Aluminum leader to provide design support, material supply
NEW ORLEANS & NEW YORK, Sep 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today joined L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL), to announce the addition of Alcoa Defense, a business of Alcoa (NYSE: AA), to the team pursuing the U.S. Navy's next-generation landing craft, the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC).
"With more than 100,000 lbs of aluminum in every craft, you want to make sure you have the undisputed world leader in aluminum on your team," said Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley. "With Alcoa's unsurpassed knowledge of aluminum production and performance, proven design capability and advanced product manufacturing know-how, they are an integral part of our team's low risk and life cycle focused approach to SSC."
As a business segment of the world's largest aluminum company, Alcoa Defense is a leader in designing, developing and manufacturing high-performance aluminum structures optimized for cost and weight. Alcoa Defense brings a proven track record in systems and materials solutions to the team, offering its advanced manufacturing and structural design support, as well as materials and sub-assembly supply options for fabrication and assembly.
"Textron Marine & Land Systems and L-3 together are the experienced leaders in heavy lift air cushion design, engineering, manufacturing and integration," said Alcoa Defense Director Jimmy Williams. "Alcoa Defense gives the team another way to optimize the SSC design. With an unmatched combination of proven design tools and new manufacturing technologies, this team has the capability to minimize craft weight and maximize cost savings that have not only been achieved on the LCAC program, but more recently in Alcoa Defense's case, the Littoral Combat Ship and Joint High Speed Vessel."
The SSC is planned to be the functional replacement for the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), the cornerstone of the U.S. amphibious program for more than 20 years, providing a revolutionary means for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to land at more than 80 percent of the world's shorelines. LCAC has fulfilled a critical role in tactical operations and humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.
The SSC program, with its amphibious lift requirement, will provide the surface assault portion of the Joint Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare tactical solution with the capability to project and sustain military operations from the sea, independent of tides, water depth, underwater obstacles, or beach gradient. An SSC detailed design and construction contract for the lead test and training craft is expected to be awarded in 2011.
About Alcoa Defense
Alcoa Defense partners with industry leaders to design systems and materials that increase the speed, reach, agility and survivability of strategic platforms. Through an unmatched combination of defense and commercial engineering, Alcoa delivers multi-product, lightweight and cost-effective solutions for programs ranging from the F35 Joint Strike Fighter to the M777 Howitzer to armored tactical and fighting vehicles. More information can be found at alcoadefense.com.
About L-3 Communications
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs approximately 67,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems, aircraft modernization and maintenance, and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of electronic systems used on military and commercial platforms. The company reported 2009 sales of $15.6 billion. To learn more about L-3, please visit the company's website at http://www.L-3com.com.
About Textron Marine & Land Systems
Textron Marine & Land Systems specializes in the design, production and support of advanced marine craft, armored combat vehicles, turrets and related subsystems. Textron Marine & Land Systems serves military and commercial customers domestically and internationally, and has products operating in more than 35 countries worldwide. Textron Marine & Land Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company. More information is available at http://www.textronmarineandland.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.
SOURCE: Textron
Investor Contacts:
Textron
Doug Wilburne, 401-457-2288
or
Textron
Bill Pitts, 401-457-2288
or
Media Contacts:
Textron Systems Corporation
Sharon Corona, 410-628-3184
or
Textron
Michael Maynard, 401-457-2474
or
L-3 Communications
Jennifer Barton, 212-697-1111
or
Alcoa Defense
Mike Belwood, 812-604-0530