Wilmington, MA - July 31, 2009 - Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the creation of a Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) business line led by Dr. John Boness to focus on the development of the company’s laser technologies.
Laser research and development at Textron Defense Systems spans four decades stretching back to the Avco Everett Research Laboratory, which became part of Textron Defense Systems in 1984. “We are positioned well as a competitor in this market and have had significant success of late with contract awards for the Joint High Powered Solid State Laser (J-HPSSL) program funded by the Joint Technology Office and administered by the Army Space & Missile Defense Command, as well as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS) programs,” said Dr. Boness, vice president of DEW at Textron Defense Systems.
Textron Defense Systems’ laser expertise provides the foundation for this business line and solidifies the company’s position in the emerging DEW market. “We’re looking over the horizon at the future of weapons systems and directed energy has been identified as an area of interest by the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Textron Defense Systems Sr. Vice President and General Manager Mark Catizone. “Directed Energy Laser Weapons is an evolving technology, and with solid state laser technology developing toward more compact systems we believe that practical application will be achieved in the near future.”
Dr. Boness brings to the DEW business line more than 30 years experience in technical, business development and management positions with Textron Defense Systems and Avco, covering a broad range of military research and development programs. He has specialized in the development of high power lasers for weapon systems, surveillance, communications and missile countermeasures.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, 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 multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.