HELI-EXPO 2005 - Anaheim, CA - February 5, 2005 - Bell Helicopter, in conjunction with Aeronautical Accessories Inc. (AAI) and Intelligent Automation Corporation (IAC), has developed an advanced Helicopter Vibration Monitoring (HVM) system for the Bell 412. The Bell HVM is a high performance, lightweight, and low cost system certified to FAA and CAA requirements.

The Bell HVM meets the most stringent operator requirements for a vibration monitoring system and is capable of conducting general vibration monitoring, rotor track and balance, and advanced gear and bearing diagnostics. When the Bell HVM is combined with the SmartCycle+ from Altair Avionics (a member of the Pratt &Whitney Canada Service Centre Network) operators are provided with a monitoring capability more advanced than earlier Health Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) at a fraction of the procurement and operating costs.

Commenting on the system Bell Helicopter Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh said, "Our customers have asked us for an affordable, light weight and high performance HUMS. As part of our RMU strategy we have pursued such a system. We are now delighted to offer our customers the Bell HVM which I believe will enable better on-site and remote support our customers."

The new Bell HVM system is derived from the proven IAC Modern Signal Processing Unit (MSPU) - Health and Usage Management System (HUMS) that currently has over 100 systems flying including many on U.S. Army models.

The HVM kit for the 412 will be available through AAI in the first quarter of 2005. Systems for the Bell 210 and 212 will follow as the customer requirements become better defined. As a system from Bell/AAI, the operators of this HVM will enjoy all of the benefits of the support offered by Bell's #1 rated Customer Service Department.

During 2005, Bell will field a new set of maintenance publications for the 412, which will allow the HVM's ground station to directly access specific manuals. As the customer base for the HVM grows, the HVM's Internet based fleet management tools will be brought online to provide the ability for Bell to respond more rapidly to customer inquires, detect fleet trends which need to be addressed, and refine the system diagnostics.

Bell Helicopter Textron, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., is a $1.6 billion, leading producer of commercial and military helicopters, and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce of over 7,500 employees serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries.

Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 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.