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Form S-8 L 3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDI

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June 21, 2016 4:17 PM EDT

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2016

Registration No. 333-

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   13-3937434

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

600 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10016

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Long Term Performance Plan

(Full title of the plan)

 

 

Steven M. Post, Esq.

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

600 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10016

(Name and address of agent for service)

(212) 697-1111

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies of all notices, orders and communication to:

Avrohom J. Kess, Esq.

Mark Brod, Esq.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017-3954

(212) 455-2000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a 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:

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of securities

to be registered

  

Amount

to be
registered(1)

   Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share(2)		  

Proposed
maximum
aggregate

offering price(2)

  

Amount of

registration fee(2)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

   6,800,000 shares   $143.71   $977,228,000   $98,406.86

 

 

(1) In addition to the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), set forth in the table, pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the number of shares registered includes an indeterminable number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Long Term Performance Plan, as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, anti-dilution provisions or similar transactions.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act, the proposed maximum offering price per share, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price and the amount of registration fee have been computed based on the average of the high and low prices per share of Common Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 17, 2016.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On May 3, 2016, L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) held its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders at which the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. 2008 Long Term Performance Plan (as amended, the “Amended and Restated Plan”). The Amended and Restated Plan became effective as of the date of such shareholder approval. The amendment increased the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated Plan by 6,800,000 shares of Common Stock, which additional shares are being registered pursuant to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”). The Company previously registered shares of Common Stock issuable under the L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. 2008 Long Term Performance Plan on registration statements on Forms S-8 (File Nos. 333-151964, 333-168466 and 333-188450) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on June 26, 2008, August 2, 2010 and May 8, 2013, respectively.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The information specified in Items 1 and 2 of Part I of the Form S-8 is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the introductory note to Part I of the Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the Amended and Restated Plan as required by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such documents are not required to be, and are not, filed with the Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as a prospectus or prospectus supplement pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company are hereby incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:

 

  (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015;

 

  (b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended March 25, 2016;

 

  (c) Current Reports on Form 8-K of the Company filed on February 9, 2016, May 5, 2016 and May 23, 2016; and

 

  (d) The description of the Company’s common stock contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A12B filed on May 18, 1998, as amended by the amendment to the certificate of incorporation as described in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (other than information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, unless expressly stated otherwise therein) after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

 

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

None.

 

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides for, among other things:

(i) permissive indemnification for expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by designated persons, including directors, officers, employees or agents of a corporation, in the event such persons are parties to litigation other than stockholder derivative actions if certain conditions are met;

(ii) permissive indemnification for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by designated persons, including directors, officers, employees or agents of a corporation, in the event such persons are parties to stockholder derivative actions if certain conditions are met;

(iii) mandatory indemnification for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by designated persons, including directors and officers of a corporation, in the event such persons are successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of litigation covered by (i) and (ii) above; and

(iv) that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for by Section 145 is not deemed exclusive of any other rights which may be provided under any by-law, agreement, stockholder or disinterested director vote, or otherwise.

In addition to the indemnification provisions of the DGCL described above, the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) provides that the Registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, (i) indemnify its officers and directors and (ii) advance expenses incurred by such officers or directors in relation to any action, suit or proceeding.

The Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) require, in certain instances, the advancement of expenses to an officer or director (without a determination as to his conduct) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding if such person furnishes a written undertaking to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification.

The Bylaws purport to confer upon officers and directors contractual rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided therein. The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided therein shall (i) vest at the time that such claimant becomes a director or officer of the Registrant or at the time such claimant becomes a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, at the request of the Registrant and (ii) continue as to the claimant even though he may have ceased to be a director or officer of the Registrant.

The Certificate of Incorporation limits the personal liability of directors to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of the fiduciary duty as a director, other than liability as a director (i) for breach of duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The Registrant maintains officers’ and directors’ insurance covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by officers and directors in the performance of their duties.

 

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS

For the list of exhibits, see the Exhibit Index to this Registration Statement, which is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS

(a) The Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and

 

  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

 

  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on this 21st day of June, 2016.

 

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/ Steven M. Post, Esq.
  Name:   Steven M. Post, Esq.
  Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Steven M. Post, Esq., and Allen E. Danzig, Esq., as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacity, in connection with this Registration Statement, including to sign and file in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as director or officer of the registrant any and all amendments or supplements (including any and all stickers and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents, or any substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 21st day of June, 2016.

 

Signature

   

Title

/s/ Michael T. Strianese

Michael T. Strianese

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer) and Director

/s/ Ralph G. D’Ambrosio

Ralph G. D’Ambrosio

   

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Dan Azmon

Dan Azmon

   

Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Claude R. Canizares

Claude R. Canizares

    Director

/s/ Thomas A. Corcoran

Thomas A. Corcoran

    Director

/s/ Ann E. Dunwoody

Ann E. Dunwoody

    Director

/s/ Lewis Kramer

Lewis Kramer

    Director

/s/ Robert B. Millard

Robert B. Millard

    Director

Signature

   

Title

/s/ Lloyd W. Newton

Lloyd W. Newton

    Director

/s/ Vincent Pagano, Jr.

