These 27 aircraft will form Lot 12 of the Kiowa Warrior SEP program. Work on the aircraft will begin in April 2009. Completed aircraft are scheduled to be delivered back to the Army at a rate of three per month beginning in September 2009.

Bell is currently modifying aircraft in Lot 11, and is on track to complete all work on that lot in June, ahead of contract schedule. "So far, we've been able to deliver every aircraft in Lot 11 two months ahead of schedule," said Amy Tedford, Director of Military Fielded Systems at Bell Helicopter. "Our goal is to continue delivering ahead of schedule as we modify the aircraft in Lot 12," she added.

The Kiowa Warriors are being upgraded with an improved engine, along with improved computer control systems that include related new wiring harnesses. The improvements are part of a series of safety and performance modifications the Army has implemented to keep the OH-58D armed reconnaissance helicopter safe and mission effective until it is retired. Once the aircraft in Lot 12 have been completed, Bell will have modified a total of 253 Kiowa Warriors on its SEP program line.

All work is being done at Bell Helicopter's Plant 1 facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Work on the Lot 12 aircraft is scheduled to be completed in mid-2010.

The US Army fleet of Kiowa helicopters has accumulated more than 1.7 million flight hours and 460,000 combat flight hours. Despite high usage rates, daily combat scenarios and harsh environmental conditions, the OH-58D continues to achieve readiness rates above 80 percent.

About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, 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.

Forward-looking Information: This release contains forward-looking statements regarding a U.S. Government program awarded to Bell Helicopter. These forward-looking statements 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 the following: (a) Textron's ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; (b) the U.S. Government's ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with Textron for the Government's convenience or for Textron's failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, and, under certain circumstances, to suspend or debar Textron as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards; (c) 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; and (d) changes in national or international funding priorities, U.S. and foreign military budget constraints and determinations and government policies on the export and import of military and commercial products.

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