Wilmington, MA – March 30, 2007 — Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its Tactical and Urban Unattended Ground Sensor Systems (T-UGS and U-UGS) and Intelligent Munitions System (IMS) are among the defense products and technologies featured as part of the Discovery Channel's weekly Future Weapons program. The hour-long episode, entitled Superweapons, will focus on the technological advances that have been integrated onto the battlefield to form an intelligent networked "system of systems", characterized by the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.
As part of FCS, Textron Defense Systems' T-UGS and U-UGS sensors are capable of detecting, classifying, locating and tracking targets such as ground vehicles, low-flying aircraft and dismounted personnel in rural and urban environments, and transmitting that information rapidly via the FCS intelligence network.
While T-UGS sensors are adaptable to a wide range of tactical missions, U-UGS sensors are optimized for urban environments and for use in small, confined spaces such as buildings, sewers, tunnels and caves. Both systems provide near-real-time actionable intelligence to tactical commanders in the field.
Textron Defense Systems' IMS solution features a network of sensors and munitions, providing the soldier with the capability to detect and engage threat vehicles and personnel while keeping fellow soldiers and friendly forces out of harm's way and minimizing non-combatant casualties. It is the only ground-based, wide-area, top attack anti-vehicle weapon system of its kind. The attack mechanism in the IMS is based on the battle-proven Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW). SFW's smart Skeet™ technology provides both hard and soft target capability, and is equipped with two self-destruct modes and a self-neutralization feature to leave no hazardous unexploded ordnance on the ground, resulting in a cleaner battlefield.
The U.S. Army has characterized both the UGS and IMS systems as force multipliers, in their ability to "Shape the Battlefield" by enabling terrain control by the warfighter. These systems provide frontline soldiers with actionable information to minimize their risk while enhancing their operational effectiveness.
The Future Weapons series airs weekly on Monday evenings at 9 pm ET/PT, and is hosted by 10-year veteran Navy SEAL, Richard Machowicz. Details regarding the Future Weapons series can be obtained from www.discovery.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation (“Textron Systems”) provides innovative technology solutions to meet the needs of the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities. The company is known for its precision smart weapons, surveillance systems, complex intelligence and communications systems, aircraft control systems, piston engines, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles. Textron Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avco Corporation. Avco Corporation is wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. 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, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.