—
Total assets	$	182	$	2	$	—	$	416	$	5	$	—
Liabilities
Derivatives (foreign currency forward contracts)	$	—	$	15	$	—	$	—	$	11	$	—

⁽¹⁾  Level 1 is based on quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Cash equivalents are primarily held in registered money market funds, which are valued using quoted market prices.

⁽²⁾  Level 2 is based on pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable. The fair value is determined using a valuation model based on observable market inputs, including quoted foreign currency forward exchange rates and consideration of non-performance risk.

⁽³⁾  Level 3 is based on pricing inputs that are not observable and not corroborated by market data. The Company has no Level 3 assets or liabilities.

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

10.  Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. As of September 25, 2015, the statutes of limitations for the Company’s U.S. Federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2010 through 2014 were open. In the second quarter of 2015, the Company reached agreements relating to the audit of the Company’s 2010 and 2011 U.S. Federal income tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as well as audits of several state and foreign jurisdictions. As a result of these agreements, the Company reversed previously accrued income tax expense of $10 million, including interest and penalties. The IRS commenced an audit of the Company’s U.S. Federal income tax return for 2012. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the audit at this time.

The effective income tax rate for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 is not meaningful because income tax expense was greater than pre-tax income during the period due to the goodwill impairment charge. The marginal income tax rate on the goodwill impairment charge relating to the NSS segment was 6% because a significant portion of the NSS goodwill is not deductible for tax. Excluding the goodwill impairment charge and related income tax benefit, the effective income tax rate for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 would have decreased to 22.3%, compared to 29.5% for the same period last year primarily due to $36 million of tax benefits recorded in the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015, including: (1) $17 million of foreign tax benefits related to a legal restructuring of the Company’s foreign entities, (2) a $10 million benefit related to the resolution of various outstanding income tax matters with U.S. and foreign tax authorities, as discussed above, and (3) $9 million related to deferred tax benefits. As of September 25, 2015, the Company anticipates that unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $25 million over the next 12 months due to the potential resolution of unrecognized tax benefits involving several jurisdictions and tax periods. The actual amount of the decrease over the next 12 months could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements.

Non-current income taxes payable include accrued potential interest of $18 million ($11 million after income taxes) at September 25, 2015 and $15 million ($9 million after income taxes) at December 31, 2014, and potential penalties of $9 million at September 25, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

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Derivative Financial Instruments - Location of Company's Derivative Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, liabilities	$ 13	$ 10
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, liabilities	13	10
Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, liabilities	2	1
Other Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, liabilities	2	1
Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, assets	1	4
Other Current Assets [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, assets	1	4
Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, assets	1	1
Other Assets [Member] | Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative instruments, assets	$ 1	$ 1

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Inventories

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

6.  Inventories

Inventories at Lower of Cost or Market. The table below presents the components of inventories at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out or average cost) or realizable value.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Raw materials, components and sub-assemblies	$	188	$	127
Work in process		114		97
Finished goods		72		64
Total	$	374	$	288

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Contracts in Process - Components of Contracts in Process (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of contracts in process
Unbilled contract receivables, gross	$ 2,626	$ 2,280
Unliquidated progress payments	(1,057)	(887)
Unbilled contract receivables, net	1,569	1,393
Inventoried contract costs, gross	1,033	997
Unliquidated progress payments	(119)	(95)
Inventoried contract costs, net	914	902
Total contracts in process	$ 2,483	$ 2,295

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Acquisitions and Divestitures

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions and Divestitures

4.  Acquisitions and Divestitures

Business Acquisitions

The business acquisitions discussed below are included in the Company’s results of operations from their respective dates of acquisition.

2015 Business Acquisitions

CTC Aviation Group Acquisition. On May 27, 2015, the Company acquired CTC Aviation Group, renamed L-3 CTC Ltd. (L-3 CTC), for a purchase price of £153 million (approximately $236 million), which was financed with cash on hand. L-3 CTC is a global airline pilot training and crew resourcing specialist, based in the United Kingdom, which offers customized and innovative solutions to major airlines and flight training customers globally. This acquisition expands L-3’s commercial aviation training business, which also includes L-3 Link UK, a provider of world-class flight training simulation devices, aftermarket solutions and training, to encompass a growing portfolio of airline and third-party training company customers. The aggregate goodwill recognized for this business was $177 million, which was assigned to the Electronic Systems reportable segment, and is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The final purchase price allocation, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015, will be based on final appraisals and other analysis of fair values of acquired assets and liabilities. The Company does not expect that differences between the preliminary and final purchase price allocations will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.

MITEQ, Inc. Acquisition. On January 21, 2015, the Company acquired the assets of MITEQ, Inc. (Miteq) for a purchase price of $41 million, which was financed with cash on hand. The purchase price and purchase price allocation of Miteq was finalized as of September 25, 2015, with no significant changes to preliminary amounts. Miteq was combined with the Company’s Narda Microwave-East business and the new organization was re-named L-3 Narda-Miteq. Miteq offers a broad product line of active and passive radio frequency (RF) microwave components and low-power satellite communications (SATCOM) products for space and military applications that complement the existing Narda Microwave East product line. The combined L-3 Narda-Miteq business will provide products for the DoD, other U.S. Government agencies, prime contractors and commercial customers. The aggregate goodwill recognized for this business was $11 million, of which $4 million is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill was assigned to the Communication Systems reportable segment.

