AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems Wins USSOCOM MEUAS II Award Valued at Nearly $600 Million

April 11, 2012
The three-year award, valued at just under $600 million, includes support operations using AAI's Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS).

HUNT VALLEY, Md., April 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that it has won the competitive Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MEUAS) II award from the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The three-year award, valued at just under $600 million, includes support operations using AAI's Aerosonde(R) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS). Total initial funding for these activities is $20 million.

"The team is galvanized and working closely with our new USSOCOM customer on this critical new activity," says Senior Vice President and General Manager Steven Reid of AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "Our hallmark is a full-service orientation -- understanding the mission, equipment, logistics and other factors behind customer requirements in order to create and execute a total solution. Such is our goal for the MEUAS II program."

The Aerosonde SUAS is a high-performance system that incorporates a heavy-fuel engine for superior endurance. The Aerosonde aircraft's single electro-optic/infrared payload delivers day-and-night, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, while its large payload size, weight and power can accommodate another payload of choice for multi-mission flexibility. It utilizes AAI's one-piece Launch and Recovery Trailer and the Expeditionary Ground Control Station for expeditionary land- and sea-based operations.

"Features like payload flexibility and efficient, expeditionary operations are important when considering the special operations mission," says Vice President, SUAS Stephen Flach of AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "Our team focused on those unique requirements to ensure that the Aerosonde system can provide the required performance regardless of operational and environmental constraints."

Fellow Textron Systems operating unit AAI Logistics & Technical Services will provide worldwide operations and maintenance support for the MEUAS II program. The company's experienced UAS operators and field service representatives have been deployed successfully around the globe in support of customer requirements.

"There is no better way to understand the mission than working alongside the customer in the field, and we take great pride in those relationships," says Senior Vice President and General Manager Diane Giuliani of AAI Logistics & Technical Services. "Our operators and maintainers stand ready to employ their expertise on behalf of our new USSOCOM customer."

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.