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Hunt Valley, Maryland — January 5, 2009 — AAI Corporation, an operating unit
of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today
that it conducted a successful first flight of its new Aerosonde Mark 5
unmanned aircraft system (UAS) at Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, Ariz.
This initial flight met or exceeded all test objectives and validated
the aerodynamic capabilities of the new airframe. Future flight testing
is planned to validate additional key performance parameters for this
aircraft class, including new payload capabilities as they are
integrated. This rigorous validation process was initiated in
preparation for AAI's possible entry of the Aerosonde Mark 5 UAS in the
upcoming U.S. Navy's Small Tactical UAS, or STUAS, program as well as
the U.S. Marine Corps' Tier II UAS program.
While the Aerosonde Mark 5 aircraft has been under development for two
years, this successful test flight validation program was started once
the services confirmed their requirements for these programs. As such,
AAI designed the aircraft's final configuration to comply with the
objectives of these programs. In accordance with these requirements, the
Aerosonde Mark 5 UAS builds on the best practices of AAI's more than 20
years designing, producing, fielding and sustaining UAS.
"We have incorporated the best features of our proven Aerosonde aircraft
and Shadow(r) tactical UAS," explains AAI's Vice President of Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Steven Reid. "The Aerosonde Mark 5 delivers impressive
endurance with superior intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and
target acquisition capabilities. Our experience and understanding of our
military customers' needs uniquely position us to meet these Navy and
Marine Corps requirements."
About AAI
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. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for over 50 years. Known for its precision smart weapons, intelligent battlefield systems, surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, aircraft control components, piston engines, armored vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems, Textron Systems includes AAI, HR Textron, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch Geospatial Operations, Overwatch Tactical Operations, Textron Defense Systems, and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
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