2014 Business Acquisition

Data Tactics Corporation Acquisition. On March 4, 2014, the Company acquired Data Tactics Corporation, renamed L-3 Data Tactics, for a purchase price of $57 million, which was financed with cash on hand. The purchase price and purchase price allocation for L-3 Data Tactics was finalized as of December 31, 2014, with no significant changes to preliminary amounts. L-3 Data Tactics is a specialized provider of large-scale data analytics, cybersecurity and cloud computing solution services, primarily to the DoD. Based on the final purchase price allocation, the aggregate goodwill recognized for this business was $39 million, substantially all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill was assigned to the NSS reportable segment.

Business Acquisitions Completed After September 25, 2015

ForceX, Inc. Acquisition. On October 13, 2015, the Company acquired ForceX, Inc., renamed L-3 ForceX, for a purchase price of $60 million (subject to customary adjustments for final working capital), which was financed with cash on hand. L-3 ForceX will be incorporated into the Company’s Sensor Systems sector within the Electronic Systems business segment. L-3 ForceX is an industry leader specializing in ISR mission management software and geospatial application technology programs, offering an array of advanced products, including cueing system software, hardware and video algorithms, and wide-area sensor integration solutions and software. L-3 ForceX’s proprietary processing, exploitation and dissemination capability provides an integrated tactical operational picture, allowing users to make critical decisions in real time. L-3 ForceX also provides training courseware, materials and turnkey classroom training solutions for its customers and currently supports several key DoD ISR initiatives and classified programs. L-3 ForceX’s customer base includes the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, the Naval Surface Warfare Center and a variety of DoD agencies.

Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Operations Data

The following unaudited pro forma Statements of Operations data present the combined results of the Company and its business acquisitions completed during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, in each case assuming that the business acquisitions completed during these periods had occurred on January 1, 2014.

	Third Quarter Ended					Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions, except per share data)
Pro forma net sales	$	2,817		$	2,973	$	8,357		$	9,021
Pro forma net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	156	$	(71	)	$	466
Pro forma diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(3.74	)	$	1.80	$	(0.87	)	$	5.27

The unaudited pro forma results disclosed in the table above are based on various assumptions and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the Company completed these acquisitions on January 1, 2014.

Business Divestitures

During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, the Company completed the sales of Marine Systems International (MSI), Broadcast Sports Inc. (BSI) and the Tinsley Product Line. The adjustments recorded by the Company related to the business divestitures are included in the loss related to business divestitures caption on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and are summarized and further discussed below.

	Third Quarter Ended			Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 25, 2015
	(in millions)
Loss on Tinsley Product Line divestiture	$	(8	)	$	(8	)
Loss on BSI divestiture		(1	)		(4	)
Gain on MSI divestiture		—			4
Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale		—			(17	)
Loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from MSI divestiture		—			(4	)
Total loss related to the business divestitures	$	(9	)	$	(29	)

MSI Divestiture. On May 29, 2015, the Company completed the sale of its MSI business to Wärtsilä Corporation for a preliminary purchase price of €295 million (approximately $318 million), in addition to the assumption by Wärtsilä Corporation of approximately €60 million of MSI employee pension-related liabilities. The purchase price is subject to finalization based on customary adjustments for closing date net working capital. MSI was a sector within the Company’s Electronic Systems segment, primarily selling to the commercial shipbuilding industry. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, MSI’s assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale in the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and MSI’s results of operations are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented. During the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015, the Company recorded a realized pre-tax gain of $4 million ($8 million after income tax benefits), based on the total estimated proceeds from the sale.

The accounting standards for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale require the Company to measure assets and liabilities of a disposal group, classified as held for sale, at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, at the end of each reporting period. As a result of the decline in the estimated U.S. dollar equivalent divestiture proceeds due to the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, the carrying value of the MSI disposal group exceeded its fair value at March 27, 2015. Accordingly, a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $17 million ($12 million after income taxes) was recorded during the quarterly period ended March 27, 2015.

In March 2015, L-3 entered into a forward contract to sell €285 million of the proceeds obtained from the divestiture of MSI at a rate of $1.0782. The Company accounted for this contract as an economic hedge and recorded a mark to market adjustment to earnings based on the fair value of the forward contract at March 27, 2015. Accordingly, the Company recorded an unrealized pre-tax loss of $5 million ($3 million after income taxes) during the quarterly period ended March 27, 2015. On May 29, 2015, upon settlement of the contract, the Company realized $4 million of the $5 million previously recorded pre-tax loss and recorded a $1 million pre-tax gain ($1 million after income taxes) in the quarterly period ended June 26, 2015.

The major classes of assets and liabilities included as held for sale related to MSI are presented in the table below.

	December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	61
Billed receivables, net of allowances of $6		77
Contracts in process		70
Inventories		70
Other current assets		10
Total current assets		288
Goodwill		231
Other assets		28
Total assets classified as held for sale	$	547
Liabilities
Accounts payable, trade	$	31
Accrued employment costs		22
Accrued expenses		33
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred		55
Other current liabilities		21
Total current liabilities		162
Pension and postretirement benefits		56
Other liabilities		19
Total liabilities classified as held for sale	$	237

BSI Divestiture. On April 24, 2015, the Company divested its BSI business for a sales price of $26 million. BSI is a provider of wireless technology and communications systems services for use in the field of sports television broadcasting, and was included in the Sensor Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The divestiture resulted in a pre-tax loss of $4 million ($6 million after income taxes) during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, BSI’s assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, and results of operations for all periods presented are classified as held and used in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Tinsley Product Line Divestiture. On July 27, 2015, the Company divested its Tinsley Product Line for a sales price of $4 million. Tinsley is a provider of optical components, sub-assemblies and passive sub-systems and was included in the Sensor Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The divestiture resulted in a pre-tax loss of $8 million ($6 million after income taxes) during the quarterly period ended September 25, 2015. In accordance with ASU 2014-08, Tinsley’s assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, and results of operations for all periods presented are classified as held and used in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Net sales and income before income taxes for MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line, included in L-3’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, are presented in the table below on an aggregate basis, and are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Net sales	$	1	$	126	$	201	$	420
Income before income taxes	$	1	$	3	$	2	$	13

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Contracts in Process

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Text Block [Abstract]

Contracts in Process

5.  Contracts in Process

The components of contracts in process are presented in the table below.

