Overwatch's SoldierEyesTM Named One of C4ISR Journal's "Big 25" for 2011

October 19, 2011

Award recognizes innovative mobile applications and services that deliver vital intelligence to military personnel on the tactical edge

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct 19, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Overwatch, a strategic business of Textron Systems Advanced Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its SoldierEyesTM mobile smartphone solution, which provides vital intelligence and communications support for military personnel in full-spectrum operations, has been named to C4ISR Journal's elite group of 2011's "Big 25" programs and innovations within the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) community.

A defense industry source for ISR and networking technologies news, the publication will recognize "Big 25" winners during the 11th Annual "C4ISR Journal Conference & Big 25 Awards," on October 27-28 in Washington, D.C. At that time, one top technology will be named in each of five award areas, including the "Innovations" category in which SoldierEyes is being honored. According to the publication, winners in this category are "new technologies or approaches, or solutions adapted from existing technologies and approaches," and "must have demonstrated significant promise in a relevant test environment."

Overwatch recently demonstrated SoldierEyes' full capabilities with United States and coalition forces at the Empire Challenge 2011 joint forces demonstration in Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Soldiers from the Arizona National Guard's 860th Military Police Company and Human Intelligence teams utilized SoldierEyes to support convoy and intelligence collection operations in the Arizona desert. Both teams applied the system's capabilities to gather, analyze and share information and imagery (still and full motion video) vital to mission success.

"SoldierEyes' performance during the Empire Challenge was outstanding," reported Mike McCarthy, director of operations, Brigade Modernization Command, TRADOC, U.S. Army.

Throughout the demonstration SoldierEyes smartphone applications enabled soldiers to quickly form a common understanding of their environment, collect and distribute intelligence from the edge, and collaborate in real time with commanders and the Company Intelligence Support Team analysts. Connectivity to SoldierEyes applications was provided through use of the Forward Airborne Secure Transmissions and Communications (FASTCOM) system. FASTCOM is an end-to-end mobile communications solution, developed by Textron Systems' businesses AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Overwatch, along with ViaSat, which delivers a secure cellular network to the tactical battle space.

"Innovation is most valuable when it leads to products and services that make a difference to the end user, and SoldierEyes delivers capabilities which can help save soldiers lives and contribute to mission success," said Overwatch Vice President of Business Development and Strategy Jonathan Percy. "We've produced relevant and open smartphone-enabled services and applications systems that are easily tailored to meet the needs of the military today and into the future, and we're honored to be recognized for this work."

Fellow Textron Systems operating unit Textron Defense Systems also boasted its own "Big 25" award winner. Its MicroObserver® Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) system is being honored in the "Sensor" category. MicroObserver reliably detects and tracks vehicles and personnel for perimeter defense, border security, force protection, persistent surveillance and critical infrastructure protection.

About Overwatch

Overwatch, a strategic business of Textron Systems Advanced Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, is the leading provider of integrated intelligence software solutions and services as well as robust satellite communications systems for today's U.S. and international defense and intelligence communities. For the past 20 years, Overwatch's intelligence solutions have supported decision makers, counter-terrorism analysts, warfighters and first responders by providing proven tools that simplify the integration, analysis and exploitation of intelligence in order to present a complete operational picture and accelerate the time-to-decision. More information is available at http://www.overwatch.com.

About Textron Systems Advanced Systems

Textron Systems Advanced Systems brings together cutting-edge technologies and far-reaching innovations to satisfy emerging customer demands for reliable, affordable solutions in the areas of security; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and medical research. Its strategic business Overwatch is a leading provider of intelligence software solutions and robust satellite communications systems for U.S. and international defense, intelligence and law enforcement communities. The Advanced Systems business also continues efforts on light arms technologies and unmanned systems such as the Common Unmanned Surface Vessel, or CUSV, conceived by AAI. Another strategic business, Medical Numerics, provides processing and analysis software for medical imaging research. Textron Systems Advanced Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at http://www.textronsystems.com.

About Textron Systems

Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., the company is 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 and operational services. Textron Systems includes AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Advanced Systems, Aerosonde, ESL Defence, Lycoming Engines, Medical Numerics, MillenWorks, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. 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

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