Vincent Pagano, Jr.

    Director

 

H. Hugh Shelton

    Director

/s/ Arthur L. Simon

Arthur L. Simon

    Director

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

   

Description of Exhibit

  4.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2013).
  4.2    Amended and Restated By-Laws of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the Commission on February 26, 2016).
  4.3    Form of Common Stock Certificate of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 2010, as filed with the Commission on August 2, 2010).
  4.4    L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Long Term Performance Plan.*
  5    Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, with respect to legality of securities being registered hereunder.*
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.*
23.2    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5 filed herewith).*
24    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).*

 

* Filed herewith

Exhibit 4.4

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

2008 LONG TERM PERFORMANCE PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         PAGE  
SECTION 1.  

Purpose.

      1   
SECTION 2.  

Definitions; Rules of Construction.

      1   
SECTION 3.  

Eligibility.

      4   
SECTION 4.  

Awards.

      4   
SECTION 5.  

Shares of Stock and Share Units Available Under Plan.

      7   
SECTION 6.  

Award Agreements.

      9   
SECTION 7.  

Adjustments; Change in Control; Acquisitions.

      11   
SECTION 8.  

Administration.

      14   
SECTION 9.  

Amendment and Termination of this Plan.

      16   
SECTION 10.  

Miscellaneous.

      17   

L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

2008 LONG TERM PERFORMANCE PLAN

SECTION 1.    Purpose.

The purpose of this Plan is to benefit the Corporation’s stockholders by encouraging high levels of performance by individuals who contribute to the success of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and to enable the Corporation and its Subsidiaries to attract, motivate, retain and reward talented and experienced individuals. This purpose is to be accomplished by providing eligible individuals with an opportunity to obtain or increase a proprietary interest in the Corporation and/or by providing eligible individuals with additional incentives to join or remain with the Corporation and its Subsidiaries.

SECTION 2.    Definitions; Rules of Construction.

(a)    Defined Terms.  The terms defined in this Section shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Plan:

“Award” means an award granted pursuant to Section 4.

“Award Agreement” means an agreement described in Section 6 by the Corporation for the benefit of a Participant, setting forth (or incorporating by reference) the terms and conditions of an Award granted to a Participant.

“Beneficiary” means a person or persons (including a trust or trusts) validly designated by a Participant or, in the absence of a valid designation, entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution, to receive the benefits specified in the Award Agreement and under this Plan in the event of a Participant’s death.

“Board of Directors” or “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

“Change in Control” means change in control as defined in Section 7(c).

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Committee” means the Committee described in Section 8(a).

“Corporation” means L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

“Employee” means any person, including an officer (whether or not also a director) in the regular full-time employment of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries who, in the opinion of the Committee is, or is expected to be, primarily responsible for the management, growth or protection of some part or all of the business of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, but excludes, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, an Employee of any Subsidiary that is not a “subsidiary corporation” of the Corporation as defined in Code Section 424(f).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

“Executive Officer” means executive officer as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act. If the Board has designated the executive officers of the Corporation for purposes of reporting under the Exchange Act, the designation shall be conclusive for purposes of this Plan.

“Fair Market Value” means the closing price of the relevant security as reported on the composite tape of New York Stock Exchange issues (or if, at the date of determination, the security is not so listed or if the principal market on which it is traded is not the New York Stock Exchange, such other reporting system as shall be selected by the Committee) on the relevant date, or, if no sale of the security is reported for that date, the immediately preceding day for which there is a reported sale. The Committee shall determine the Fair Market Value of any security that is not publicly traded, using criteria as it shall determine, in its sole direction, to be appropriate for the valuation.

“Insider” means any person who is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

“Minimum Ownership Stock” means any Award of shares of Stock of the Corporation that are issued, in accordance with Section 4(a)(5), in lieu of cash compensation in order to satisfy applicable stock ownership guidelines from time to time in effect.

“Non-Employee Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Option” means a Nonqualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option as described in Section 4(a)(1) or (2).

“Participant” means a person who is granted an Award, pursuant to this Plan, that remains outstanding.

“Performance-Based Awards” is defined in Section 4(b).

 

2

“Performance Goals” means any combination of one or more of the following criteria: (i) consolidated income before or after taxes (including income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (ii) EBIT or EBITDA; (iii) operating income or operating margin; (iv) book value per share of Stock; (v) expense management (including without limitation, total general and administrative expense percentages); (vi) improvements in capital structure; (vii) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (viii) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (ix) stock price; (x) market share; (xi) revenue or sales (including, without limitation, net loans charged off and average finance receivables); (xi) costs (including, without limitation, total general and administrative expense percentage); (xiii) orders; (xiv) working capital; (xv) total debt (including, without limitation, total debt as a multiple of EBIT or EBITDA); (xvi) cash flow or net funds provided; (xvii) net income or earnings per share; (xviii) return on equity; (xix) return on investment or invested capital; and (xx) total stockholder return or any other performance goal that the Committee in its sole discretion establishes in accordance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for which applicable shareholder approval requirements are met. Performance Goals may be stated in absolute terms or relative to comparison companies or indices to be achieved during a period of time.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time.