	September 25, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Unbilled contract receivables, gross	$	2,626		$	2,280
Unliquidated progress payments		(1,057	)		(887	)
Unbilled contract receivables, net		1,569			1,393
Inventoried contract costs, gross		1,033			997
Unliquidated progress payments		(119	)		(95	)
Inventoried contract costs, net		914			902
Total contracts in process	$	2,483		$	2,295

Inventoried Contract Costs. In accordance with contract accounting standards, the Company’s U.S. Government contractor businesses account for the portion of their general and administrative (G&A), independent research and development (IRAD) and bids and proposal (B&P) costs that are allowable and reimbursable indirect contract costs under U.S. Government procurement regulations on their U.S. Government contracts (revenue arrangements) as inventoried contract costs. G&A, IRAD and B&P costs are allocated to contracts for which the U.S. Government is the end customer and are charged to costs of sales when sales on the related contracts are recognized. The Company’s U.S. Government contractor businesses record the unallowable portion of their G&A, IRAD and B&P costs to expense as incurred, and do not include them in inventoried contract costs.

The table below presents a summary of G&A, IRAD and B&P costs included in inventoried contract costs and the changes to them, including amounts charged to cost of sales by the Company’s U.S. Government contractor businesses for the periods presented.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at beginning of the period	$	149		$	146		$	138		$	133
Contract costs incurred:
IRAD and B&P		70			70			210			213
Other G&A		219			230			640			645
Total		289			300			850			858
Amounts charged to cost of sales		(269	)		(300	)		(819	)		(845	)
Amounts included in inventoried contract costs at end of the period	$	169		$	146		$	169		$	146

The table below presents a summary of selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses for the Company’s commercial businesses, which are expensed as incurred and included in cost of sales on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date  Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	53	$	72	$	198	$	225
Research and development expenses		13		15		40		51
Total	$	66	$	87	$	238	$	276

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Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

7.  Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill. In accordance with the accounting standards for business combinations, the Company records the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition (commonly referred to as the purchase price allocation). The table below presents the changes in goodwill by segment for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

	Electronic Systems			Aerospace Systems			Communication Systems		NSS			Consolidated Total
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,773		$	1,730		$	992	$	1,006		$	7,501
Business acquisitions(1)		177			—			11		—			188
Business divestitures(2)		(12	)		—			—		—			(12	)
Impairment loss		—			—			—		(491	)		(491	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments(3)		(43	)		(31	)		—		—			(74	)
Balance at September 25, 2015	$	3,895		$	1,699		$	1,003	$	515		$	7,112

⁽¹⁾  The increase in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the L-3 CTC business acquisition. The increase in goodwill for the Communication Systems segment was due to the Miteq business acquisition.

⁽²⁾  The decrease in goodwill for the Electronic Systems segment was due to the divestitures of BSI and the Tinsley Product Line.

⁽³⁾  The decrease in goodwill presented in the Electronic Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Euro and the Australian dollar during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015. The decrease in goodwill presented in the Aerospace Systems segment was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

As previously disclosed on October 29, 2015, the Company continues to evaluate strategic alternatives for NSS. These strategic alternatives could include, among other possibilities, a potential sale, spin-off or other divestiture transactions for the business. During the quarterly period ended September 25, 2015, a decline in the projected future cash flows of NSS indicated that the carrying amount of the goodwill for the NSS business may not be recoverable. As such, the Company performed the first step of the impairment test for the NSS business. The first step of the impairment test indicated that a portion of the $1,006 million of goodwill for the NSS business may not be recoverable. The Company performed the second step of the impairment test in accordance with the accounting standards for goodwill to measure the impairment loss and determined that the implied goodwill was $491 million lower than the carrying amount. Accordingly, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $491 million ($463 million after income taxes) for the impairment of goodwill. The goodwill impairment charge was due to a decline in the estimated fair value of the NSS business as a result of a decline in the projected future cash flows of NSS caused by NSS’s inability to achieve its planned 2015 orders, sales and operating income, primarily due to lower than expected new commercial and international business awards, and a reduced outlook for operating margin and international sales. The Company’s accumulated goodwill impairment losses were $549 million at September 25, 2015, of which $491 million, $43 million and $15 million were recorded in the NSS, Electronic Systems and Communication Systems segments, respectively.

Identifiable Intangible Assets. The table below presents information for the Company’s identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization.

			September 25, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Weighted Average Amortization Period		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	(in years)		(in millions)
Customer contractual relationships		19	$	461	$	283	$	178	$	440	$	262	$	178
Technology		11		186		118		68		165		111		54
Other		18		27		17		10		27		16		11
Total		17	$	674	$	418	$	256	$	632	$	389	$	243

The table below presents amortization expense recorded by the Company for its identifiable intangible assets.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date  Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Amortization Expense	$	10	$	11	$	29	$	32

Based on gross carrying amounts at September 25, 2015, the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2015 through 2019 is presented in the table below.

