Textron Systems Awarded $11M Army Contract for Production of the Armored Security Vehicle

    WILMINGTON, Mass.--Jan. 16, 2003--Textron Systems announced today that its Marine and Land Operations based in New Orleans, LA, was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Tank-automotive & Armaments Command, to manufacture the Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) for the U. S. Army. This contract is valued at over $11.4 million and is for the production of 20 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV). The contract includes associated technical support and engineering services. This current buy is slated for the United States Army's Military Police.
    This latest award brings the total number of production vehicles awarded to Textron to 99. All work will be completed in New Orleans and will begin immediately. Initial delivery for these vehicles is expected in the 1st quarter of 2004.
    The ASV is a 4X4 wheeled armored vehicle that offers exceptional crew protection through the employment of multiple layers of armor that provide defense against .50 caliber armor piercing machine gun bullets, 155mm artillery fragments and land mines. This advanced armor is exceedingly light weight and allows the vehicle to be able to "roll-on/roll-off C-130" transport aircraft. The ASV possesses superior mobility, agility, handling, and ride quality through the utilization of a new all-wheel independent suspension. The U. S. Army version is equipped with an improved version of the Cadillac Gage designed 40/50 turret. The turret is armed with an automatic 40mm grenade launcher and a .50 caliber M-2 machine gun.
    The first 30 vehicles that were manufactured by Textron and delivered to the Army have been in service within the 18th MP brigade in Germany. Several Platoons, outfitted with ASVs, were deployed in Kosovo to perform Peacekeeping Operations as part of ongoing initiatives by the U. N. In this capacity, they have performed exceedingly well there, and are also expected to be called into service for use in Afghanistan.
    B. Clay Moise, Vice President of Marine and Combat Vehicles, stated, "Since it was first introduced in 1999, ASV has played an important role by offering US soldiers maximum mobility coupled with superior ballistic protection. All of the employees are honored to build this product for our troops and we value the TACOM/Industry partnership that allows us to outfit the Army's Military Police with this much needed tool."
    Since the introduction of ASV into the United States Army's inventory, Textron Systems has been receiving inquiries from many NATO countries. In response to this demand, TM&LS has performed studies to determine the ASV's suitability for a variety of missions. With minor modifications and appropriate outfitting, ASV possibilities include operation as a scout vehicle, a personnel carrier and an NBC reconnaissance vehicle. In addition, Textron has designs for a stretched version with wider doors to be used as a Medevac unit or for Command and Control. This family of Cadillac Gage brand vehicles can be outfitted with a variety of armament stations, turrets and other equipment.

    About Textron Systems www.systems.textron.com

    Textron Systems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., provides innovative technology solutions to meet the needs of the global aerospace and defense industries. The company supports military precision engagement and dominant maneuver with strike weapons, mobility and surveillance systems. The Textron name is well known in the areas of advanced weapons, surveillance systems, aircraft control components, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles.

    About Textron Inc.

    Textron Inc. is a $12 billion multi-industry company with more than 51,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services in industries such as aircraft, fastening systems, industrial products, industrial components and finance. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.

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