HUNT VALLEY, Md., Sep 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it has received an $8.9 million award from prime contractor Northrop Grumman to provide the ground control station for the Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) program. As a principal member of the winning Northrop Grumman-led LEMV team, AAI will provide a variant of its innovative Universal Ground Control Station for the LEMV, a long-duration hybrid airship system. The AAI ground control station will be NATO standardization agreement (STANAG) 4586 compliant, meaning that it will incorporate specific features for interoperability with allied assets.

AAI's launch-and-recovery ground control station will utilize multiple work stations to provide Level 5 command and control of the aircraft. This is the highest possible level of interoperability according to NATO STANAG 4586, in which the ground control station offers users complete flight control from takeoff to landing. Additional work stations will be located at a fixed remote site. These will be responsible for aircraft command and control, along with processing, exploitation and dissemination of information.

"We have an established, decades-long reputation as a ground control technology designer and manufacturer," says AAI's Division Vice President, Ground Control Technologies Bill Irby. "Our solutions share three critical features: interoperability, scalability and commonality. These characteristics enable AAI ground control stations to be deployed successfully in countless configurations -- including the hybrid fixed and mobile work station combination we will provide for the LEMV program -- and for various unmanned aircraft, ground vehicles and surface vessels."

According to Northrop Grumman, the contracted LEMV system is scheduled for delivery within an 18-month period, after which it will be deployed for operational evaluation.

About AAI

AAI Corporation and its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries Aerosonde Pty Ltd and ESL Defence Limited design, produce and support industry-leading aerospace and defense products and services, including unmanned aircraft and ground control technologies; high-fidelity training and simulation systems; automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment; armament systems; and logistical, engineering, supply chain and operational support services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at http://www.aaicorp.com.

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, 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 http://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 http://www.textron.com.

AAI and design is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.

SOURCE: Textron Inc.

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