Hunt Valley, Maryland — December 17, 2009 — AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it successfully demonstrated its new On-the-Move Command and Control (OMCC) software during an Aerosonde® Mark 4.7 unmanned aircraft system flight at Fort Pickett in Virginia. AAI’s OMCC software achieved technology readiness level, or TRL, 7 during this exercise by demonstrating its system-level operational capabilities in a full flight environment. OMCC was utilized by operators for pre-flight checks, automatic launch, executing mission plans and auto-recovery operations.

Building on the success of AAI’s field-proven One System® Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT) and mission planning elements from Kutta Technologies, Inc., the OMCC software enables seamless handoff of in-flight aircraft between ground control station operators and dismounted warfighters. It enables command of both the aircraft and payload from a small portable terminal within a dynamic tactical environment.

AAI’s OMCC provides NATO standardization agreement (STANAG) 4586 level of interoperability (LOI) 5 control of the unmanned aircraft, meaning that it enables aircraft control and monitoring, as well as automates launch and recovery functions. It also provides users STANAG 4586 LOI 3 control of mission payloads, which is direct control of the payload itself, as well as the ability to directly receive other data. OMCC technology can be utilized by stationary platforms and any moving land, sea or air vehicle, enabling LOI 4 manned unmanned, or MUM, teaming capability.

“Next-generation unmanned aircraft technologies must provide tremendous flexibility, seamless interoperability with other assets and participants in the battlespace, and above all, ease of use for the operator,” says Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. “On-the-Move Command and Control is our most recent example of how we apply our decades of unmanned systems expertise and experience to create directly relevant capabilities for warfighters.”

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 more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch, 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 multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.    

AAI is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.
Aerosonde is a registered trademark of Aerosonde Pty Ltd.
One System is a registered trademark of the U.S. Army.