Textron Systems’ Awarded $116.5 Million Contract for Advanced U.S. Army RQ-7B V2 Shadow® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Upgrades
System Nears One Million Hours While Adding New Mission Capabilities
ATLANTA — APRIL 28, 2016 — ARMY AVIATION MISSION SOLUTIONS SUMMIT — Textron Systems Unmanned Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) business, announced today that it has received a $116.5 million award from the U.S. Army for an additional 24 RQ-7B V2 Shadow® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) upgrades. Deliveries of the 24 systems are expected to begin in 2018.
The U.S. Department of Defense inventory includes 117 Shadow systems, operated by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Special Operations Command. This contract furthers the U.S. Army’s Shadow V2 block upgrade program, under which Textron Systems acts as lead system integrator, and aircraft and ground control station original equipment manufacturer.
With nearly one million flight hours, the Shadow V2 delivers proven performance for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, communications relay and laser designation. The Shadow V2 is an all-digital, modern system, optimized for new multi-mission, single-sortie profiles and manned-unmanned teaming. The Shadow V2 also includes a high-bandwidth, encrypted data link that enables the aircraft to carry payloads ranging from high-definition video to secure control for prosecution missions. The Army is currently teaming the Shadow V2 system with its Apache helicopter fleet for scouting missions within its combat aviation brigades. The Shadow TUAS also is utilized by militaries in Australia, Italy and Sweden.
“The Shadow TUAS has been the workhorse for the U.S. Department of Defense for years and has nearly one million flight hours — the most for any system in its class,” says Vice President, TUAS Henry Finneral. “Our Shadow V2 increases the system’s reliability and endurance for various missions, including enhanced target designation, communications relay and battlefield damage assessment. The system delivers performance our customers trust.”
In addition to systems integration and engineering support, Textron Systems partners with the Department of Defense to support the Shadow program with staff augmentation, training, logistics and field service.
Textron Systems will exhibit at the 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit from Apr. 28-30 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Booth #919.
Media Contact:
Morgan Stritzinger
Textron Systems
(978) 657-2020
PublicRelations@textronsystems.com
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems’ businesses develop and integrate products, services and support for aerospace and defense customers, as well as civil and commercial customers including those in law enforcement, security, border patrol and critical infrastructure protection around the globe. Harnessing agility and a broad base of expertise, Textron Systems’ innovative businesses design, manufacture, field and support comprehensive solutions that expand customer capabilities and deliver value. Textron Systems consists of its Advanced Information Solutions, Electronic Systems, Geospatial Solutions, Lycoming Engines, Marine & Land Systems, Support Solutions, TRU Simulation + Training, Unmanned Systems and Weapon & Sensor Systems businesses. 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, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. 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 perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; the U.S. Government’s ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with us for the U.S. Government’s convenience or for our failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, or, under certain circumstances, to withhold payment or suspend or debar us as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards.
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