	Year Ending December 31,
	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
	(in millions)
Estimated amortization expense	$	38	$	38	$	35	$	30	$	27

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Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Changes in Goodwill by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, Beginning		$ 7,501
Business acquisitions		188
Business divestitures		(12)
Impairment charge	$ (491)	(491)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(74)
Balance, Ending	7,112	7,112
Electronic Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, Beginning		3,773
Business acquisitions		177
Business divestitures		$ (12)
Impairment charge
Foreign currency translation adjustments		$ (43)
Balance, Ending	3,895	3,895
Aerospace Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, Beginning		$ 1,730
Business acquisitions
Business divestitures
Impairment charge
Foreign currency translation adjustments		$ (31)
Balance, Ending	1,699	1,699
Communication Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, Beginning		992
Business acquisitions		$ 11
Business divestitures
Impairment charge
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Balance, Ending	1,003	$ 1,003
NSS [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, Beginning	1,006	$ 1,006
Business acquisitions
Business divestitures
Impairment charge	(491)	$ (491)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Balance, Ending	$ 515	$ 515

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments - Location of Company's Derivative Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities held for sale	$ 13	$ 10
Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets held for sale	$ 1	4
Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Assets Held for Sale [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities held for sale		2
Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Assets Held for Sale [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets held for sale		$ 2

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Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)	17 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 674	$ 632
Accumulated Amortization	418	389
Net Carrying Amount	$ 256	243
Customer Contractual Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)	19 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 461	440
Accumulated Amortization	283	262
Net Carrying Amount	$ 178	178
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)	11 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 186	165
Accumulated Amortization	118	111
Net Carrying Amount	$ 68	54
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)	18 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 27	27
Accumulated Amortization	17	16
Net Carrying Amount	$ 10	$ 11

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Inventories - Inventories at Lower of Cost or Market (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials, components and sub-assemblies	$ 188	$ 127
Work in process	114	97
Finished goods	72	64
Total	$ 374	$ 288

XML

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	4

XML

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Operations Data

The following unaudited pro forma Statements of Operations data present the combined results of the Company and its business acquisitions completed during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, in each case assuming that the business acquisitions completed during these periods had occurred on January 1, 2014.

	Third Quarter Ended					Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions, except per share data)
Pro forma net sales	$	2,817		$	2,973	$	8,357		$	9,021
Pro forma net (loss) income attributable to L-3	$	(299	)	$	156	$	(71	)	$	466
Pro forma diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(3.74	)	$	1.80	$	(0.87	)	$	5.27

Components of Loss of Business Divestitures Included in Statements of Operations

The adjustments recorded by the Company related to the business divestitures are included in the loss related to business divestitures caption on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and are summarized and further discussed below.

	Third Quarter Ended			Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 25, 2015
	(in millions)
Loss on Tinsley Product Line divestiture	$	(8	)	$	(8	)
Loss on BSI divestiture		(1	)		(4	)
Gain on MSI divestiture		—			4
Non-cash impairment charge related to MSI assets held for sale		—			(17	)
Loss on a forward contract to sell Euro proceeds from MSI divestiture		—			(4	)
Total loss related to the business divestitures	$	(9	)	$	(29	)

Schedule of Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities Included as Held for Sale

The major classes of assets and liabilities included as held for sale related to MSI are presented in the table below.

	December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	61
Billed receivables, net of allowances of $6		77
Contracts in process		70
Inventories		70
Other current assets		10
Total current assets		288
Goodwill		231
Other assets		28
Total assets classified as held for sale	$	547
Liabilities
Accounts payable, trade	$	31
Accrued employment costs		22
Accrued expenses		33
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred		55
Other current liabilities		21
Total current liabilities		162
Pension and postretirement benefits		56
Other liabilities		19
Total liabilities classified as held for sale	$	237

Schedule of Net Sales and Income Before Income Taxes for MSI, BSI and Tinsley Product Line

Net sales and income before income taxes for MSI, BSI and the Tinsley Product Line, included in L-3’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, are presented in the table below on an aggregate basis, and are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Net sales	$	1	$	126	$	201	$	420
Income before income taxes	$	1	$	3	$	2	$	13

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Description of Business - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 Segment
Disclosure Description Of Business Additional Information [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	4

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Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

12.  Equity

On February 5, 2013, L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes L-3 Holdings to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its common stock through June 30, 2015. On December 4, 2014, L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program that authorizes L-3 Holdings to repurchase up to an additional $1.5 billion of its common stock through June 30, 2017. Repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock are made from time to time at management’s discretion in accordance with applicable U.S. Federal securities laws. The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s financial position, earnings, legal requirements, other investment opportunities (including acquisitions) and market conditions. L-3 Holdings repurchased 5,171,908 shares of its common stock at an average price of $117.01 per share for an aggregate amount of $605 million from January 1, 2015 through September 25, 2015. All share repurchases of L-3 Holdings’ common stock have been recorded as treasury shares.

At September 25, 2015, the remaining dollar value under share repurchase programs authorized by L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors was $940 million.

From September 26, 2015 through October 23, 2015, L-3 Holdings repurchased 702,650 shares of its common stock at an average price of $106.70 per share for an aggregate amount of $75 million.

On June 10, 2015, L-3 Holdings’ Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.65 per share, paid on September 15, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2015. During the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, the Company paid $163 million of cash dividends, including a $1 million net reduction of accrued dividends for employee held stock awards.

