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                                                                   EXHIBIT 20

                                                  Contact: George A. Robinson
                                                                 703-934-8130

                            ACS TO MERGE WITH TITAN

                Both Companies Strengthen Competitive Advantage

Fairfax, Virginia, December 9, 1999 - Advanced Communication Systems, Inc. (ACS)
(Nasdaq: ACSC) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to
merge with The Titan Corporation (Titan) (NYSE: TTN) in a tax-free exchange for
Titan common stock for approximately $20 per ACS share. This represents a
premium of 37% over yesterday's ACS closing share price of $14.56 and 56% over
the closing price of one month ago. The transaction, which will be accounted for
as a pooling of interests, has a value of approximately $175 million in stock
plus assumption of approximately $55 million in debt.

George A. Robinson, ACS President and CEO, said "I am extremely pleased with
this merger and am very enthusiastic about the competitive advantages that
accrue to both companies. Both organizations bring significant strengths in
communications, information technology, and aerospace services, primarily
within the US Government market, yet there is very little overlap in the
marketplace. The total ACS organization will be a standalone unit within the
Titan Systems Corporation. I expect both management teams to remain in place
and continue to build on the outstanding record of significant internal growth
and customer satisfaction that both companies have achieved over the past
several years."

Headquartered in San Diego, the Titan Corporation develops and deploys
communications and information technology solutions and services. In addition,
Titan markets the leading technology for the electronic pasteurization of food
products. Titan's strategy is to maximize internal growth of its government and
commercial operations while acquiring business that can be readily integrated
into its existing core businesses in order to increase profitability and grow
market share. The firm has annualized sales of approximately $400 million with
a total backlog in excess of $1 billion and has approximately 3100 employees.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Advanced Communication Systems
shareholders will receive a fixed price per share of $20.00 if Titan's share
price is between $25.50 and $32.50 at the time of closing. If Titan's share
price is between $22.95 and $25.50 at the time of closing, each outstanding
Advanced Communication Systems share will be exchanged for .7843 shares of Titan
stock. At a Titan share price of less than $22.95, Advanced Communication
Systems has the right to terminate the definitive agreement subject to a Titan
option to assure a minimum price of $18.00 per Advanced Communication Systems
share. If Titan's share price is between $32.50 and $35.75 at the time of
closing, each outstanding Advanced Communication Systems share will be exchanged
for .6154 shares of Titan stock. At a Titan share









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share price of greater than $35.75, Titan has the right to terminate the
definitive agreement subject to an Advanced Communication Systems option to
agree to receive a maximum price of $22.00 per Advanced Communication Systems
share. The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of both
companies and is subject to Advanced Communication Systems shareholder and
regulatory approval. Banc of America Securities, LLC is acting as the exclusive
financial advisor to ACS on this transaction.

Advanced Communication Systems provides communication, information systems, and
aerospace services and solutions, predominantly to U.S. Government agencies and
to commercial customers. The Company is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia and
has a dedicated workforce of approximately 2000 employees in 54 locations in
the United States.

Except for statements of historical facts, this news release contains
forward-looking statements about the Company. Such statements are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties including dependence on continued funding
of U.S. Government programs, government contract procurement and termination
risks, management of growth, risks associated with acquisition strategy and
other risks noted in the Company's SEC filings, which may cause actual results
to differ materially.

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