New Awards Bring Total Air Force Platforms Supported to 10
HUNT VALLEY, Md., Feb 23, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its Advanced Boresight Equipment, or ABE(R) test set, has been selected to provide alignment support for two additional U.S. Air Force platforms, the HH-60 Pave Hawk and the CV-22 Osprey(R). This brings the number of Air Force aircraft supported by AAI's ABE system to 10. These awards are valued at more than $1.5 million.
ABE is a gyro-stabilized, electro-optical angular measurement system designed to align aircraft subsystems. AAI will design, develop and deliver adapters, platform-specific firmware called a Personality Module, training and manuals for the HH-60 Pave Hawk, as well as an ABE Model 310A core alignment system. These will be provided to the Corpus Christi Army Depot in Texas.
In addition, AAI will deliver one common ABE Model 310A multiplatform boresight test set for the CV-22 Osprey to Naval Air Systems Command at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, formerly Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, in New Jersey. Naval Air Systems Command at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst previously procured ABE for boresighting the AH-1W SuperCobra(R), MH-60R Seahawk(R), AV-8B Harrier II(R) and the AH-1Z Viper(R) platforms.
AAI's common ABE multiplatform boresight test set also is used with Air Force platforms including the C-17 Globemaster III(R), C-130 Hercules(R) Avionics Modernization Program, AC-130H Spectre, AC-130U Spooky, MC-130H and MC-130E Combat Talons, MC-130W Combat Spear, MC-130P Combat Shadow and F-35(R) Joint Strike Fighter(R). Platform-specific adapters and Personality Modules allow the ABE core test set to be adapted for any land, sea or air platform.
"Our ABE system is a trusted boresighting solution, which is demonstrated by the great user acceptance we've seen on both U.S. and international platforms," says Vice President of Test & Training Systems Robert Peters of AAI. "We designed the common ABE Model 310A multiplatform boresight test set to be highly adaptive to accommodate unique customer requirements, as well to deliver the ease of use, precision, reliability and repeatability our warfighters require. With these benefits, we believe that our ABE system is the ideal boresighting solution for both legacy and modern aircraft platforms."
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
ABE is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.
SuperCobra, AH-1Z, and V-22 Osprey are registered trademarks of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
AV-8B Harrier II, V-22 Osprey, and C-17 Globemaster III are registered trademarks of Boeing Management Company.
C-130 Hercules, F-35, and Joint Strike Fighter are registered trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Seahawk is a registered trademark of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
SOURCE: Textron Inc.
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