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Orleans, LA - March 19, 2008 - Textron Marine & Land, an operating
unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been awarded
a $58 million contract modification by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments
Command (TACOM) to manufacture 82 additional Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) variants
for the M1200 Armored Knight. The M1200 Armored Knight is an ASV
variant equipped with a sensor package that is used to locate and designate targets
for indirect fire and laser guided weapons. The Armored Knight is the only system
in production with target accuracy equivalent to the delivery accuracies of today's
precision-guided munitions, such as JDAM and Excalibur. The specially configured
ASV is used by Field Artillery Combat Observation and Lasing Teams (COLT) to carry
out its missions. Tom Walmsley, general manager, Textron Marine & Land
said, "We're excited to be awarded this contract to manufacture additional
ASVs for the M1200 Armored Knight and provide even more protection to our soldiers.
This additional variant of the ASV truly shows the versatility of this product.
We're proud of the field record of the Armored Knight variant, and the ASV." The
ASV is a light, agile wheeled combat vehicle with 360 degree armor protection
against small arms fire that can withstand anti-tank land mines under any wheel
and artillery burst fragments overhead. The ASV vehicle will be provided
to DRS Technologies, the prime contractor for the Armored Knight responsible for
the integration of the sensor and Mission Equipment Package. The total requirement
for the program has been listed at 531 vehicles. In 2007, 19 vehicles were delivered
to the customer and it is currently anticipated that 83 will be delivered in 2008
with the remainder to follow in 2009 and beyond.
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, and 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 1000 ASVs have been deployed in the U.S. Army operations around the
globe. Textron Marine & Land has built more than 1,300 vehicles to date. About
Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation 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 Geospatial Operations, Overwatch
Tactical Operations, 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 www.textronsystems.com. About
Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company
operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 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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