AAI to Demo Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS During Bahrain Airshow

• Flights to Highlight System Endurance and Launch/Recovery Flexibility

(Hunt Valley, Md., Jan 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it will conduct a flying display of its Aerosonde Mark 4.7 small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) at the Bahrain International Airshow scheduled for January 21-23 at the Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain. This will be the first public flight in the region of the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 system, AAI's submission for the joint U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS)/Tier II competition.

"We are delighted to be able to fly our Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS at such an important international event," says Middle East Unmanned Aircraft Systems Marketing Director James Masey of AAI. "Bahrain International Airshow attendees will have the opportunity to witness the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 aircraft's automated launch and recovery operations, as well as view a live, full-motion video feed from the aircraft's payload."

AAI's Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS is a lightweight, expeditionary system that can be transported easily in a single C-130 Hercules(R) aircraft and quickly, simply deployed in theater.

"Our Aerosonde fleet offers superior endurance and a low acoustic profile for reliable performance of multiple mission profiles," explains Stephen Flach, AAI's division vice president of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "In addition, the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS is cost effective, has a small footprint, and is flexible enough for launch and recovery from shipboard or small clearings."

The Aerosonde Mark 4.7 system also incorporates AAI's unique Launch and Recovery Trailer, comprised of an AAI-proprietary Sliding Frame Launcher and hydraulically actuated Soft Hands(TM) Net Recovery System. The Launch and Recovery Trailer enables easy, automatic aircraft launch and recovery, minimizes risk of aircraft damage during recovery, and streamlines shipboard operations.

The Bahrain International Airshow display is the latest in several recent Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS flights conducted by AAI. Among these was a multi-day exercise aboard the 88-foot (27-meter) M-80 Stiletto, highlighting the system's easy-to-use, automated shipboard launch and recovery capability.

Source : Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT)