WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2009-- Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its Adaptable Radiation Area Monitor, or ARAM, has been honored with a Government Security News Homeland Security Award in the Best Nuclear/Radiation Detection category.

Designed, developed, tested and serviced at the company’s Goleta, Calif., location, ARAM is a spectroscopic monitoring system that detects and identifies nuclear and radioactive material. In fact, its gamma and neutron sensors can identify multiple radioactive isotopes simultaneously. Existing and future variants using ARAM’s core technology have received the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act designation based on government testing against criteria for safety, availability, utility, effectiveness, performance and conformance to specifications.

Deployed variants of ARAM include the RadPort fixed portal that persistently monitors key interstate and international transportation crossings; Portable Radiation Detection and Identification System, or PRDIS, a lightweight, battery-powered backpack; and the RadTruck mobile variant for continuous monitoring on the move. A pedestrian and baggage screening portal is in development. ARAM incorporates an easy-to-use, Microsoft Windows^®-based architecture with simple user interfaces that require minimal user training.

Textron Defense Systems keeps ARAM in the field and fully operational with dynamic calibration, a feature that maintains constant system calibration without user intervention. Spares provisioning, service contracts and support also maximize system availability.

“We have designed ARAM to meet the challenges faced by our law enforcement and homeland security authorities,” says Senior Vice President and General Manager Mark Catizone of Textron Defense Systems. “Flexible, scalable architecture enables the same system to be deployed quickly at land border crossings and ports, aboard small marine vessels, as well as on international flights — anywhere the need for real-time, persistent detection exists.”

About Textron Defense Systems

Textron Defense Systems employs advanced technology and industry expertise to develop and manufacture state-of-the-art smart weapons; airborne and ground-based sensors and surveillance systems; and protection systems for the defense, aerospace and homeland security communities. Its innovative systems for the military provide precision effects, actionable intelligence and force protection. More information is available at www.textrondefense.com.

About Textron Systems

Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. 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 services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch, 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 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.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Source: Textron Inc.

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