Wilmington, MA –October 5, 2007 — Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced an agreement with TAURUS Systems GmbH (TSG). Under this agreement, Textron Defense Systems, which manufactures air launched weapons, smart submunitions, intelligent battlefield munitions and sensor systems, and ground and airborne surveillance systems, will be able to deliver the TAURUS missile system to U.S. government customers.
TAURUS is a modular standoff missile system that combines excellent penetration capabilities for Hard and Deep Buried Targets (HDBT) with blast capability against high-value point targets. It includes the first-in-class Programmable Intelligent Multi-Purpose Fuze (PIMPF), utilizing layer counting and void sensing technologies. Christoffer Drevstad, TSG vice president for Business Development, said: "Through comprehensive research performed with Textron Defense Systems we realized that there is a need for the TAURUS missile systems capability in the U.S. market. TSG’s decision to team was based on TDS’s strength in both weapons integration and manufacturing."
Mark Rafferty, vice president for Business Development at Textron Defense Systems, commented: "We are excited about the advantage and opportunity we will have by expanding our weapons portfolio in the long range missile space. We have an excellent relationship and reputation with the U.S. Air Force through our Sensor Fuzed Weapon program and look forward to expanding that relationship with the TAURUS missile system. We are convinced that TAURUS provides a niche weapon for HDBT and will supplement weapons currently in the U.S. Government’s inventory."
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 Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
About Taurus Systems GmbH
TAURUS Systems GmbH is a Joint Venture between LFK GmbH and Saab Bofors Dynamics AB to be the prime contractor for the TAURUS missile family. More information is available at www.taurus-systems.de.