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New Orleans, LA -
September 15, 2008 - Textron Marine & Land Systems,
an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:
TXT) company, has been awarded $313 million in contract modifications
by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM)
to manufacture 424 additional M1117 Armored Security Vehicles
(ASV) and 10 ASV variants for the M1200 Armored Knight program.
"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 more than five years
with an organic Operational Readiness Rate consistently greater
than 90 percent.
With this award, the total number of ASVs produced or under
contract with the U.S. Army is now 2579 vehicles. Production
and deliveries of the ASV continue at the normal production
rate of 48 vehicles a month with firm contracts through April
2010.
The ASV is a highly mobile 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 M1200 Armored Knight is an ASV variant equipped with
a sensor package used to locate and designate targets for
indirect fire and laser guided weapons. The specially configured
ASV is used by Field Artillery Combat Observation and Lasing
Teams (COLT) to carry out its missions.
“We’re excited to be awarded this contract extension
to manufacture additional ASVs for the M1200 Armored Knight
and provide even more protection and mobility to our soldiers,”
said Tom Walmsley.
ASVs 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. The total
number of ASVs produced or under contract with the U.S. Army
for the Armored Knight Program to date is 199 vehicles.
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 1,600 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, defense and intelligence,
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 | 