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

17.  Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees

In connection with the spin-off of Engility Holdings, Inc. (Engility) in 2012, L-3 entered into a Distribution Agreement and several other agreements that govern certain aspects of L-3’s relationship with Engility, including employee matters, tax matters, transition services, and the future supplier/customer relationship between L-3 and Engility. These agreements generally provide cross-indemnities that, except as otherwise provided, are principally designed to place the financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of each entity with that respective entity. Engility has joint and several liability with L-3 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the consolidated U.S. Federal income taxes of L-3’s consolidated group for taxable periods in which Engility was a part of that group. However, the Tax Matters Agreement specifies the portion of this tax liability for which L-3 and Engility will each bear responsibility, and L-3 and Engility have agreed to indemnify each other against any amounts for which the other is not responsible. The Tax Matters Agreement also allocates responsibility between L-3 and Engility for other taxes, including special rules for allocating tax liabilities in the event that the spin-off is determined not to be tax-free. Though valid as between the parties, the Tax Matters Agreement is not binding on the IRS.

The Company had two existing real estate lease agreements, which included residual guarantee amounts, were due to expire on August 31, 2015 and were accounted for as operating leases. Before the lease expiration date, the Company exercised an option to renew the leases for another five years, with similar lease terms, except the aggregate residual guarantee amount increased by $17 million to $40 million, reflecting the appreciation of the estimated fair value of the leased properties. The Company received $17 million in cash from the lessor at the inception of the new leases, which is included in cash flows from financing activities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015, and recorded a deferred gain in other liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 25, 2015.

Procurement Regulations

A substantial majority of the Company’s revenues are generated from providing products and services under legally binding agreements or contracts with U.S. Government and foreign government customers. U.S. Government contracts are subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements, and, from time to time, agencies of the U.S. Government investigate whether such contracts were and are being conducted in accordance with these requirements. The Company is currently cooperating with the U.S. Government on several investigations from which civil, criminal or administrative proceedings have or could result and give rise to fines, penalties, compensatory and treble damages, restitution and/or forfeitures. In that regard, as of September 25, 2015, the Company has recognized an aggregate liability of $26 million in anticipation of a settlement related to a product specification matter regarding a holographic weapon sight product in the Warrior Systems sector of the Electronic Systems segment. The Company has other ongoing government investigations, including investigations into the pricing of certain contracts entered into by the Communication Systems segment. The Company does not currently anticipate that any of these investigations will have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, under U.S. Government regulations, an indictment of the Company by a federal grand jury, or an administrative finding against the Company as to its present responsibility to be a U.S. Government contractor or subcontractor, could result in the Company being suspended for a period of time from eligibility for awards of new government contracts or task orders or in a loss of export privileges. A conviction, or an administrative finding against the Company that satisfies the requisite level of seriousness, could result in debarment from contracting with the federal government for a specified term. In addition, all of the Company’s U.S. Government contracts: (1) are subject to audit and various pricing and cost controls, (2) include standard provisions for termination for the convenience of the U.S. Government or for default, and (3) are subject to cancellation if funds for contracts become unavailable. Foreign government contracts generally include comparable provisions relating to terminations for convenience or default, as well as other procurement clauses relevant to the foreign government.

Litigation Matters

The Company is also subject to litigation, proceedings, claims or assessments and various contingent liabilities incidental to its businesses, including those specified below. Furthermore, in connection with certain business acquisitions, the Company has assumed some or all claims against, and liabilities of, such acquired businesses, including both asserted and unasserted claims and liabilities.

In accordance with the accounting standard for contingencies, the Company records a liability when management believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. Generally, the loss is recorded at the amount the Company expects to resolve the liability. The estimated amounts of liabilities recorded for pending and threatened litigation are disclosed in Note 8. Amounts recoverable from insurance contracts or third parties are recorded as assets when deemed probable. At September 25, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company recorded approximately $11 million of receivables for recoveries from insurance contracts or third parties in connection with the Bashkirian Airways matter discussed below. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred. The Company believes it has recorded adequate provisions for its litigation matters. The Company reviews these provisions quarterly and adjusts these provisions to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. While it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome may occur in one or more of the following matters, unless otherwise stated below, the Company believes that it is not probable that a loss has been incurred in any of these matters. With respect to the litigation matters below for which it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome may occur, an estimate of loss or range of loss is disclosed when such amount or amounts can be reasonably estimated. Although the Company believes that it has valid defenses with respect to legal matters and investigations pending against it, the results of litigation can be difficult to predict, particularly those involving jury trials. Accordingly, the Company’s current judgment as to the likelihood of loss (or our current estimate as to the potential range of loss, if any) with respect to any particular litigation matter may turn out to be wrong. Therefore, it is possible that the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company could be materially adversely affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these or other contingencies.

Class Action. In August 2014, three separate, putative class actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the District Court) against the Company and certain of its officers. These cases were consolidated into a single action on October 24, 2014. A consolidated amended complaint was filed in the District Court on December 22, 2014, which was further amended and restated on March 13, 2015. The complaint alleges violations of federal securities laws related to misconduct and accounting errors identified by the Company at its Aerospace Systems segment, and seeks monetary damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and fees and expenses. The Company believes the action lacks merit and intends to defend itself vigorously. On April 24, 2015, the Company moved to dismiss the amended and restated complaint. The motion has been fully briefed. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate any amount or range of loss, if any, that may be incurred in connection with this matter because the proceedings are in their early stages.

Government Inquiries. On July 30, 2014, the Company voluntarily contacted the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to report information concerning its internal review related to misconduct and accounting errors identified by the Company at its Aerospace Systems segment. The Company has received requests for interviews of current and former employees, and subpoenas for documents and other materials from the SEC and the Department of Justice concerning these self-reported matters. The Company is fully cooperating with both agencies. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate any amount or range of loss, if any, that may be incurred in connection with these inquiries based on the nature of the inquiries to date.

