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Orleans, LA - October 9, 2007 - Textron Marine & Land, an operating
unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been awarded
a $4 million contract by the United States Army Tank Automotive Armaments Command
(TACOM) for a pilot program to reset six M1117 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV).
The ASV reset pilot program is a public-private venture
teaming Textron Marine & Land and the Red River Army Depot (RRAD). The reset
process takes ASVs that have been in the field for a lengthy period of time and
restores them to combat-ready status with the latest vehicle configurations. In
this venture Textron Marine & Land will act as the prime contractor to provide
material, technical data, and program management, while the Red River Army Depot
will contribute labor and facilities to accomplish the reset. Work for this program
will take place in Texarkana, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. "Having
Textron joined at the hip with depot mechanics is key to the ASV Reset initiative,"
said United States Army ASV Program Manager Colonel Scott Kidd. "Data collected
from the pilot effort will allow us to efficiently and effectively determine the
size, scope and affordability of the total ASV reset operation." The
pilot program takes current Textron Marine & Land program support to the next
level in officially teaming with the Army maintenance depot. "RRAD is proud
to be given the opportunity to be a partner with Textron to enhance the capability
and effectiveness of our soldiers," said RRAD Deputy Commander Paul Addington.
"Together we will draw on the strengths of both organizations and provide
a high-quality vehicle that serves well in the field." RRAD is an ISO
9000 registered industrial complex providing responsive and innovative solutions
for the Department of Defense (DoD) in repair, overhaul, recapitalization, remanufacture,
certification, and conversion of combat systems and tactical vehicles. The depot's
vast industrial complex has the capacity and capability to completely overhaul/remanufacture
a wide range of combat systems and tactical vehicles. The multi-function capability
fully supports the military's ongoing joint transformation. "Since
the first day, our partnership with Red River has been a positive, full team effort.
This pilot program will set the groundwork for all future efforts and is essential
to establishing the long-term framework, processes, people and facilities for
restoring ASVs to combat-ready condition," said Textron Marine & Land
General Manager Tom Walmsley. "Senior Army and Textron Leadership support
for this partnership has been clear since the beginning. This is a win-win for
everyone from taxpayers to soldiers" About
the ASV The ASV is a 4X4 wheeled armored vehicle that offers significant
crew protection through the employment of multiple layers of armor that provides
defense against small arms fire, artillery projectile fragments, and land mines.
This advanced armor is exceedingly lightweight and, along with its dimensions,
allows the vehicle to be able to "roll-on/roll-off" C-130 military transport
aircraft. The ASV possesses superior mobility, agility, handling, and ride quality
through the utilization of a four-wheel independent suspension system. Textron
Marine & Land has equipped the M1117 ASV with a specially designed dual-weapon
station that, unlike many other vehicles, enables the crew to load, reload and
clear gun jams under full armor protection. With minor
modifications and appropriate outfitting, ASV variants can perform a wide variety
of missions including scout, infantry personnel carrier, reconnaissance, command
and recovery. Current missions of the ASV include operations with the Military
Police, convoy protection, and Field Artillery Combat Observation and Lasing Teams
(COLT). Its record of performance, reliability and survivability in the field
is impeccable. More than 800 ASVs have been deployed in the U.S. Army operations
around the globe. Textron Marine & Land has built more than 1,100 vehicles
to date. About Textron Systems Textron Systems
Corporation ("Textron Systems") provides innovative technology solutions
to meet the needs of the global aerospace and defense industries. The company
supports military and homeland security missions with strike weapons, as well
as mobility and surveillance systems, and provides commercial and general aviation
with engines and actuation systems. The Textron name is well known in the areas
of advanced weapons, surveillance systems, aircraft control components, piston
engines, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles. Textron Systems is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Avco Corporation. Avco Corporation is wholly-owned subsidiary of
Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc. Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry
company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company
leverages its global network of aircraft, 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. Media
Contact: David Whitaker 504-254-6397
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