Textron Marine & Land Systems Launches Motor Lifeboats for Mexican Navy

January 24, 2011

NEW ORLEANS, Jan 24, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the acceptance of the sixth Motor Lifeboat (MLB) contracted by the Mexican Navy. The first five of the contracted MLBs have been delivered to Mexico with the sixth craft scheduled for delivery to Mexico in the first quarter of 2011.

The Mexican Ministry of the Navy contracted with Textron Marine & Land Systems in 2008 to build the MLBs modeled after the Textron Marine & Land Systems designed craft currently in operation with the U.S. Coast Guard. Textron Marine & Land Systems delivered the first five MLBs in seven months, during which time crew training was also completed.

"We are extremely pleased with the workmanship and performance of the Motor Lifeboat," said Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberon Sanz, of the Mexican Navy. "All of the craft were delivered on schedule and the training our crews received from the Textron Marine & Land Systems team has been of the highest quality."

The 47-foot self-righting vessel strengthens the search and rescue capabilities of the Mexican Navy, which generally consist of 17 Search and Rescue Naval Stations. The addition of MLBs fulfills the requirements for search and rescue operations in adverse weather conditions. MLBs are currently operating on both coasts of Mexico in locations such as Cuidad del Carmen in support of search and rescue operations in the Mexican off shore oil fields, as well as Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Isla Mujeres, and Tampico in support of search and rescue efforts during hurricane season.

"The MLBs delivered to Mexico have already been put to the test in operations through the 2010 hurricane season on both coasts, serving the Mexican Navy admirably," said Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley. "The MLB has proven invaluable to the U.S. Coast Guard for more than 20 years with its unsurpassed rough sea search and rescue capabilities."

About Motor Lifeboat (MLB)

The Textron Marine & Land Systems 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB) is a rugged, highly survivable, all-aluminum rescue boat that significantly enhances search and rescue operations in heavy weather conditions. Its lightweight, rugged marine-grade aluminum hull can withstand impacts from 20-foot breaking waves at three times the force of gravity. The MLB design has an inherent self-righting capability. When pitch-poled or rolled into swells, the MLB will self-right in less than 10 seconds -- with all machinery remaining fully operational. Textron Marine & Land Systems previously delivered 117 MLB craft to the United States Coast Guard.

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. Through its MillenWorks strategic business, Textron Marine & Land Systems designs and develops advanced mobility solutions for demanding on- and off-road applications. Textron Marine & Land Systems serves military and commercial customers domestically and internationally, and is an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company. More information is available at 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 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.

SOURCE: Textron

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