Bashkirian Airways. On July 1, 2004, lawsuits were filed on behalf of the estates of 31 Russian children in the state courts of Washington, Arizona, California, Florida, New York and New Jersey against Honeywell, Honeywell TCAS, Thales USA, Thales France, the Company and Aviation Communications & Surveillance Systems (ACSS), which is a joint venture of L-3 and Thales. The suits relate to the crash over southern Germany of a Bashkirian Airways Tupelov TU 154M aircraft and a DHL Boeing 757 cargo aircraft. On-board the Tupelov aircraft were 9 crew members and 60 passengers, including 45 children. The Boeing aircraft carried a crew of two. Both aircraft were equipped with Honeywell/ACSS Model 2000, Change 7 Traffic Collision and Avoidance Systems (TCAS). Sensing the other aircraft, the on-board DHL TCAS instructed the DHL pilot to descend, and the Tupelov on-board TCAS instructed the Tupelov pilot to climb. However, the Swiss air traffic controller ordered the Tupelov pilot to descend. The Tupelov pilot disregarded the on-board TCAS and put the Tupelov aircraft into a descent striking the DHL aircraft in midair at approximately 35,000 feet. All crew and passengers of both planes were lost. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board after the crash revealed that both TCAS units were performing as designed. The suits allege negligence and strict product liability based upon the design of the units and the training provided to resolve conflicting commands. The Company’s insurers accepted defense of these matters and retained counsel. The matters were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, which then dismissed the actions on the basis of forum non conveniens. Plaintiffs representing 30 of the estates re-filed their complaint against ACSS on April 23, 2007 with the Barcelona Court’s Registry in Spain. On March 9, 2010, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and entered judgment against ACSS in the amount of approximately $6.7 million, all of which represented compensatory damages. Both ACSS and the plaintiffs appealed the judgment. In May 2012, the appellate court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and entered judgment against ACSS in the amount of $48 million. ACSS filed an appeal of the judgment with the Supreme Court of Spain (the Supreme Court) on September 28, 2012. During the Supreme Court’s consideration of the appeal, 18 of 30 plaintiffs released their claims against ACSS in consideration for payments made by the Company’s insurance carriers. On February 10, 2015, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that awarded the remaining 12 plaintiffs approximately $11 million in the aggregate (including interest), plus certain legal expenses incurred by the plaintiffs in connection with the appeal to the Supreme Court. The Company’s insurers have paid the $11 million award amount into an escrow account held by the Company’s legal representatives for payment to the plaintiffs if and when the award becomes due, and have confirmed that they will pay the plaintiffs’ legal expenses on behalf of the Company once they are certified and become due. On May 20, 2015, an appeal was filed on behalf of ACSS to annul the Supreme Court decision on constitutional grounds. In October 2015, eight of the remaining 12 plaintiffs released their claims against ACSS in consideration for approximately $7.0 million in aggregate payments made from the escrow account (representing a discount of approximately $0.1 million from the portion of the $11 million award attributable to these plaintiffs). Settlement discussions with the remaining four plaintiffs are ongoing.

HVC Alkmaar. On July 23, 2014, a notice of claim was received by our former JovyAtlas business unit. The notice relates to losses resulting from a fire that occurred at an HVC Alkmaar bio-energy plant on July 21, 2013. The notice states that the fire resulted from the failure of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to provide sufficient power to act as a back-up energy supply, alleges that JovyAtlas was the manufacturer and service provider for the UPS and claims €11 million in estimated property damages and €35 million in estimated business interruption damages. The Company has tendered the notice of claim to its insurance carriers, who have commenced their own investigation.

Qui Tam Action. On March 14, 2012, the Company was served with a qui tam lawsuit filed in the District Court for the Northern District of Texas, in which the U.S. Government has declined to intervene. The complaint alleges violations of the False Claims Act and seeks unquantified treble damages, penalties, attorney’s fees, costs, and pre-judgment interest. Plaintiff alleges that between 2004 and 2012, the Company overbilled the U.S. Government for labor hours under contracts for helicopter maintenance and repair services in Southwest Asia. On July 8, 2015, the court denied the Company’s motion for summary judgment. A jury trial is scheduled for the first quarter of 2016. The Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate the amount or range of loss, if any, that may be incurred in connection with this matter because: (1) significant factual issues remain in dispute, (2) the results of litigation can be difficult to predict, particularly those involving jury trials and (3) the plaintiff has not yet indicated the specific amount of damages that will be sought at trial. The Company believes the action lacks merit and intends to defend itself vigorously.

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Employee Severance and Termination Costs - Employee Severance and Other Termination Costs Incurred by Reportable Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other termination costs	$ 4	$ 3	$ 10	$ 23	$ 30
Electronic Systems [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other termination costs	2		4	14
Aerospace Systems [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other termination costs	1	1	3	3
Communication Systems [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other termination costs	$ 1	$ 2	$ 3	5
NSS [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other termination costs				$ 1

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Employee Severance and Termination Costs (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Employee Severance and Other Termination Costs Incurred by Reportable Segment

Employee severance and other termination costs incurred by reportable segment for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014 are presented in the table below.

	Third Quarter Ended				Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014		September 25, 2015		September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Reportable Segment
Electronic Systems	$	2	$	—	$	4	$	14
Aerospace Systems		1		1		3		3
Communication Systems		1		2		3		5
NSS		—		—		—		1
Consolidated	$	4	$	3	$	10	$	23

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L-3 Holdings' Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS)

A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) is presented in the table below.

