AAI's Shadow(R) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Reach 400,000 Total Flight Hours

May 11, 2009
Aircraft Enhancements Improve Endurance and Military Utility

Hunt Valley, MD - May 11, 2009 - AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS) have exceeded 400,000 flight hours. In service with the U.S. Army, Army National Guard and Marine Corps, more than 90 percent of Shadow systems’ operational hours have been in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

“Shadow TUAS continue to evolve along with the needs of our warfighters,” explains Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. “During more than 400,000 hours of operation, we have partnered with end users to help optimize their tactics and procedures by adding new and important system capabilities.”

Shadow initiatives that got underway in 2008 are making major strides in 2009. A laser designation capability, which was tested successfully in late 2008, has been fielded on a limited number of Shadow aircraft. After these prototypes are proven, production units are expected to be fielded starting later this year. In addition, a new wing design is planned for the Shadow aircraft that increases its wingspan to 20 feet, improving payload capacity and endurance while adding hard points under each wing for external stores. Retrofit kits to equip Shadow aircraft with the new wing are expected to be fielded starting in late 2009.

AAI also is incorporating the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) onto Shadow aircraft to provide greater communications bandwidth and data security. The line-of-site, Ku-band digital data link provides Shadow system users a common interface with other military systems that incorporate TCDL — including the Extended-Range, Multipurpose Sky Warrior unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the Hunter UAS, and the Apache helicopter. Initial production systems featuring the TCDL are planned to be fielded in early 2011, followed by retrofit activities for existing systems.

“This milestone, and the sheer magnitude of maturity we’ve experienced with our Shadow TUAS, reflects AAI’s commitment to the end user,” says Reid. “Our field service representatives are deployed shoulder-to-shoulder with warfighters, maintaining, and in some cases operating, these aircraft. The wealth of battlefield feedback we receive is not taken for granted — we use this experience to make Shadow TUAS better systems for our customers.”

About AAI
AAI Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense systems through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, ESL Defence Limited, and Symtx, Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, and logistical, engineering, and supply chain services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.aaicorp.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 Geospatial Systems, Overwatch Tactical Operations, 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.

Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including but not limited to the following: (a) changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; (b) changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism; (c) legislative or regulatory actions impacting defense operations; (d) our ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; (e) the U.S. Government’s ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with us for the U.S. Government’s convenience or for our failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, and, under certain circumstances, to suspend or debar us as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards; (f) changes in product delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; (g) legislative or regulatory actions impacting defense operations; (h) the timing of new product launches and certifications of new products; (i) the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; and (j) performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors and business partners.

Note to Editors: Shadow® is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.

Connect with Textron IR
Scott Hegstrom, Investor Relations and Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategy
(401) 457-2288

Kyle Williams, Manager, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288

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