“Share Units” means the number of units under an Award (or portion thereof) that is payable solely in cash or is actually paid in cash, determined by reference to the number of shares of Stock by which the Award (or portion thereof) is measured.

“Stock” means shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share, subject to adjustments made under Section 7 or by operation of law.

“Subsidiary” means, as to any person, any corporation, association, partnership, joint venture or other business entity of which 50% or more of the voting stock or other equity interests (in the case of entities other than corporations), is owned or controlled (directly or indirectly) by that entity, or by one or more of the Subsidiaries of that entity, or by a combination thereof.

(b)    Rules of Construction.  For purposes of this Plan and the Award Agreements, unless otherwise expressly provided or the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Plan include the plural and the singular, and pronouns of either gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms.

 

3

SECTION 3.    Eligibility.

Any one or more Awards may be granted to any Employee, or any non-Employee who provides services to or on behalf of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (including without limitation any Non-Employee Director), who is designated by the Committee to receive an Award.

SECTION 4.    Awards.

(a)    Type of Awards.  The Committee may from time to time grant any of the following types of Awards, either singly, in tandem or in combination with other Awards:

(1)    Nonqualified Stock Options.  A Nonqualified Stock Option is an Award in the form of an option to purchase Stock that is not intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 422. The exercise price of each Nonqualified Stock Option granted under this Plan shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date that the Option is granted.

(2)    Incentive Stock Options.  An Incentive Stock Option is an Award in the form of an option to purchase Stock that is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 422 or any successor section thereof. The exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option granted under this Plan shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the Option is granted. If a Participant on the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted owns, directly or indirectly within the meaning of Code Section 424(d), stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, the exercise price per share of the Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock at the time of grant, and such Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Stock with respect to which one or more incentive stock options first become exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, taking into account both Stock subject to Incentive Stock Options under this Plan and stock subject to incentive stock options under all other plans of the Corporation or of other entities referenced in Code Section 422(d)(1), the options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. For this purpose, the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to options shall be determined as of the date the Options were granted.

(3)    Stock Appreciation Rights.  A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award in the form of a right to receive, upon surrender of the right, but without other payment, an amount based on the appreciation in the value of

 

4

the Stock or the Option over a base price established in the Award, payable in cash, Stock or such other form or combination of forms of payout, at times and upon conditions (which may include a Change in Control), as may be approved by the Committee. The minimum base price of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.

(4)    Restricted Stock.  Restricted Stock is an Award of issued shares of Stock of the Corporation (other than Minimum Ownership Stock) that are subject to restrictions on transfer and/or such other restrictions on incidents of ownership as the Committee may determine.

(5)    Other Share-Based Awards.  The Committee may from time to time grant Awards under this Plan that provide the Participants with Stock or the right to purchase Stock, or provide other incentive Awards (including, but not limited to, Minimum Ownership Stock, phantom stock or units, performance stock or units, bonus stock, dividend equivalent units, or similar securities or rights) that have a value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to, or that are otherwise payable in shares of Stock. The Awards shall be in a form determined by the Committee, provided that the Awards shall not be inconsistent with the other express terms of this Plan applicable to such Awards.

(b)    Special Performance-Based Awards.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any of the type of Awards listed in Section 4(a) may be granted as awards that satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) (“Performance-Based Awards”), the grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of which may depend on the degree of achievement of the Performance Goals relative to preestablished targeted levels for the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, divisions or other business units. Performance-Based Awards shall be subject to the requirements of clauses (1) through (7) below, except that notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 4(b) to the contrary, any Option or Stock Appreciation Right intended to qualify as a Performance-Based Award shall not be subject to the requirements of clauses (2), (4), (5) and (6) below (with such Awards hereinafter referred to as a “Qualifying Option” or a “Qualifying Stock Appreciation Right”, respectively). An Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of this Section 4(b) shall be designated as a Performance-Based Award at the time of grant.

(1)    Eligible Class.  The eligible class of persons for Awards under this Section 4(b) shall be all Employees.

(2)    Performance Goals.  The performance goals for any Awards under this Section 4(b) (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying Stock

 

5

Appreciation Rights) shall be, on an absolute or relative basis, one or more of the Performance Goals. The specific performance target(s) with respect to Performance Goal(s) must be established by the Committee in advance of the deadlines applicable under Code Section 162(m) and while the performance relating to the Performance Goal(s) remains substantially uncertain.

(3)    Individual Limits.  The maximum number of shares of Stock or Share Units that are issuable under Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted during a calendar year to any Employee shall be 750,000, and the maximum number of shares of Stock or Share Units that are issuable under other Performance-Based Awards granted to any Employee during a calendar year shall be 300,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7. Awards that are cancelled during the year shall be counted against these limits to the extent required by Code Section 162(m).

