Cessna Developing Unique Interactive 3-D Aircraft Configuration System

May 03, 2006

Geneva, Switzerland - May 3, 2006 – Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is developing a proprietary, interactive, 3-D aircraft specification software system that combines engineering data with customer configuration options and provides lifelike real-time visualization to the customer, as well as cost and weight changes to the aircraft.

Cessna is adding additional, customer-focused features beyond the standard interactive spec tools currently used or planned by other OEMs. These features will make the Cessna system the standard in the industry.

"Digital, 3-D systems for basic product specification applications are not new, but most of the current systems on the Internet – particularly the auto spec tools – are really just digital brochures that are fairly static in what they can do for the customer," said Cynthia Halsey, vice president of Interior Design, Engineering and Development. "The Cessna system will be 100 percent real time and will provide all the information a customer needs to make an informed decision about outfitting an aircraft."

Working in cooperation with Anark Corporation, a leading 3-D application solution provider, Cessna plans to launch the new system by the end of the year. It will be available first at Cessna's customer spec centers in Wichita and in its new Farnborough office, and then have portable applications soon after.

"It is a very large project, and it is a major task to integrate all the things we believe need to be there, but we think the investment is worth it in the long run in terms of real value to the people who buy our aircraft," Halsey said. "Cessna has taken a leadership position in this market by maintaining a 'customer first' attitude about everything we do, and development of this system is no different."

Digital brochures have been used for some time by auto makers and other companies with products that offer a relatively small number of configurations or options. Aircraft configurations can take hours to complete due to the complexity of the system choices and options available.

The Cessna aircraft specification system, while taking digital configuration to a new level, will greatly simplify the configuration process, allowing the customer to see in real time how choices will look and interact with each other in the cabin. Avionics can be changed instantly and running totals on both option prices with associated weights are presented in real time.

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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