MillenWorks’ New, Rapidly Deployable Battery Management System Optimizes Battery Performance

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Scalable Solution Ideal for Electric Vehicles and Grid Storage

SAN DIEGO – February 21, 2012 — MillenWorks, a strategic business of Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today introduced its new Battery Management System (BMS) at the SAE 2012 Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium in San Diego. Able to accommodate various Lithium Ion battery chemistries, MillenWorks’ BMS can be rapidly deployed to meet customers’ specific high voltage energy storage system requirements at the prototype level.

MillenWorks is exhibiting its BMS capabilities at Booth 50 in the Town and Country Resort & Conference Center during the two-day SAE symposium, attended by automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and energy storage providers.

Ideal for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or grid storage systems, the MillenWorks BMS monitors the performance of cells within a battery to achieve optimum performance and life while safely managing and operating the system. This is accomplished by actively integrating multiple data points, including cell voltages, temperature and current, into advanced algorithms that are tailored to cell chemistry and application.        

“This system utilizes our decades of systems integration experience in extreme off-road environments to provide a BMS integrated with a robust hardware platform required by today’s emerging, mid-size and large vehicle OEMs and battery cell manufacturers,” said MillenWorks Director of Commercial OEM Michael Reagan. “As more customers in the United States and internationally pursue integrating electric drive powertrains in their vehicles, MillenWorks is equipped to deliver optimal, scalable solutions for their energy storage needs.”

MillenWorks’ BMS also is highly customizable to the various profiles of customer cells. The flexible architecture utilizes a master/slave topography that accommodates up to 192 series cells offering a scalable solution for low voltage packs through systems operating in the 700 volt range. The system offers real-time monitoring of key battery parameters such as state of charge, state of health and state of life.

MillenWorks has developed multiple electric drivetrain and energy storage systems for commercial OEMs and defense customers during more than 30 years in business. The company is adept at implementing battery management systems for customers using a myriad of chemistries including lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and various lithium ion chemistries.

Media Contact:                                                                    

Sharon Corona

Textron Systems Corporation                                              

(410) 628-3184                                                       

scorona@systems.textron.com

About MillenWorks

MillenWorks is a strategic business of Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems. Founded by international racing legend Rod Millen, MillenWorks is an engineering development and manufacturing company that tackles the most difficult challenges of advanced powertrain, suspension and energy storage for customers in the transportation, defense, motorsports and theme park industries. MillenWorks' technology portfolio includes more than 30 years of development in a wide range of on-road and off-road vehicles, hybrid electric drive systems, electronic controls, and semi-active suspension systems. More information is available at www.millenworks.com

About Textron Marine & Land Systems

Textron Marine & Land Systems designs, produces and supports advanced wheeled combat vehicles and cutting-edge maritime craft used by U.S. and international armed forces, as well as civilian entities around the globe. Its family of Armored Security Vehicles offers enhanced survivability and highly mobile combat security vehicles with unmatched capabilities. Textron Marine & Land Systems’ innovative turret technology and related subsystems also deliver outstanding performance and reliability. Its strategic business, MillenWorks, operates an Engineering Center of Excellence with a reputation as a highly sought-after solution center, which designs and develops advanced mobility solutions for demanding on- and off-road applications. Textron Marine & Land Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textronmarineandland.com.

About Textron Systems

Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., the company is 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 and operational services. Textron Systems includes AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Advanced Systems, Aerosonde, ESL Defence, Lycoming Engines, Medical Numerics, MillenWorks, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. 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.   

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