(4)    Committee Certification.  Before any Performance-Based Award under this Section 4(b) (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying Stock Appreciation Rights) is paid, the Committee must certify in writing (by resolution or otherwise) that the applicable Performance Goal(s) and any other material terms of the Performance-Based Award were satisfied; provided, however, that a Performance-Based Award may be paid without regard to the satisfaction of the applicable Performance Goal in the event of the Participant’s death or permanent disability or in the event of a Change in Control as provided in Section 7(b).

(5)    Terms and Conditions of Awards.  Committee Discretion to Reduce Performance Awards. The Committee shall have discretion to determine the conditions, restrictions or other limitations, in accordance with the terms of this Plan and Code Section 162(m), on the payment of individual Performance-Based Awards under this Section 4(b). To the extent set forth in an Award Agreement, the Committee may reserve the right to reduce the amount payable in accordance with any standards or on any other basis (including the Committee’s discretion), as the Committee may impose.

(6)    Adjustments for Material Changes.  To the extent set forth in an Award Agreement, in the event of (i) a change in corporate capitalization, a corporate transaction or a complete or partial corporate liquidation, or (ii) any extraordinary gain or loss or other event that is treated for accounting purposes as an extraordinary item under generally accepted accounting principles, or (iii) any material change in accounting policies or practices affecting the Corporation and/or the Performance Goals or targets, the Committee shall make adjustments to the Performance Goals and/or targets, applied as of the date of the event, and based solely on objective criteria, so as to neutralize, in the Committee’s judgment, the effect of the event on the applicable Performance-Based Award.

 

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(7)    Interpretation.  Except as specifically provided in this Section 4(b), the provisions of this Section 4(b) shall be interpreted and administered by the Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements for exemption of Performance-Based Awards granted to Executive Officers as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and regulations and other interpretations issued by the Internal Revenue Service thereunder.

SECTION 5.    Shares of Stock and Share Units Available Under Plan.

(a)    Aggregate Limits on Shares and Share Units.  (i) Subject to Section 5(b), the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to all Awards under the Plan is 26,013,817, (ii) the maximum number of such shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to all Awards of Incentive Stock Options is 3,000,000, and (iii) the maximum number of shares of Stock subject to Awards granted during a calendar year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during such calendar year, shall not exceed $525,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes and excluding, for this purpose, the value of any dividends or dividend equivalents paid in accordance with Section 6(b)(4) on unissued shares of Stock or unpaid Share Units underlying any such Awards).

(b)    Share Usage for Full Value Awards.  Solely for purposes of calculating the number of shares of Stock available for issuance pursuant to Section 5(a)(i):

(1)    each share of Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted from March 1, 2010 through February 25, 2013 (other than Awards of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) shall be counted as 2.60 shares;

(2)    each share of Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted from February 26, 2013 through February 22, 2016 (other than Awards of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) shall be counted as 3.69 shares; and

(3)    each share of Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted on or after February 23, 2016 (other than Awards of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) shall be counted as 4.26 shares.

(c)    Reissue of Shares and Share Units.  Any unexercised, unconverted or undistributed portion of any expired, cancelled, terminated or forfeited Award, or any alternative form of consideration under an Award that is not paid in connection with the settlement of an Award or any portion of an Award, shall again be available for Awards under Sections 5(a) and (b), as applicable, whether or not the Participant has received benefits of ownership (such as dividends or dividend equivalents or voting rights) during the period in which the Participant’s ownership

 

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was restricted or otherwise not vested. To the extent an Award is settled in cash in lieu of issuing shares of Stock subject thereto, such shares shall be deemed to constitute Share Units (and not shares of Stock issued pursuant to an Award) for purposes of the limits set forth in Sections 5(a) and (b). For the avoidance of doubt, the following shares of Stock shall not become available for reissuance under the Plan: (1) shares tendered by Participants as full or partial payment to the Corporation upon exercise of Options or other Awards granted under the Plan; (2) shares of Stock reserved for issuance upon the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights, to the extent the number of reserved shares exceeds the number of shares actually issued upon exercise of the Stock Appreciation Rights; (3) shares withheld by, or otherwise remitted to, the Corporation to satisfy a Participant’s tax withholding obligations upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock or the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or upon any other payment or issuance of shares under any other Award granted under the Plan; and (4) shares of Stock that are acquired by the Corporation as contemplated by Section 5(e) in connection with this Plan or the satisfaction of an Award issued hereunder.

(d)    Interpretive Issues.  Additional rules for determining the number of shares of Stock or Share Units authorized under this Plan may be adopted by the Committee, as it deems necessary or appropriate.

(e)    Treasury Shares; No Fractional Shares.  The Stock which may be issued (which term includes Stock reissued or otherwise delivered) pursuant to an Award under this Plan may be treasury or authorized but unissued Stock or Stock acquired, subsequently or in anticipation of a transaction under this Plan, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions to satisfy the requirements of this Plan. No fractional shares shall be issued but fractional interests may be accumulated.

(f)    Consideration.  The Stock issued under this Plan may be issued (subject to Section 10(d)) for any lawful form of consideration, the value of which equals the par value of the Stock or such greater or lesser value as the Committee, consistent with Sections 10(d) and 4(a)(1), (2) and (3), may require.

