HUNT VALLEY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 2009-- AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its Victoria, Australia-based strategic business, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, has participated in a series of demonstrations by Australia’s Defense Science and Technology Organization (DSTO) aimed at investigating the capabilities of unmanned aircraft when integrated with electronic warfare (EW) systems.

The 15-day DSTO “Demonstration of Distributed EW Concepts” trial, which took place at the Woomera Test Facility in southern Australia, incorporated the Aerosonde small unmanned aircraft system. The Aerosonde aircraft completed more than 40 flights equipped with an EW payload, accumulating more than 200 flight hours in this configuration. Aerosonde’s experienced staff also served as the flight crew during the test series.

Real and simulated unmanned aircraft interacted with several sensor systems during the demonstrations and completed tasks including geolocation and tracking of EW targets using their integrated EW payloads.

“As unmanned aircraft grow in capability and maturity, the range of missions they can handle also grows,” says Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. “Small systems such as our Aerosonde unmanned aircraft deliver powerful benefits including long endurance and multi-mission capability. We will continue to see the mission profile of these aircraft expand, and we will stay ahead of these requirements to deliver customers the unmanned aircraft capabilities they need.”

About AAI

AAI Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense systems through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, ESL Defence Limited, and Symtx, Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, and logistical, engineering, and supply chain services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.aaicorp.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.

AAI is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.

Aerosonde is a registered trademark of Aerosonde Pty Ltd.

Source: Textron

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