New Orleans, LA – October 9, 2007 — Textron Marine & Land, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been awarded a $4 million contract by the United States Army Tank Automotive Armaments Command (TACOM) for a pilot program to reset six M1117 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV).
The ASV reset pilot program is a public-private venture teaming Textron Marine & Land and the Red River Army Depot (RRAD). The reset process takes ASVs that have been in the field for a lengthy period of time and restores them to combat-ready status with the latest vehicle configurations. In this venture Textron Marine & Land will act as the prime contractor to provide material, technical data, and program management, while the Red River Army Depot will contribute labor and facilities to accomplish the reset. Work for this program will take place in Texarkana, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Having Textron joined at the hip with depot mechanics is key to the ASV Reset initiative," said United States Army ASV Program Manager Colonel Scott Kidd. "Data collected from the pilot effort will allow us to efficiently and effectively determine the size, scope and affordability of the total ASV reset operation."
The pilot program takes current Textron Marine & Land program support to the next level in officially teaming with the Army maintenance depot. "RRAD is proud to be given the opportunity to be a partner with Textron to enhance the capability and effectiveness of our soldiers," said RRAD Deputy Commander Paul Addington. "Together we will draw on the strengths of both organizations and provide a high-quality vehicle that serves well in the field."
RRAD is an ISO 9000 registered industrial complex providing responsive and innovative solutions for the Department of Defense (DoD) in repair, overhaul, recapitalization, remanufacture, certification, and conversion of combat systems and tactical vehicles. The depot's vast industrial complex has the capacity and capability to completely overhaul/remanufacture a wide range of combat systems and tactical vehicles. The multi-function capability fully supports the military's ongoing joint transformation.
"Since the first day, our partnership with Red River has been a positive, full team effort. This pilot program will set the groundwork for all future efforts and is essential to establishing the long-term framework, processes, people and facilities for restoring ASVs to combat-ready condition," said Textron Marine & Land General Manager Tom Walmsley. "Senior Army and Textron Leadership support for this partnership has been clear since the beginning. This is a win-win for everyone from taxpayers to soldiers"
About the ASV
The ASV is a 4X4 wheeled armored vehicle that offers significant crew protection through the employment of multiple layers of armor that provides defense against small arms fire, artillery projectile fragments, and land mines. This advanced armor is exceedingly lightweight and, along with its dimensions, allows the vehicle to be able to "roll-on/roll-off" C-130 military transport aircraft. The ASV possesses superior mobility, agility, handling, and ride quality through the utilization of a four-wheel independent suspension system. Textron Marine & Land has equipped the M1117 ASV with a specially designed dual-weapon station that, unlike many other vehicles, enables the crew to load, reload and clear gun jams under full armor protection.
With minor modifications and appropriate outfitting, ASV variants can perform a wide variety of missions including scout, infantry personnel carrier, reconnaissance, command and recovery. Current missions of the ASV include operations with the Military Police, convoy protection, and Field Artillery Combat Observation and Lasing Teams (COLT). Its record of performance, reliability and survivability in the field is impeccable. More than 800 ASVs have been deployed in the U.S. Army operations around the globe. Textron Marine & Land has built more than 1,100 vehicles to date.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation ("Textron Systems") provides innovative technology solutions to meet the needs of the global aerospace and defense industries. The company supports military and homeland security missions with strike weapons, as well as mobility and surveillance systems, and provides commercial and general aviation with engines and actuation systems. The Textron name is well known in the areas of advanced weapons, surveillance systems, aircraft control components, piston engines, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles. Textron Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avco Corporation. Avco Corporation is wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. 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 Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.