(g)    Purchase or Exercise Price; Withholding.  The exercise or purchase price (if any) of the Stock issuable pursuant to any Award and any withholding obligation under applicable tax laws shall be paid at or prior to the time of the delivery of such Stock in cash or, subject to the Committee’s express authorization and the restrictions, conditions and procedures as the Committee may impose, any one or combination of (i) cash, (ii) the delivery of shares of Stock, or (iii) a reduction in the amount of Stock or other amounts otherwise issuable or payable pursuant to such Award. In the case of a payment by the means described in clause (ii) or (iii) above, the amount of Stock to be so delivered or offset in respect of such exercise price or purchase price (if any), or withholding obligations, shall be determined by reference to the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date as of which the payment or offset is made.

 

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(h)    Cashless Exercise.  The Committee may also permit the exercise of the Award and payment of any applicable withholding tax in respect of an Award by delivery of written notice, subject to the Corporation’s receipt of a third party payment in full in cash (or in such other form as permitted under Section 5(g)) for the exercise price and the applicable withholding at or prior to the time of issuance of Stock, in the manner and subject to the procedures as may be established by the Committee.

SECTION 6.    Award Agreements.

Each Award under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in a form approved by the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Stock or Share Units, as applicable, subject to the Award, and the price (if any) and term of the Award and, in the case of Performance-Based Awards, the applicable Performance Goals, if any. The Award Agreement shall also set forth (or incorporate by reference) other material terms and conditions applicable to the Award as determined by the Committee consistent with the limitations of this Plan.

(a) Incorporated Provisions. Award Agreements shall be subject to the terms of this Plan and shall be deemed to include the following terms:

(1)    Transferability:  An Award shall not be assignable nor transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the lifetime of a Participant the Award shall be exercised only by such Participant or by his or her guardian or legal representative. The designation of a Beneficiary hereunder shall not constitute a transfer prohibited by the foregoing provisions.

(2)    Rights as Stockholder:  A Participant shall have no rights as a holder of Stock with respect to any unissued securities covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of these securities. Except as provided in Section 7, no adjustment or other provision shall be made for dividends or other stockholder rights, except to the extent that the Award Agreement provides for dividend equivalents or similar economic benefits.

(3)    Withholding:  The Participant shall be responsible for payment of any taxes or similar charges required by law to be withheld from an Award or an amount paid in satisfaction of an Award and these obligations shall be paid by the Participant on or prior to the payment of the Award. In the case of an Award payable in cash, the withholding obligation shall be satisfied by withholding the applicable amount and paying the net amount in cash to the Participant. In the case of an Award paid in shares of Stock, a Participant shall satisfy the withholding obligation as provided in Section 5(g) or Section 5(h).

 

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(4)    Maximum Term of Awards.  No Nonqualified Stock Option, Incentive Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised or converted to any extent, or remain outstanding and unexercised, unconverted or unvested, more than ten years after the date such Nonqualified Stock Option, Incentive Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right was initially granted.

(b)    Other Provisions.  Award Agreements may include other terms and conditions as the Committee shall approve, including but not limited to the following:

(1)    Termination of Employment:  A provision describing the treatment of an Award in the event of the retirement, disability, death or other termination of a Participant’s employment with or services to the Company, including any provisions relating to the vesting, exercisability, forfeiture or cancellation of the Award in these circumstances, subject, in the case of Performance-Based Awards, to the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).

(2)    Vesting; Effect of Termination; Change in Control:  Any other terms consistent with the terms of this Plan as are necessary and appropriate to effect the Award to the Participant, including but not limited to the vesting provisions, any requirements for continued employment, any other restrictions or conditions (including performance requirements) of the Award, and the method by which (consistent with Section 7) the restrictions or conditions lapse, and the effect on the Award of a Change in Control. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, (1) the minimum vesting period for Awards of Restricted Stock shall be three years from the date of grant (or one year in the case of Restricted Stock Awards that are Performance-Based Awards) and (2) the vesting period of an Award of Restricted Stock may not be accelerated to a date that is within such minimum vesting period except in the event of the Participant’s death, permanent disability or retirement or in the event of a Change in Control.

(3)    Replacement and Substitution:  Any provisions permitting or requiring the surrender of outstanding Awards or securities held by the Participant in whole or in part in order to exercise or realize rights under or as a condition precedent to other Awards, or in exchange for the grant of new or amended Awards under similar or different terms; provided, that except in connection with an adjustment contemplated by Section 7, no such provisions of an Award Agreement shall permit a “Repricing” as defined in Section 8(d).

 

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(4)    Dividends:  Any provisions providing for the payment of dividend equivalents on unissued shares of Stock or unpaid Share Units underlying an Award, on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, and either in cash or in additional shares of Stock; provided that dividend equivalents may not be paid with respect to Awards of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

(c)    Contract Rights, Forms and Signatures.  Any obligation of the Corporation to any Participant with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon contractual obligations created by this Plan and an Award Agreement. No Award shall be enforceable until the Award Agreement has been signed on behalf of the Corporation by an Executive Officer (other than the recipient) or his or her delegate. By accepting receipt of the Award Agreement, a Participant shall be deemed to have accepted and consented to the terms of this Plan and any action taken in good faith under this Plan by and within the discretion of the Committee, the Board of Directors or their delegates. Unless the Award Agreement otherwise expressly provides, there shall be no third party beneficiaries of the obligations of the Corporation to the Participant under the Award Agreement.

