SAGEM, Rheinmetall Defence Electronics and Bell Helicopter Sign a Strategic Agreement to Provide Tactical VUAVs to European Armed Forces

December 21, 2004

Fort Worth, TX - December 21, 2004 - SAGEM of France, Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) of Germany, and Bell Helicopter, Textron company have signed a Teaming Agreement to provide a next generation tactical VTOL UAV (VUAV) to the expeditionary forces of Europe. SAGEM, RDE and Bell Helicopter will combine their UAV expertise to provide a Vertical Takeoff and landing UAV system that will meet the tactical mission requirements of modern European expeditionary forces.

The VUAV system will be based on a modified version of Bell's Eagle Eye VUAV air vehicle. SAGEM and RDE will furnish the ground and ship borne control stations, digital data links, EO/IR payloads, simulators and C4I integration. The agreement will reinforce the interoperability of the companies' current UAV systems and will ensure the new system fits into and is supportable within the existing UAV infrastructure of NATO and other European forces. Each company will contribute its unique expertise and individual experience to bring the project to fruition.

Groupe SAGEM is an internationally based high-technology group. The second largest French group in the field of telecommunications, the third European company in electronics for defence and security, the world leader in fingerprint-based biometrics, the European leader in tactical UAV systems with 6 SPERWER customers, SAGEM maintains a presence in more than 20 countries.

Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH, with its Land and Airborne Systems, Simulation Systems divisions is one of the leading companies in the defence electronic sector in Europe and in the world. With its long experience and system competence in modular unmanned airborne vehicles for the missions of Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare and Combat, RDE currently is responsible for the comprehensive German system family of UAVs e.g. the target localisation KZO and the TAIFUN combat UAV.The Bremen based company is a member of Rheinmetall DeTec AG, the management holding for all defence activities, within the Rheinmetall group.

Bell Helicopter, a subsidiary of Textron Inc, is a leading producer of commercial and military helicopters, and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognised for world class customer service, innovation and quality products, Bell was selected to provide the Eagle Eye tilt rotor UAV system to the US Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater System program. The Eagle Eye is scheduled for its first flight in the Spring of 2005. Deliveries to the US Coast Guard are to begin in 2007.

Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in nearly 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.

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