| New Orleans, LA - January 24, 2008
- Textron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS), an operating unit of Textron
Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been awarded a contract modification
for $228 million to build an additional 329 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV)
by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM).
"With this additional order, our customer has again chosen the ASV
to protect soldiers," said Tom Walmsley, general manager, Textron Marine
& Land Systems. “Our partnership with TACOM has allowed these vehicles
to be delivered with the latest fragmentation protection kits, improving the system
survivability even more.” The ASV has been in continuous
combat for almost 60 months with an organic Operational Readiness Rate consistently
greater than 90 percent. With this award, the total number of ASVs produced
to date for the U.S. Army or remaining to be delivered under contract with the
U.S. Army is now at 2058 vehicles. Production and deliveries of the ASV continue
at the normal production rate of 48 vehicles a month with firm contracts through
May 2009. The ASV is used by the U.S. Army for its Military
Police, convoy protection and Field Artillery Combat Observation and Lasing Teams
(COLT). Its record of performance, reliability and survivability in the field
is excellent. More than 1040 ASVs have been deployed in combat missions in support
of the Global War on Terrorism. Textron Marine & Land Systems has built more
than 1270 vehicles for the U.S. Army as of January 2008.
About
the ASV
The ASV is a 4X4 wheeled armored vehicle that offers significant
crew protection through the employment of multiple layers of armor, providing
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 "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 Systems 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. More information
is available at www.textronmarineandland.com. About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation (Textron Systems) has been providing innovative
solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for over
50 years. Known for its precision smart weapons, intelligent battlefield systems,
surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, aircraft control components,
piston engines, armored vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems, Textron Systems
includes AAI, HR Textron, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch Tactical Operations, Overwatch
Geospatial Operations, Textron Defense Systems, and Textron Marine & Land
Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avco Corporation.
Avco Corporation is a 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 Contacts:
David Whitaker
Textron Marine &
Land Systems
(504) 254-6795
dwhitaker@tmls.textron.com
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