SECTION 7.    Adjustments; Change in Control; Acquisitions.

(a)    Adjustments.  If there shall occur any recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend), reverse stock split, merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization or any extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution in respect of the Stock (whether in the form of cash, Stock or other property), or any split-up, spin-off, extraordinary redemption, or exchange of outstanding Stock, or there shall occur any other similar corporate transaction or event in respect of the Stock, or a sale of substantially all the assets of the Corporation as an entirety, then the Committee shall, in the manner and to the extent, if any, as it deems appropriate and equitable to the Participants and consistent with the terms of this Plan, and taking into consideration the effect of the event on the holders of the Stock:

(1)    proportionately adjust any or all of:

(A)    the number and type of shares of Stock and Share Units which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards (including the specific maxima and numbers of shares of Stock or Share Units set forth elsewhere in this Plan),

(B)    the number and type of shares of Stock, other property, Share Units or cash subject to any or all outstanding Awards,

(C)    the grant, purchase or exercise price, or conversion ratio of any or all outstanding Awards, or of the Stock, other property or Share Units underlying the Awards,

 

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(D)    the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise or conversion of any or all outstanding Awards,

(E)    subject to Section 4(b), the performance targets or standards appropriate to any outstanding Performance-Based Awards, or

(F)    any other terms as are affected by the event; and/or

(2)    provide for:

(A)    an appropriate and proportionate cash settlement or distribution, or

(B)    the substitution or exchange of any or all outstanding Awards, or the cash, securities or property deliverable on exercise, conversion or vesting of the Awards.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, no adjustment shall be made which would cause this Plan to violate Section 424(a) of the Code or any successor provisions thereto, without the written consent of the Participant adversely affected thereby. The Committee shall act prior to an event described in this paragraph (a) (including at the time of an Award by means of more specific provisions in the Award Agreement) if deemed necessary or appropriate to permit the Participant to realize the benefits intended to be conveyed by an Award in respect of the Stock in the case of an event described in paragraph (a).

(b)    Change in Control.  The Committee may, in the Award Agreement, provide for the effect of a Change in Control on an Award. Such provisions may include, but are not limited to any one or more of the following with respect to any or all Awards: (i) the specific consequences of a Change in Control on the Awards; (ii) a reservation of the Committee’s right to determine in its discretion at any time that there shall be full acceleration or no acceleration of benefits under the Awards; (iii) that only certain or limited benefits under the Awards shall be accelerated; (iv) that the Awards shall be accelerated for a limited time only; or (v) that acceleration of the Awards shall be subject to additional conditions precedent (such as a termination of employment following a Change in Control).

In addition to any action required or authorized by the terms of an Award, the Committee may take any other action it deems appropriate to ensure the equitable treatment of Participants in the event of a Change in Control, including but not limited to any one or more of the following with respect to any or all Awards: (i) the acceleration or extension of time periods for purposes of exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from, the Awards; (ii) the waiver of conditions on the Awards that were imposed for the benefit of the Corporation, (iii) provision for the cash settlement of the Awards for their equivalent cash value, as determined by the

 

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Committee, as of the date of the Change in Control; or (iv) such other modification or adjustment to the Awards as the Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and interests of Participants upon or following the Change in Control. The Committee also may accord any Participant a right to refuse any acceleration of exercisability, vesting or benefits, whether pursuant to the Award Agreement or otherwise, in such circumstances as the Committee may approve.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(b) or any provision in an Award Agreement to the contrary, if any Award to any Insider is accelerated to a date that is less than six months after the date of the Award, the Committee may prohibit a sale of the underlying Stock (other than a sale by operation or law in exchange for or through conversion into other securities), and the Corporation may impose legend and other restrictions on the Stock to enforce this prohibition.

(c)    Change in Control Definition.  For purposes of this Plan, with respect to any Award other than an Award issued pursuant to an Award Agreement that separately defines the term “change in control,” a change in control shall include and be deemed to occur upon the following events:

(1)    The acquisition by any person or group (including a group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of a majority of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities, other than by any employee benefit plan maintained by the Corporation;

(2)    The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or of L-3 Communications Corporation or any successor thereto;

(3)    The consummation of a merger, combination, consolidation, recapitalization, or other reorganization of the Corporation with one or more other entities that are not Subsidiaries if, as a result of the consummation of the merger, combination, consolidation, recapitalization or other reorganization, less than 50 percent of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall immediately after the event be beneficially owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation immediately prior to the event;

(4)    The election, including the filling of vacancies, during any period of 24 months or less, of 50 percent or more, of the members of the Board, without the approval of Continuing Directors, as constituted at the beginning of such period. “Continuing Directors” shall mean any director of the Company who either (i) is a member of the Board on the date of grant of the relevant Award, or (ii) is nominated for election to the Board by a majority of the Board which is comprised of Directors who were, at the time of such nomination, Continuing Directors; or

 

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(5)    In the Committee’s sole discretion on a case-by-case basis and solely with respect to Awards granted to Employees of a Subsidiary of the Corporation, or of a business unit or division of the Corporation or such Subsidiary, (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary, business unit or division or (ii) the sale (including without limitation by way of merger) of a majority of the combined voting power of such Subsidiary’s then outstanding voting securities.

