Wilmington, Mass. - October 3, 2011 - Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it has opened a new Florida office serving the Emerald Coast region from Pensacola to Panama City. Located at 51 3rd Street at the Tech Center in Shalimar, the Textron Defense Systems Emerald Coast office provides a dedicated local presence to serve the area's broad customer base with even greater speed and agility. Neighboring the office's Shalimar location are Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Tyndall AFB, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command's Hurlburt Field, and Pensacola Naval Air Station.
The Emerald Coast office will be led by Textron Defense Systems Director, Business Strategy and Capture Mick Guthals. In this role, Guthals serves as a key partner for government and international customers seeking solutions in areas including precision smart weapons and specialty materials, as well as sensor, surveillance and protection systems. Prior to joining the company in 2010, Guthals retired from a 27-year career in the Air Force as vice commander of the 53rd Wing, which is based at Eglin AFB.
"Textron Defense Systems has a longstanding relationship with customers on the Emerald Coast; in that sense, this new office simply provides the added benefit of a brick-and-mortar presence in the region," says Guthals. "With that physical presence in the area, we look forward to creating even stronger ties with our customer base and identifying ways that our products and technologies can fill their critical capability gaps."
About Textron Defense Systems
Textron Defense Systems employs advanced technology and industry-leading expertise to develop and manufacture innovative product solutions including air-and ground-based smart weapons; directed energy weapons; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, systems; and vehicle protection systems. Its distinctive solutions for U.S. and allied militaries, aerospace and homeland security communities provide precision effects, intelligence-gathering capabilities and force protection. Textron Defense Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textrondefense.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 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.