For Immediate Release - October 16, 1997

REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA - CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE, INC. (Nasdaq National Market:CMIC) announced that its Government Electronics Division (GED) has been awarded a contract to provide a new-generation communications gateway system to the Department of Defense (DOD). The new CGS-500 will be compatible with and interoperable between several special United States Marine Corps and commercial communications and messaging standards. The project has a value of $1.9 million for the initial two-year phase. Adopts Commercial Technology; Lowers Field Operations and Support Costs This award comes as a result of a DOD initiative to lower the operations and support costs of fielded military systems by adopting commercial technology. The DOD program, called the Joint Dual-Use Program, focuses on transitioning the latest commercial-off-the-shelf technology for DOD use. The resulting communications gateway system will be designated the CGS-500, which will incorporate the Defense Message System (DMS) protocol standards-X.400 and X.500, plus a host of special Marine Corps and commercial communications and messaging standards. Donald J. Kerins, GED's President and General Manager, commented, "The CGS-500 offers the Marine Corps the opportunity to capitalize on the investments made by the company over the past five years. At the same time, it enables California Microwave to broaden its DOD market base and expand its commercial sector business where secure communication applications are becoming increasingly important." California Microwave, Inc. is a leading U.S. supplier of satellite earth station and microwave radio infrastructure products and information and collection systems. GED is an important supplier of tactical communication capabilities, both satellite communications and messaging, to military and military-like customers worldwide. For more information, contact:

Stephanie M. Day Vice President Corporate Communications (415) 596-6629

Investor Information Line: (Toll-free) 1-888-225-6789 http://www.calmike.com.

Deborah Passik William Dunk Partners, Inc. (919) 929-4100

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