(d)    Business Acquisitions.  Awards may be granted under this Plan on the terms and conditions as the Committee considers appropriate, which may differ from those otherwise required by this Plan to the extent necessary to reflect a substitution for or assumption of stock incentive awards held by employees of other entities who become employees of the Corporation or a Subsidiary as the result of a merger of the employing entity with, or the acquisition of the property or stock of the employing entity by, the Corporation or a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly (such awards, “Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the limitations set forth in Section 5(a), provided that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, Incentive Stock Options shall be counted against the limits set forth in Section 5(a)(ii) of the Plan.

SECTION 8.    Administration.

(a)    Committee Authority and Structure.  This Plan and all Awards granted under this Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee of the Board (or the full Board) or subcommittee of the Compensation Committee as may be designated by the Board (such committee, subcommittee or the full Board, as applicable, the “Committee”). With respect to Awards granted to persons who are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be constituted so as to permit this Plan to comply with the disinterested administration requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and with respect to Awards granted to persons who are “covered employees” as defined in Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall be constituted such that the “outside director” requirement of Code Section 162(m) is met. The members of the Committee shall be designated by the Board. A majority of the members of the Committee (but not fewer than two) shall constitute a quorum. The vote of a majority of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the Committee shall constitute action by the Committee.

(b)    Selection and Grant.  The Committee shall have the authority to determine the individuals (if any) to whom Awards will be granted under this Plan, the type of Award or Awards to be made, and the nature, amount, pricing, timing, and other terms of Awards to be made to any one or more of these individuals, subject to the terms of this Plan.

 

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(c)    Construction and Interpretation.  The Committee shall have the power to interpret and administer this Plan and Award Agreements, and to adopt, amend and rescind related rules and procedures. All questions of interpretation and determinations with respect to this Plan, the number of shares of Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, or units or other Awards granted, and the terms of any Award Agreements, the adjustments required or permitted by Section 7, and other determinations hereunder shall be made by the Committee and its determination shall be final and conclusive upon all parties in interest. In the event of any conflict between an Award Agreement and any non-discretionary provisions of this Plan, the terms of this Plan shall govern.

(d)    Express Authority to Change Terms of Awards.  The Committee may, at any time, alter or amend any or all Award Agreements under this Plan in any manner that would be authorized for a new Award under this Plan, including but not limited to any manner set forth in Section 9 (subject to any applicable limitations thereunder), except that no amendment or cancellation of an Award may effect a Repricing of such Award without shareholder approval, except in connection with an adjustment pursuant to Section 7. A “Repricing” means any of the following: (i) changing the terms of an Award to lower its exercise price or base price, (ii) cancelling an Award with an exercise price or base price in exchange for other Awards with a lower exercise price or base price, or (iii) cancelling an Award with an exercise price or base price at a time when such price is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock in exchange for other Awards, cash or property. Without limiting the Committee’s authority under this plan (including Sections 7 and 9), but subject to any express limitations of this Plan (including the prohibitions on Repricing set forth in this Section 8(d)), the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of an Award, to extend the term or waive early termination provisions of an Award (subject to the maximum ten-year term under Section 6(a)(4) to the extent applicable), and to waive the Corporation’s rights with respect to an Award or restrictive conditions of an Award (including forfeiture conditions), in any case in such circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate.

(e)    Rule 16b-3 Conditions; Bifurcation of Plan.  It is the intent of the Corporation that this Plan and Awards hereunder satisfy and be interpreted in a manner, that, in the case of Participants who are or may be Insiders, satisfies any applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3, so that these persons will be entitled to the benefits of Rule 16b-3 or other exemptive rules under Section 16 under the Exchange Act and will not be subjected to avoidable liability thereunder as to Awards intended to be entitled to the benefits of Rule 16b-3. If any provision of this Plan or of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 8(e), that provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and

 

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deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict. To the extent of any remaining irreconcilable conflict with this intent, the provision shall be deemed disregarded as to Awards intended as Rule 16b-3 exempt Awards. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, the provisions of this Plan may at any time be bifurcated by the Board or the Committee in any manner so that certain provisions of this Plan or any Award Agreement intended (or required in order) to satisfy the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 are only applicable to Insiders and to those Awards to Insiders intended to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3.

