Astronics to provide Bell V-280 Valor™ power distribution systems

Fort Worth, Texas (May 5, 2014) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that Astronics Advanced Electric Systems will design and manufacture power distribution systems for the Bell V-280 Valor™.  

John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter, says: “We are pleased Astronics is making the strategic decision to join our growing team of aerospace leaders and help develop our third generation tiltrotor, the Bell V-280. By using Astronics solid state power distribution systems, we provide enhanced reliability, weight savings, and advanced control capabilities for the V-280 Valor. Team Valor continues to align interests and resources on this clean sheet design, together delivering technology and innovation that reduces cost, weight and complexity in order to make the next generation of tiltrotor technology more affordable.”

Bell Helicopter President and CEO John Garrison (Center Left) presents Kellsey Justus (Center Right), Astronics Vice President Airborne Power, with a Bell V-280 model at the 2014 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Nashville, TN. Also pictured from Astronics Michael Ballas (Far Left) and Jon Vandewege (Far Right).

Kellsey Justus, vice president of Astronics product line, says: “Astronics is very proud to be selected as a teaming partner on the Bell V-280 program. Building on our successful work on the Bell 525 and 505 programs, Astronics will be providing the primary and secondary electrical power distribution system for the V-280 tiltrotor. We are pleased to continue our relationship with Bell by participating in this exciting program that sets the stage for the future of vertical lift and the latest innovations in power distribution technology.”

The transformational features of Bell Helicopter's third generation tiltrotor technologies within the Joint Multi Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) reduce risk and inform the requirements for the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program.  With increased maintainability and component and systems reliability, the Bell V-280 is designed to deliver the best value in procurement, operations and support, and force structure. With twice the speed and range of the U.S. Army’s current fleet, the Bell V-280 Valor will offer commanders a combat maneuver platform with the operational agility and effectiveness to self-deploy and perform multiple vertical lift missions. 

Team Valor is a group comprised of leading aerospace companies bringing the best engineering resources, industrial capabilities and critical thinking to meet the U.S. Army’s needs. 

Press Contact;
BELL HELICOPTER
ANDY WOODWARD
+1 817-280-3100
mediarelations@bh.com
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ASTRONICS CORPORATION
LEANN HURST
+1 425 702-4943
LeAnn.Hurst@astronics.com

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 tiltrotor 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 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, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these 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 statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the risk that the U.S. Army will not choose the Bell V-280 for its Future Vertical Lift program; the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses or delays in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to military operations in foreign countries; changes in worldwide economic or political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates or foreign exchange rates; our ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; 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, or, under certain circumstances, to withhold payment or suspend or debar us as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards; changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget constraints and determinations, or changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of military and commercial products; and performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors or business partners.

About ASTRONICS
Astronics Corporation is a leader in advanced, high-performance lighting, electrical power, specialized avionics products and automated test systems for the global aerospace and defense industries. Astronics' strategy is to develop and maintain positions of technical leadership in its chosen aerospace and defense markets, to leverage those positions to grow the amount of content and volume of product it sells to those markets and to selectively acquire businesses with similar technical capabilities that could benefit from our leadership position and strategic direction. Astronics Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a reputation for high-quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices. The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website at www.astronics.com.

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its Web site at www.astronics.com.