Hunt Valley, MD - October 15, 2008 - AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the U.S. Army has successfully completed live-fire testing of laser designation capability for the RQ-7 Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS). The event confirmed the system's precision, with all missiles hitting their intended targets.
The airborne Shadow aircraft laser designator places a concentrated laser spot on a target, enabling precise tracking by a missile to the target of interest. Three missiles were fired during the exercise: the first launched from a ground launcher, the second was performed as a lock-on before launch from an Apache helicopter, and the third was a lock-on after launch from the Apache.
"Unmanned aircraft excel in applications where they can keep aircrews out of harm's way," explains Steven Reid, AAI's vice president of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "Because our Shadow TUAS can provide this valuable laser designation capability, manned aircraft can remain significantly farther from their intended targets without jeopardizing the success of their missions."
Having successfully completed live-fire testing of the technology, AAI moves into the low-rate initial production phase of this project, during which the laser designator will be readied for full-rate production and retrofit to delivered Shadow systems.
The Shadow TUAS is in service with the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. These systems have amassed more than 350,000 total flight hours, the vast majority of which have been in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
About AAI
AAI Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense systems through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, ESL Defence Limited, and Symtx, Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, and logistical, engineering, and supply chain services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.
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 wholly owned 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, defense and intelligence, 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.