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HUNT VALLEY, Maryland, April 3, 2007 — AAI Corporation has developed and successfully tested technology that enables a single ground control station to operate multiple U.S. and allied unmanned aircraft, achieving an important North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) protocol.
AAI, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation (NYSE: UIC), is a leading designer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned aircraft systems (TUAS).
The protocol, defined in a NATO standardization agreement known as STANAG 4586, was achieved as part of a Joint Unmanned System Common Control (JUSC2) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration. It makes possible joint operations among U.S. and allied unmanned aircraft in future combat scenarios by enabling U.S. and allied forces to share information obtained by their respective unmanned aircraft during military operations.
The architecture developed for the NATO protocol program is based on the U.S. Army’s One System® ground control station, also developed by AAI and currently used to operate the Army’s RQ-7B Shadow® 200 TUAS in Iraq.
“Our STANAG 4586-compliant ground control station can operate any unmanned aircraft that is also in compliance with or using a STANAG 4586 vehicle-specific module (VSM), thereby achieving NATO interoperability,” said Steven E. Reid, vice president of AAI’s unmanned aircraft systems.
"These accomplishments have established AAI as an industry leader for the implementation and practical application of STANAG 4586 for TUAS,” Reid added.
Participating in the development and proof of concept testing with AAI were the U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Weapons Center at Panama City, Fla., and the U.S. Army’s Project Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
In February of this year, AAI flew numerous Shadow 200 unmanned aircraft missions at Redstone Arsenal, using the JUSC2 STANAG 4586 ground control station and vehicle-specific module created for the Shadow 200, thus verifying the protocol-compliant system design. The system design incorporated a complete level 3 and level 4 message set compliant with STANAG 4586.
A second vehicle-specific module has been developed and tested for AAI’s Aerosonde unmanned aircraft. It will be flight tested this spring in joint operations with the Shadow 200 TUAS.
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 (Textron Systems) has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for over 50 years. Known for its precision smart weapons, intelligent battlefield systems, surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, aircraft control components, piston engines, armored vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems, Textron Systems includes AAI, HR Textron, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch Tactical Operations, Overwatch Geospatial Operations, 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 $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions that indicate future events and trends are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to, projections of revenues, earnings, segment performance, cash flows, and contract awards. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the company’s actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. The company makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events, or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement. For additional information about the company and its various risk factors, please see the company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other documents as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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