AAI and Aeronautics Defense Systems Team to Provide Orbiter UAV

(Hunt Valley, MD., and Yavne, Israel, September 29, 2008) -- AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the company has entered into a teaming agreement with Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd. of Israel to market the Orbiter Mini-UAV (unmanned air vehicle) system jointly to U.S. and select international customers.

Under the terms of this teaming agreement, AAI will lead marketing activities for the Orbiter Mini-UAV (MUAV) system in the U.S., including foreign military sales to Israel, and in other countries to be mutually agreed in the future. AAI also will manufacture the Orbiter system at its Hunt Valley, Md., headquarters for select programs.

The Orbiter MUAV is less than 40 inches in length and designed for the rigors of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. With an operational endurance of up to three hours, the Orbiter MUAV can fly as high as 18,000 feet. Its light composite construction and battery-powered operation allow easy portability to ensure a team of two fielded warfighters can quickly deploy, launch and operate the aircraft.

The Orbiter MUAV system is a leading competitor for the Israel Defense Forces Land Forces Command acquisition program that recently was launched, already having been selected and operationally deployed by a number of other countries including Poland and Ireland.

"This teaming agreement enables AAI and Aeronautics Defense Systems to leverage its collective strengths in the unmanned aircraft domain," explains AAI Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steve Reid. "The Orbiter MUAV system is well respected for its robust capabilities in such a compact size; and AAI has proven expertise in designing, manufacturing and supporting both tactical and small unmanned aircraft and ground control technologies. Together, we can bring this product to new customers who will gain powerful mission capabilities."

Source : Textron Inc.

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