Textron Systems Appoints Fred Strader as COO, Ellen Lord to Lead AAI

April 09, 2008

Wilmington, MA - April 9, 2008 - Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the appointment of Fred Strader as its chief operating officer. Strader, previously the president of AAI, an operating unit of Textron Systems, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company's seven operating units and drive further system and process improvements across Textron Systems. The company also announced the promotion of Ellen Lord from Textron Systems' vice president of Integration Management to senior vice president and general manager of AAI, taking over responsibility for the performance and management of the operating unit.

"As Textron Systems grows and continues to serve its customers with innovative and proven solutions like the Armored Security Vehicle and Shadow unmanned aircraft system, we continue to strengthen our leadership team and our operations," said Frank Tempesta, president of Textron Systems. "Fred and Ellen are accomplished leaders with extensive experience in our industry and, in their new positions, they will add greater value for our customers, partners and employees."

Strader, who will continue to report to Tempesta, joined Textron Systems in 2007 through Textron's acquisition of United Industrial Corporation (UIC) and its subsidiary AAI. Prior to the acquisition, Strader was president and chief executive officer of the publicly traded UIC. He also led AAI's Defense Systems segment.

Strader's distinguished career includes 21 years with United Defense LP and its predecessor, FMC, where as general manager of the company's Armament Systems Division he developed and produced defense technologies including missile launch systems and large caliber gun systems for the U.S. Navy, Army and Marine Corps. He also held key strategic planning, financial and manufacturing positions in FMC and FMC's Agriculture Machinery and Steel Products Divisions.

Strader has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ripon College and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He served on active duty for four years with the U.S. Army and was a reserve officer in the Army Acquisition Corps for 22 years. Strader is a trustee of the National Defense Industrial Association and is a member of the Navy League, the Association of the United States Army, and the American Society for Quality Control.

In her new position at AAI, Lord will now report to Strader. She joined Textron Systems in 1996 and has held several positions of increasing responsibility since. Most recently, she has been leading the integration of AAI into Textron Systems, giving her daily contact with AAI's business. Previously, Lord was vice president of Intelligent Battlefield Systems at Textron Defense Systems, also an operating unit of Textron Systems, where she was responsible for the unattended networked ground sensor and munitions systems business line. Lord also held the role of vice president, Strategy for Textron Systems, in addition to several business and operations positions.

Before joining Textron Systems, Lord spent eleven years with Textron Automotive Technology Center managing proprietary and patented plastics technology. She led teams that developed an innovative new family of engineering thermoplastics for automotive interiors with Dow Plastics and commercialized Bright Trim(TM), a revolutionary coating used by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

Lord is a Textron Six Sigma Black Belt and earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in Chemistry from Connecticut College and the University of New Hampshire, respectively.

About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for over 50 years. Known for its precision smart weapons, intelligent battlefield systems, surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, aircraft control components, piston engines, armored vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems, Textron Systems includes AAI, HR Textron, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch Tactical Operations, Overwatch Geospatial Operations, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 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.

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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