Team to Offer Modern, Combat-proven Armored Wheeled Vehicles for Romanian Armed Forces' Future Vehicle Requirements
NEW ORLEANS & BACAU, Romania, Apr 08, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and Aerostar SA today announced a Teaming Agreement to jointly produce Textron Marine & Land Systems' combat-proven Armored Security Vehicles (ASV) and Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles in anticipation of the Romanian Land Forces' upgraded protection, survivability and mobility vehicle requirements.
Textron Marine & Land Systems manufactures a family of armored wheeled vehicles, including the M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), the M1200 Armored Knight for the U.S. Army, and an extended-length Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in use by several allied Coalition Force countries. Since 2004, Textron Marine & Land Systems has delivered more that 2,600 armored vehicles to the U.S. Army and international customers. A majority of these vehicles are currently being used in support of combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These vehicles possess exceptional protection, survivability, firepower and mobility as well as exhibit high operational readiness rates even as vehicles log more than 30,000 miles per year in hazardous terrain and conditions. Interoperability with other Coalition Forces utilizing ASVs and APCs, particularly in critical Iraq and Afghanistan operational areas, has enhanced command and control and logistics support. Key missions include combat patrols, convoy protection, checkpoint control, border and perimeter security, Field Artillery Combat Observation and Lasing Teams (COLT), and troop assault operations. Textron Marine & Land Systems' armored vehicles, which offer scalable levels of protection, are also designed to carry out Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition (RSTA), recovery and evacuation, and medical support missions.
"The Textron Marine & Land Systems' family of armored vehicles is comprised of highly mobile, adaptable and survivable vehicles," said Grigore Filip, President and General Director, Aerostar SA. "Our strong Aerostar manufacturing capabilities and facilities within the Bacau region coupled with Textron Marine & Land Systems' armored vehicle expertise, creates an extensive aerospace and defense resource for the Romanian Armed Forces as they require combat-proven armored wheeled vehicles that are delivered on-time and within budget."
"Teaming with Aerostar, a highly regarded aerospace and defense manufacturer and integrator in Europe, allows us to better address the vehicle requirements of the Romanian Land Forces serving side-by-side with U.S. troops as a Coalition partner," added Textron Marine & Land Systems Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Mark Savarese. "Aerostar fully complements our armored vehicle engineering expertise and meets our high standards for lean manufacturing. Together with Aerostar, we look forward to the opportunity to work with the Romanian Land Forces to modernize their armored vehicles, while bringing jobs to Romania."
About Aerostar
Since 1953, Aerostar has supported Romanian, NATO forces and commercial aerospace customers by providing critical integration, manufacturing, upgrade and maintenance services for aviation, ground, artillery and missile systems. These programs have included manufacturing the prototype of IAR-93, the first Romanian fighter aircraft; delivering more than 1,800 IAK-52 light aircraft; overhauling more than 3,500 aircraft and 6,000 jet engines; converting major commercial airline aircraft from passenger to cargo jets; developing and manufacturing vehicle cargo platforms and vehicular artillery and multiple launch rocket systems for the Land Forces; and serving as the systems integrator for the Romanian Ministry of Defence's LAROM Program.
About Textron Marine & Land Systems
Textron Marine & Land Systems specializes in the design, production and support of advanced marine craft, armored combat vehicles, turrets and related subsystems. Textron Marine & Land Systems serves military and commercial customers domestically and internationally, and has products operating in more than 35 countries worldwide. Textron Marine & Land Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company. More information is available at http://www.textronmarineandland.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.
SOURCE: Textron Inc.
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