Executive Biography

     Frederick M. Strader is president of AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc.

     He joined AAI in 2001 as vice president and general manager of the company’s Defense Systems segment. Later, he was appointed executive vice president of AAI. On August 1, 2003, Mr. Strader became president and chief executive officer of United Industrial Corporation, AAI’s parent company, which was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange until its acquisition by Textron in late 2007.  

     Before joining AAI, Mr. Strader had a distinguished, 21-year career with United Defense LP and its predecessor company, FMC, including 16 years devoted to the development and production of defense related technologies.

     Mr. Strader had been vice president of United Defense and general manager of the company's Armament Systems Division, the unit that designs, produces, and supports missile launching systems and large caliber gun systems for the U.S. Navy, Army, and Marine Corps.

     Earlier in his career, Mr. Strader was division manager of FMC's Agriculture Machinery Division, manager of strategic planning for FMC, and served in a number of increasingly responsible planning, financial, and manufacturing positions within the company's Steel Products Division. He joined FMC as a corporate financial analyst in 1980.

     Mr. Strader earned a master of business administration degree in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor of arts degree from Ripon College.

     Following his undergraduate studies, Mr. Strader served on active duty for four years with the U.S. Army, followed by 22 years as a reserve officer in the Army Acquisition Corps.

     He is a trustee of the National Defense Industrial Association, and is a member of the Navy League, the Association of the United States Army, and the American Society for Quality Control.

     AAI Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense systems through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, ESL Defence Limited, and Symtx, Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, and logistical, engineering, and supply chain services. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.