Textron Marine & Land Continues to Increase Production of Armored Security Vehicles in Wake of Hurricane Katrina

April 03, 2006

Wichita, KS - March 23, 2006 – Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced the first flight of the Citation Encore+, a significant step toward the anticipated certification of the airplane in the early fourth quarter of this year.

Equipped with its new dual-channel FADEC engines and full Pro Line 21 avionics suite, the first production unit Encore+ took off from Rockwell Collins' facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at 11:40 a.m. (CST) yesterday.

"During the one-hour and nine-minute test flight, the pilots flew an aggressive flight profile to test basic stability, flap and landing gear extension and retraction, controllability, trim actuation, engine operating characteristics and basic autopilot operation," said Lynn Young, Citation Encore+ program manager. "We've set an ambitious certification schedule since we announced the Encore+ only five months ago at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. We are pleased this first flight adheres to our schedule, marking a major milestone that moves us toward on-time customer deliveries in the first quarter of 2007."

The next step toward certification includes refined development of avionics and engine software. The Encore+ succeeds the Encore, offering increased efficiency, a new integrated avionics suite, increased payload capability, more standard equipment, and new interior styling features like LED indirect cabin lighting.

Propulsion for the Encore+ is generated by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535B engines equipped with dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and are rated at 3,400 pounds of thrust.

Maximum takeoff weight for the Citation Encore+ has been increased by 200 pounds over the Encore, enabling the typical operator to have a full fuel payload (in addition to two pilots) in excess of 1,100 pounds. The Citation Encore+ is expected to be certified for single-pilot operation.

The avionics on the Encore+ is the most advanced available on this class of business jet. The integrated Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite encompasses many of the same features as the Citation CJ3 and CJ1+ and CJ2+. The heart of the integration resides in the File Server Unit (FSU) serving as a portal to display electronic charting, graphical weather, and enhanced mapping in the cockpit. The Primary Flight Displays (PFD) and enhanced Multi-Function Display (MFD) are presented on three 8-inch by 10-inch active matrix color liquid crystal displays.

Other integrated avionics features include Pro Line 21 Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) radios, and Collins FMS-3000 with performance database. The Encore+ is equipped with standard Terrain Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), Mark VIII Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), and broadcast graphical weather including Next Generation Doppler Radar (NEXRAD) information, Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METARs), and textual Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF).

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2005, Cessna delivered 1,157 aircraft and reported revenues of about $3.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 187,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 4,500 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com. Cessna is a subsidiary of Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees in continuing operations. 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.

Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this report and other oral and written statements made by Textron from time to time are forward-looking statements, including those that discuss strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; or project revenues, income, returns or other financial measures. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including the following: [a] changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact interest and foreign exchange rates; [b] the interruption of production at Textron facilities or Textron's customers or suppliers; [c] Textron's ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; [d] the U.S. Government's ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with Textron for the Government's convenience or for Textron's failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, and, under certain circumstances, to suspend or debar Textron as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards; [e] changes in national or international funding priorities and government policies on the export and import of military and commercial products; [f] the adequacy of cost estimates for various customer care programs including servicing warranties; [g] the ability to control costs and successful implementation of various cost reduction programs; [h] the timing of certifications of new aircraft products; [i] the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which Textron products are sold or supplied or where Textron Financial offers financing; [j] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; [k] the impact of changes in tax legislation; [l] the extent to which Textron is able to pass raw material price increases through to customers or offset such price increases by reducing other costs; [m]Textron's ability to offset, through cost reductions, pricing pressure brought by original equipment manufacturer customers; [n] Textron's ability to realize full value of receivables and investments in securities; [o] the availability and cost of insurance; [p] increases in pension expenses related to lower than expected asset performance or changes in discount rates; [q] Textron Financial's ability to maintain portfolio credit quality; [r] Textron Financial's access to debt financing at competitive rates; [s] uncertainty in estimating contingent liabilities and establishing reserves to address such contingencies; [t] performance of acquisitions; [u] the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products; [v] bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers or customers that could cause disruptions in Textron's supply chain or difficulty in collecting amounts owed by such customers; and [w] Textron's ability to execute planned dispositions.

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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