Bell Helicopter Achieves AS9100 Registration

February 10, 2006

Fort Worth, TX - February 10, 2006 - Bell Helicopter, a Textron (NYSE:TXT) company is pleased to announce that it has attained the coveted AS9100 Quality System Registration from Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR). Larry Beck of Perry Johnson Registrars presented the certificate denoting Bell's achievement of the AS9100 Registration to Mike "Red" Redenbaugh, Bell's chief executive officer, and Lee Tait, senior vice president, Quality Assurance, and Chief Compliance Officer.

In accepting the Registration Certificate, Mr. Redenbaugh remarked that this is a major achievement for the company and thanked all employees especially Ms. Tait and the Bell employees who were part of the team who prepared Bell for the AS9100 audit. "Only the world's finest aerospace manufacturers are recognized with AS9100 Registration and this is a milestone on Bell's path to premier," Mr. Redenbaugh said. "This is an exciting achievement for the Bell organization" said Ms. Tait. "I'd like to thank all the dedicated employees who worked so hard to help improve our Quality system."

The AS9100 Registration is the newest version of the aerospace industry Quality System standard, incorporating the principles of ISO 9001 along with elements unique to the aerospace industry. Achieving the certification is essential for doing business in today's competitive global market.

About the AS9100

This is the newest version of the aerospace industry international quality standard. AS9100 incorporates all the elements of ISO 9001, plus additional elements unique to the aerospace industry.

The AS9100 standard was developed by a committee of quality executives from the world's leading aerospace manufacturers as a means to reduce defects in the supplier chain; continually improve quality; boost customer satisfaction; and considerably reduce the number of hours spent on audits, requirements and documentation. Instead of having to comply with many differing quality requirements and standards for each customer, aerospace industry suppliers and subcontractors now have for the first time a single aerospace quality standard that would be accepted across the board.

In the next few years, the standard promises to become increasingly important to the thousands of companies who supply parts and services to aircraft and aerospace manufacturers. Most of the major aircraft engine manufacturers, such as General Electric's Aircraft Engine division (GEAE), Rolls-Royce Allison and Pratt & Whitney, are already requiring registration to AS9100. Many aerospace prime contractors have mandated AS9100 registration for their supply chain.

About Perry Johnson Registrars

Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. was founded in 1994 by Perry L. Johnson. Headquartered in Smithfield, Michigan, PJR has numerous offices around the world. PJR currently is accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB - formerly RAB), the Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA), the Japanese Accreditation Board (JAB), the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), the Brazilian National Institute of Metrology (INMETRO), the Italian National System for Accreditation of Certification and Inspection Body (SINCERT), the German Association for Accreditation (TGA) and the Federal Motor Transport Authority of Dresden (KBA). TGA and KBA are under the authority of the German body, Deutscher Akkreditierungs Rat (DAR). Perry Johnson Registrars is one of a handful of registrars on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA Schedule) GS-10F-0025K.

About Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter is a leading producer of commercial and military helicopters and the pioneer of the revolutionary V-22 tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries.

About Textron

Textron Inc is a $10 billion multi-industry company with 46,000 employees operating in 36 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Connect with Textron IR

David Rosenberg, Vice President, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288
Kyle Williams, Manager, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288

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