Textron Marine & Land Systems Introduces Two New Vehicles to its COMMANDO(TM) Family of Vehicles

IDEX 2013 – ABU DHABI – FEBRUARY 17, 2013 — Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today introduced the addition of two vehicles to its COMMANDO(TM) family of vehicles at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2013). The new COMMANDO Select Mortar Vehicle and COMMANDO Utility Baserunner are being shown in Booth 03-B30 during IDEX 2013.

Designed to meet growing requirements of international combat units for a more operationally flexible and adaptable under-armor indirect fire capability, the new COMMANDO Select Mortar Vehicle is capable of firing up to 120mm mortars from a common mount, and stowing up to 82 rounds of high explosive, illumination and smoke rounds. The vehicle is expandable to other fire control systems. The Mortar Vehicle mount also can fire at an azimuth of up to a 360-degrees and a firing elevation of 45 to 85 degrees. 

Three other COMMANDO Select variants are currently being produced and fielded for the Afghanistan National Army. Like all vehicles in this line, the Mortar Vehicle exceeds MRAP levels of crew protection and takes advantage of the proven mobility and survivability of TM&LS’ COMMANDO family of armored vehicles. COMMANDO Select vehicles are easy to operate and maintain, with readily available parts, training and service support.

TM&LS’ new Baserunner 4x4 selectable gas/electric hybrid COMMANDO Utility vehicle is built to facilitate missions in forward and rear echelon operational environments. These vehicles perform demanding tasks with ease, allowing users to efficiently and safely complete tasks. In gas mode the Baserunner powers through rough terrain and adverse conditions while electric mode provides quiet vehicle operation.

The COMMANDO Utility vehicle line also includes the Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle(TM) (SCTV) System, an MRAP-style fully armored monocoque v-hull crew capsule designed to replace the crew compartment of the HMMWV in a one-for-one exchange. The SCTV is offered by Granite Tactical Vehicles Inc. and Textron Marine & Land Systems.

“These vehicles offer current and potential customers the new capabilities they seek,” said Tom Walmsley, TM&LS senior vice president and general manager. “A number of international militaries have expressed a need for a Mortar vehicle that combines indirect fire capabilities with outstanding mobility and protection, while others have expressed a desire for a robust and flexible utility vehicle to support military base operations. We’re pleased to bring both to market while expanding the range of our COMMANDO vehicle lines.”

Rigorously tested and proven in the toughest environments, the COMMANDO family of vehicles offers a range of protection up to and exceeding MRAP level, unmatched on-road/off-road mobility and ample firepower. TM&LS produces four lines of COMMANDO four-wheeled vehicles – COMMANDO Utility, COMMANDO Advanced, COMMANDO Select and COMMANDO Elite.

As an end-to-end armored vehicle provider, TM&LS also offers its customers COMMANDO fielding, training, maintenance and logistics support throughout each vehicle’s life cycle.

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 COMMANDO family of armored vehicles offers a full range of vehicle options delivering enhanced survivability, mobility, lethality and sustainability. 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 Providence, R.I., 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.   

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to military operations in foreign countries; changes in worldwide economic or political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates or foreign exchange rates; our ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget constraints and determinations, or changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of military and commercial products; and performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors or business partners.

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