(f)    Delegation and Reliance.  The Committee may delegate to the officers or employees of the Corporation the authority to execute and deliver those instruments and documents, to do all acts and things, and to take all other steps deemed necessary, advisable or convenient for the effective administration of this Plan in accordance with its terms and purpose, except that the Committee may not delegate any discretionary authority to grant or amend an award or with respect to substantive decisions or functions regarding this Plan or Awards as these relate to the material terms of Performance-Based Awards to Executive Officers or to the timing, eligibility, pricing, amount or other material terms of Awards to Insiders. In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under this Plan, the Board and the Committee may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including professional advisors to the Corporation. No director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation shall be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith.

(g)    Exculpation and Indemnity.  Neither the Corporation nor any member of the Board of Directors or of the Committee, nor any other person participating in any determination of any question under this Plan, or in the interpretation, administration or application of this Plan, shall have any liability to any party for any action taken or not taken in good faith under this Plan or for the failure of an Award (or action in respect of an Award) to satisfy Code requirements as to incentive stock options or to realize other intended tax consequences (including any intended tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code), to qualify for exemption or relief under Rule 16b-3 or to comply with any other law, compliance with which is not required on the part of the Corporation.

SECTION 9.    Amendment and Termination of this Plan.

The Board of Directors may at any time amend, suspend or discontinue this Plan, subject to any stockholder approval that may be required under applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such action shall, in any manner adverse to a Participant other than as expressly permitted by the terms of an Award Agreement, affect any Award then outstanding and evidenced by an Award Agreement without the consent in writing of the Participant or his or her Beneficiary, guardian or legal representative, to the extent applicable. Notwithstanding the above, any amendment to this Plan that would (i) materially

 

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increase the benefits accruing to any Participant or Participants hereunder, (ii) materially increase the aggregate number of shares of Stock, Share Units or other equity interest(s) that may be issued hereunder, or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in this Plan, shall be subject to shareholder approval.

SECTION 10.    Miscellaneous.

(a)    Unfunded Plans.  This Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Corporation nor the Board of Directors nor the Committee shall be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards made pursuant to this Plan. Neither the Corporation, the Committee, nor the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be a trustee of any amounts to be paid or securities to be issued under this Plan.

(b)    Rights of Employees.

(1)    No Right to an Award.  Status as an Employee shall not be construed as a commitment that any one or more Awards will be made under this Plan to an Employee or to Employees generally. Status as a Participant shall not entitle the Participant to any additional Award.

(2)    No Assurance of Employment.  Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any other documents related to this Plan or to any Award) shall confer upon any Employee or Participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or constitute any contract (of employment or otherwise) or limit in any way the right of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to change a person’s compensation or other benefits or to terminate the employment or services of a person with or without cause.

(c)    Effective Date; Duration.  This Plan has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. This Plan shall become effective upon and shall be subject to the approval of the stockholders the Corporation. This Plan shall remain in effect until any and all Awards under this Plan have been exercised, converted or terminated under the terms of this Plan and applicable Award Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Award may be granted under this Plan after March 1, 2026; provided, however, that any Award granted prior to such date may be amended after such date in any manner that would have been permitted hereunder prior to such date.

(d)    Compliance with Laws.  This Plan, Award Agreements, and the grant, exercise, conversion, operation and vesting of Awards, and the issuance and delivery of shares of Stock and/or other securities or property or the payment of cash under this Plan, Awards or Award Agreements, are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal insider trading, registration, reporting and other

 

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securities laws and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may be necessary or, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such restrictions (and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Corporation, provide such evidence, assurance and representations to the Corporation as to compliance with any of such restrictions) as the Corporation may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.

(e)    Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreements thereunder, it is intended that the provisions of the Plan and such Award Agreements comply with Section 409A of the Code, and that no Award shall be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified under this Plan, or any Award Agreement interpreted, in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant. In the event that it is reasonably determined by the Board or Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the Code, payments in respect of any Award under the Plan may not be made at the time contemplated by the terms of the Plan or the relevant Award agreement, as the case may be, without causing the Participant holding such Award to be subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company will make such payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any tax liability under Section 409A of the Code; which, if the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Section 409A, shall be the first day following the six-month period beginning on the date of Participant’s termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on him or her, or in respect of any payment or benefit delivered in connection with the Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and the Company shall not have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold any Participant harmless from any or all such taxes or penalties.

(f)    Applicable Law.  This Plan, Award Agreements and any related documents and matters shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York and applicable Federal law.

(g)    Non-Exclusivity of Plan.  Nothing in this Plan shall limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Corporation, the Board or the Committee to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Stock, under any other plan or authority.

 

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Exhibit 5

June 21, 2016

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

600 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10016

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the issuance by the Company of up to 6,800,000 shares (the “Shares”) of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, which may be issued pursuant to the amendment, adopted on May 3, 2016, to the L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Long Term Performance Plan (the “Plan”).

We have examined the Registration Statement, a form of the share certificate and the Plan. We also have examined the originals, or duplicates or certified or conformed copies, of such records, agreements, documents and other instruments and have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Company.

In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or certified or conformed copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that, upon issuance and delivery of the Shares in accordance with the Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the Delaware General Corporation Law.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 26, 2016 relating to the financial statements, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. and L-3 Communications Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

June 21, 2016


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