Overwatch Tactical Operations Receives Award from Thales for Ka/Ku-Band Shipboard Satellite Communications Antennas

March 26, 2009
Systems Will Enhance Royal Norwegian Navy’s Nansen-Class Frigates

Austin, TX - March 26, 2009 - Overwatch Tactical Operations, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that its Communication Systems business area has received an award from Thales - France to provide five sets of Ka/Ku multiband satellite communications (SATCOM) antennas for use on the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Nansen-class frigates.

This advanced Ka/Ku multiband solution minimizes the required amount of deck space, which is at a premium, by combining the functionality of two antennas into a single antenna that provides maximum operational flexibility through remotely reconfigurable frequency band control. Partnering with key vendors including Pacific Radome and the Microwave Components Group of Cobham Sensor Systems, Overwatch Tactical Operations antenna multiband solution will be integrated into Thales’s sea-proven SURFSAT naval SATCOM family of products to provide unmatched performance for the Royal Norwegian Navy.

“We began development of our patented, unique approach to multiband antenna technology well over a decade ago. We saw an emerging operational need for SATCOM terminals to match the multiband capabilities of the satellites with which they communicate,” explains Business Area Manager Terry Benson of Overwatch Tactical Operations. “In the shipboard environment, our solutions address deck space limitations while maximizing operational flexibility by providing simultaneous multiband SATCOM capability in one antenna. As a result, our customers never need to compromise between form and function for their shipboard, teleport, transportable or flyaway applications.”

The antenna design is based upon Overwatch Tactical Operations’ patented feed and lens technology. Utilizing a field-proven coaxial cavity design for individual frequency bands produces a feed which provides separate, electrically isolated outputs for each band in the desired polarization orientation. In conjunction with the basic feed design, a patented lens technology is used to focus the feed based on the antenna aperture (shape and size) to meet the gain and efficiency requirements.

Overwatch Tactical Operations is an industry leader in providing multiband SATCOM solutions. For more information, e-mail multiband@overwatch.com.

About Overwatch Tactical Operations
Overwatch Tactical Operations is an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, providing a suite of integrated software tools that is dedicated to the analysis, design, development, and support of complex intelligence, information, and communications systems. As a leader in software C4ISR systems, we use industry standards to provide intelligence products that are light-weight, portable, scalable, and interoperable for the warfighter, first responder and counterterrorism analysts. Overwatch Tactical Operations has obtained Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®) Level 5 rating and AS9100, ISO9001-2000 certifications. Overwatch Tactical Operations is committed to the warfighter. For more information about the company and product demonstrations, contact business development at 512-358-2600 or visit the company Web site at http://tactical.overwatch.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. 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.

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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