NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., April 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that it is one of three companies awarded the U.S. Navy's Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Services multiple-award contract, encompassing both land- and sea-based unmanned aircraft systems operations for the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Inclusive of all potential contracts among the three awardees, including AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, the Navy ISR Services award has a total not-to-exceed value of $874 million over five years.
The company's winning bid was based on its multi-mission-capable Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS), which incorporates a heavy-fuel engine for reliable performance and mission endurance of up to 16 hours. It delivers persistent electro-optic/infrared ISR, plus with its large payload size, weight and power, it can accommodate another payload of choice for superior mission flexibility. Designed specifically for expeditionary land- and sea-based operations, the Aerosonde system uses an AAI-designed, one-piece Launch and Recovery Trailer for efficient takeoff and landing, as well as an Expeditionary Ground Control Station for portable command and control operations.
"In the early days of U.S. Navy unmanned aviation, AAI and Naval Air Systems Command demonstrated the tremendous potential of unmanned technology through our Pioneer program, and today, we are proud to support the Marine Corps with our battle-proven Shadow® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System," says Senior Vice President and General Manager Steven Reid of AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "Both programs are successes for our customers, and therefore points of pride for our team. Now, we are excited to provide the very best of today's small unmanned aircraft technology with our Aerosonde system in support of the Navy ISR Services program."
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems leads an experienced team for Navy ISR Services. Fellow Textron Systems operating unit AAI Logistics & Technical Services, along with other teammates, will provide worldwide UAS operations, maintenance, sustainment, spares and product support for the Navy ISR Services program. AAI Logistics & Technical Services brings decades of experience in full-service UAS operations and sustainment; for example, teaming with the U.S. Army customer for superior operational capability on the award-winning Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System performance based logistics program. Central to this success is a highly skilled and experienced staff of operators and maintainers with unparalleled system and mission knowledge.
"We have the resources and operational understanding to get the right people into the field, when and where they're needed," says Senior Vice President and General Manager Diane Giuliani of AAI Logistics & Technical Services. "Our customers need partners who understand the operational environment, and who can deliver the support they need seamlessly as one team. We are eager to engage these skills in support of the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force."
Media Contact:
Sharon Corona
Textron Systems Corporation
(410) 628-3184
About AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems has designed, manufactured and fielded combat-proven unmanned aircraft systems for more than 25 years. AAI's multi-mission capable unmanned aircraft and interoperable command and control technologies provide critical situational awareness and actionable intelligence for users worldwide. Its Australia-based strategic business, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, is a manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems. AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., the company is 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 and operational services. Textron Systems includes AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Advanced Systems, Aerosonde, ESL Defence, Lycoming Engines, Medical Numerics, MillenWorks, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. 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.
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, 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; and the risk that the contract values actually awarded will be less than anticipated and may not support the investment necessary to perform the contracts.
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