Modifications Prepare Aircraft for External Stores, New Fuel Injection System and Laser Designation
HUNT VALLEY, Md., Apr 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it has begun deliveries of the new extended wing kit for its Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS). The U.S. Army has ordered 100 extended wing kits for distribution to Army and Marine Corps units.
With this enhancement, the Shadow aircraft's wingspan increases from 14 to 20 feet. This additional wingspan increases the size of the aircraft's fuel cell, and also increases aircraft endurance from six to nearly nine hours.
"At nearly 500,000 total flight hours, Shadow TUAS are flying around the clock for our customers in the field," says Division Vice President, Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Russell Walker of AAI. "We are constantly on the lookout for ways that the system can provide even greater overall value. Increasing mission endurance will reduce the number of mission launches and recoveries in a given day, likewise reducing workload for our warfighters in the field."
The redesigned wing also includes hard points for external stores. This modification dramatically increases the Shadow aircraft's mission flexibility in theater, allowing it to not only gather and disseminate electro-optical and infrared full-motion video and metadata with its standard payload, but also to carry additional payloads.
AAI will use a fleet update program, which officially kicked off at the beginning of February, to install additional enhancements to the aircraft. Wiring harness and software modifications are designed to enable the Shadow aircraft to accept the new laser designator payload, another new capability being fielded to Shadow systems. In addition, a new electronic fuel injection engine and fuel system will increase the system's reliability under the wide range of environmental conditions encountered by fielded Shadow systems.
"The Shadow aircraft fleet update program enables us to rapidly transition all of these technologies to the field," says Vice President Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. "Our team is dedicated to providing a seamless user experience, as well as continuous growth of Shadow system capabilities. AAI's years of experience as the designer, manufacturer and systems integrator for Shadow TUAS, as well as our system maintenance, logistics and operations expertise, give us an unmatched ability to deliver a total value solution for our customers."
About AAI
AAI Corporation and its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries Aerosonde Pty Ltd and ESL Defence Limited design, produce and support industry-leading aerospace and defense products and services, including unmanned aircraft and ground control technologies; high-fidelity training and simulation systems; automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment; armament systems; and logistical, engineering, supply chain and operational support services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at http://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, 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 http://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 http://www.textron.com.
AAI and design is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.
Shadow is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.
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 Overseas Contingency Operations; (c) 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; (d) our ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; (e) legislative or regulatory actions impacting defense operations; (e) the timing of new product launches and certifications of new products; (f) the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products (f) the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; and (g) performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors and business partners.
SOURCE: Textron
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