	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions, except per share data)
Reconciliation of net (loss) income:
Net (loss) income	$	(296	)	$	157		$	(63	)	$	470
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3	)		(3	)		(11	)		(9	)
Net (loss) income attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders	$	(299	)	$	154		$	(74	)	$	461
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to L-3 Holdings’ common shareholders:
Basic:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			85.1			81.5			85.7
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$	(3.74	)	$	1.81		$	(0.91	)	$	5.38
Diluted:
Common and potential common shares(1):
Weighted average common shares outstanding		80.0			85.1			81.5			85.7
Assumed exercise of stock options		—			2.8			—			3.0
Unvested restricted stock awards		—			1.5			—			1.6
Employee stock purchase plan contributions		—			—			—			0.1
Performance unit awards		—			0.1			—			0.1
Assumed purchase of common shares for treasury		—			(2.9	)		—			(3.2	)
Assumed conversion of the CODES(2)		—			—			—			1.1
Common and potential common shares		80.0			86.6			81.5			88.4
Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income	$	(3.74	)	$	1.78		$	(0.91	)	$	5.21

⁽¹⁾  Due to a loss for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015, zero incremental weighted average potential common shares are included because the effect would be antidilutive.

⁽²⁾  L-3 Holdings’ 3% Convertible Contingent Debt Securities (CODES) due 2035 were retired on June 20, 2014, and were dilutive for the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014 as the average market price of L-3 Holdings’ common stock during the period that the CODES were outstanding was greater than the price at which the CODES would have been convertible into L-3 Holdings’ common stock. As of June 18, 2014, the final date of conversion, the conversion price was $88.71.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income		$ (296)	$ 157	$ (63)	$ 470
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(55)	(63)	(84)	(57)
Unrealized losses on hedging instruments	[1]	(7)	(3)	(3)
Pension and postretirement benefit plans:
Amortization of net loss and prior service cost previously recognized	[2]	10	2	32	7
Net gain arising during the period	[3]			9
Total other comprehensive (loss) income		(52)	(64)	(46)	(50)
Comprehensive (loss) income		(348)	93	(109)	420
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3)	(3)	(11)	(9)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to L-3		$ (351)	$ 90	$ (120)	$ 411

[1] Amounts are net of income tax benefits of $3 million and $1 million for the quarterly periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014, respectively, and income tax benefits of $2 million for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

[2] Amounts are net of income taxes of $7 million and $1 million for the quarterly periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014, respectively, and income taxes of $18 million and $4 million for the year-to-date periods ended September 25, 2015 and September 26, 2014, respectively.

[3] Represents the reclassification of actuarial losses into net income related to the Marine Systems International business divestiture in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 715 Defined Benefit Plans - Pension. Amounts are net of income taxes of $5 million for the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015.

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution to defined benefit plans	$ 80
Expected contributions to plans during the remainder of fiscal year	18
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution to defined benefit plans	5
Expected contributions to plans during the remainder of fiscal year	$ 5

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Description of Business

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Description of Business

1.  Description of Business

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. derives all of its operating income and cash flows from its wholly-owned subsidiary, L-3 Communications Corporation (L-3 Communications). L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (L-3 Holdings and, together with its subsidiaries, referred to herein as L-3 or the Company) is a prime contractor in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, aircraft sustainment (including modifications, logistics and maintenance), simulation and training, night vision and image intensification equipment, enterprise and mission information technology (IT) solutions and cyber operations. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of communication and electronic systems and products used on military and commercial platforms. The Company’s customers include the United States (U.S.) Department of Defense (DoD) and its prime contractors, U.S. Government intelligence agencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), foreign governments, and domestic and international commercial customers.

The Company has the following four reportable segments: (1) Electronic Systems, (2) Aerospace Systems, (3) Communication Systems and (4) National Security Solutions (NSS). Electronic Systems provides a broad range of components, products, subsystems, systems and related services for military and commercial customers in several niche markets across several business areas. These business areas include precision engagement & training, sensor systems, power & propulsion systems, aviation products and security systems, warrior systems and advanced programs. Aerospace Systems delivers integrated solutions for the global ISR market and provides modernization, upgrade, sustainment, and maintenance and logistics support for a wide variety of aircraft and ground systems. Communication Systems delivers products and services for the global communications market, specializing in strategic and tactical airborne, space, ground and sea-based communication systems. NSS provides cybersecurity solutions, high-performance computing, enterprise IT services, analytics and intelligence analysis to the DoD, U.S. Government intelligence agencies, federal civilian agencies and foreign governments.

In April 2015, the Company realigned its Platform and Logistics Solutions sector within its Aerospace Systems segment to enhance the operational effectiveness and competitiveness of its platform systems business. The platform systems business was integrated within the ISR Systems sector and the new integrated organization was renamed the ISR and Aircraft Systems sector. The Logistics Solutions sector remains a separate sector within the Aerospace Systems segment. This realignment did not impact the composition of the Company’s reporting units.

