Small Electric System Demonstrates Expeditionary Capabilities
Hunt Valley, MD - February 24, 2009 - AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it has completed a successful flight demonstration of the Orbiter™ unmanned aircraft system (UAS) at Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, Ariz. The exercise demonstrated the expeditionary capabilities of this small electric UAS. In fact, the entire system was contained in three soldier-transportable packs. The system was set up and launched in approximately 10 minutes by non-AAI participants in the exercise, who also were able to easily navigate the aircraft and operate its payload.
AAI announced in September 2008 that it had teamed with Yavne, Israel-based Aeronautics Ltd., designer of the Orbiter miniature UAS, to market the product. Aeronautics specializes in comprehensive defense solutions and the development, manufacture, and operation of unmanned platforms.
“AAI and Aeronautics are both committed to developing robust and capable unmanned aircraft,” explains Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. “The Orbiter aircraft complements our portfolio of UAS. Its ease-of-use, reliability and portability, with the added benefit of quiet electric operation, make it an exciting addition to our family of interoperable unmanned aircraft systems.”
The company’s portfolio of small UAS also includes its line of Aerosonde® aircraft, known for high endurance and mission flexibility; as well as the Honeywell International T-Hawk™ (formerly known as the Micro Air Vehicle), for which AAI builds the combat-proven airframe. In addition to its growing family of small UAS, AAI is known for its world-class Shadow tactical UAS, currently fielded with the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
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 Geospatial Systems, Overwatch Tactical 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. (NYSE: TXT) is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 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, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
Orbiter is a trademark of Aeronautics Ltd.
Aerosonde is a registered trademark of Aerosonde Pty Ltd.
T-Hawk is a trademark of Honeywell