Financial information with respect to the Company’s segments is included in Note 21 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and in Note 22 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Schedule of Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities Included as Held for Sale (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
MSI [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Billed receivables, allowances	$ 6

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Derivative Financial Instruments - Notional Amounts of Company's Outstanding Foreign Currency Forward Contracts by Currency (Detail)	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	$ 258,000,000
Canadian Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	141,000,000
U.S. Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	94,000,000
Euro [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	21,000,000
British Pound [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	$ 2,000,000

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Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities - Other Current Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Liabilities:
Accruals for pending and threatened litigation (see Note 17)	$ 45	$ 38
Estimated costs in excess of estimated contract value to complete contracts in process in a loss position	79	75
Accrued product warranty costs	59	59
Accrued interest	52	46
Deferred revenues	29	30
Other	132	150
Total other current liabilities	$ 396	$ 398

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

18.  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

	Pension Plans												Postretirement Benefit Plans
	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended						Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	29		$	26		$	93		$	80		$	—		$	(2	)	$	2		$	—
Interest cost		38			37			112			110			1			4			5			8
Expected return on plan assets		(51	)		(48	)		(155	)		(145	)		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)		(3	)
Amortization of prior service costs (credits)		—			—			1			1			—			—			(2	)		(1	)
Amortization of net loss (gain)		17			4			51			13			—			(1	)		—			(2	)
Curtailment loss		3			—			3			1			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	36		$	19		$	105		$	60		$	—		$	(1	)	$	2		$	1

Contributions. The Company contributed cash of $80 million to its pension plans and $5 million to its other postretirement benefit plans during the year-to-date period ended September 25, 2015. The Company expects to contribute an additional $18 million to its pension plans and $5 million to its other postretirement benefit plans during the remainder of 2015.

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Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2015	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Change in previously accrued income tax expense including interest and penalties		$ 10
Effective income tax rate excluding goodwill impairment charge and related income tax benefit		22.30%	29.50%
Anticipated decrease in unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months		$ 25
Effective income tax benefits	$ 36
Foreign tax benefits related to a legal restructuring	17
Resolution of outstanding income tax matters with U.S. and foreign tax authorities	10
Deferred tax benefits	$ 9	(21)	$ 91
Accrued potential interest included within non-current income taxes payable		18		$ 15
Accrued potential interest included within non-current income taxes payable, after income taxes		11		9
Potential penalties		$ 9		$ 9
NSS [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Marginal income tax rate on goodwill impairment charge		6.00%

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Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Text Block [Abstract]

Other Current Liabilities

The table below presents the components of other current liabilities.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Other Current Liabilities:
Accruals for pending and threatened litigation (see Note 17)	$	45	$	38
Estimated costs in excess of estimated contract value to complete contracts in process in a loss position		79		75
Accrued product warranty costs		59		59
Accrued interest		52		46
Deferred revenues		29		30
Other		132		150
Total other current liabilities	$	396	$	398

Other Liabilities

The table below presents the components of other liabilities.

	September 25, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in millions)
Other Liabilities:
Non-current income taxes payable (see Note 10)	$	193	$	196
Deferred compensation		45		43
Accrued workers’ compensation		35		38
Accrued product warranty costs		34		34
Notes payable and capital lease obligations		9		1
Other		87		70
Total other liabilities	$	403	$	382

Changes in Company's Accrued Product Warranty Costs

The table below presents the changes in the Company’s accrued product warranty costs.

	Year-to-Date Ended
	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Accrued product warranty costs:(1)
Balance at January 1	$	93		$	99
Acquisitions during the period		1			—
Accruals for product warranties issued during the period		46			53
Settlements made during the period		(46	)		(46	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(1	)		(1	)
Balance at end of period	$	93		$	105

⁽¹⁾  Warranty obligations incurred in connection with long-term production contracts that are accounted for under the POC cost-to-cost method are included within the contract estimates at completion and are excluded from the above amounts. The balances above include both the current and non-current amounts.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (AOCI)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (AOCI)

11.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (AOCI)

The changes in the AOCI balances, including amounts reclassified from AOCI into net income, are presented in the table below.

	Foreign currency translation			Unrealized (losses) gains on hedging instruments			Unrecognized losses and prior service cost, net			Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	19		$	(5	)	$	(598	)	$	(584	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(125	)		(13	)		—			(138	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		41			10			41			92
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income		(84	)		(3	)		41			(46	)
Balance at September 25, 2015	$	(65	)	$	(8	)	$	(557	)	$	(630	)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	142		$	1		$	(253	)	$	(110	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(57	)		(5	)		—			(62	)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax		—			5			7			12
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income		(57	)		—			7			(50	)
Balance at September 26, 2014	$	85		$	1		$	(246	)	$	(160	)

Further details regarding the amounts reclassified from AOCI into net income are presented in the table below.

	Amount Reclassified from AOCI(a)												Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Third Quarter Ended						Year-to-Date Ended
Details About AOCI Components	September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014			September 25, 2015			September 26, 2014
	(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustment:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(41	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
		—			—			(41	)		—		Income before income taxes
		—			—			—			—		Provision for income taxes
	$	—		$	—		$	(41	)	$	—		Net income
(Losses) gains on hedging instruments:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(2	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
Other		(4	)		1			(10	)		(6	)	Cost of sales-products
		(4	)		1			(12	)		(6	)	Income before income taxes
		—			(1	)		2			1		Provision for income taxes
	$	(4	)	$	—		$	(10	)	$	(5	)	Net income
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
MSI divestiture	$	—		$	—		$	(14	)	$	—		Loss related to business divestitures
Net loss		(17	)		(3	)		(50	)		(11	)	(b)
		(17	)		(3	)		(64	)		(11	)	Income before income taxes
		7			1			23			4		Provision for income taxes
	$	(10	)	$	(2	)	$	(41	)	$	(7	)	Net income
Total reclassification for the period	$	(14	)	$	(2	)	$	(92	)	$	(12	)	Net income

^(a)  Amounts in parenthesis indicate charges to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

^(b)  Amounts related to pension and postretirement benefit plans were reclassified from AOCI and recorded as a component of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 18 for additional information).