Celebrating a legacy of aviation innovation: National Aviation Day
As we celebrate National Aviation Day, we honor the incredible journey of aviation — a journey marked by innovation, determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence. At Textron Systems, our journey is deeply ingrained in our history and it continues to inspire our vision for the future.
We have been a leader in aviation innovation for decades. Our history is one of groundbreaking developments and technological advancements that have shaped the aerospace and defense industries. From our pioneering work in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) at Textron Systems, to our advanced training solutions at ATAC (Airborne Tactical Advantage Company), to the nation’s earliest airlines being powered by Lycoming, we have consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in aviation.
Textron Systems
Our commitment to innovation is reflected in our continued development of next-generation UAS. We’ve played a pivotal role in the evolution of uncrewed aviation since the 1980’s, when the Pioneer ® UAS was delivered and deployed for the first time on the battleship USS Iowa (BB 61). Pioneer was one of the first tactical drones used by the U.S. military and set the stage for future advancements in aerial reconnaissance; one of those advancements being the Shadow® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS).
Shadow was built upon the proven Pioneer system and served as a vital asset for the U.S. army for more than two decades, providing valuable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities on the battlefield. From 1999-2024, Shadow provided impactful service for military operations and built a legacy with the U.S. Army’s Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), Combat Aviation Brigades, Special Forces Groups and the National Guard. With more than 1.3 million flight hours and 300,000+ sorties, Shadow successfully provided coverage to our Soldiers and allies, saved countless lives and made significant contributions to the UAS industry.
Today, we continue pushing past possible to advance the capabilities of UAS technology, exploring new ways to enhance the performance and reliability of our systems. We are one of two companies selected by the U.S. Army for the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS) Option 3 and Option 4 award earlier this year, and are honored to have this opportunity to work toward the future of UAS. Our Aerosonde® UAS family of products has proven to be a game-changer for land- and sea-based operations. With a demonstrated history of success, and more than 650,000 total flight hours, Aerosonde is equipped to meet a variety of mission requirements in a single sortie, providing our Soldiers with the support needed to achieve their ISR missions safely.
Lycoming
Lycoming has a rich history, dating back to the early days of powered flight — specifically 1929, when we developed our first aircraft engine, the R-680. As a leading manufacturer of aircraft piston engines, we’ve powered countless aircraft over the years, from small general aviation planes to military trainers. We’ve always made it our mission to build every engine as if we will fly it ourselves, which is why our engines are known across the globe for their reliability and performance.
Our commitment to quality and innovation has been a driving force behind our success. Over the years, we have introduced a range of engines, including the Thunderbolt and iE2 engines, setting new standards in the industry.
In 1967, we developed an aerobatic piston engine which would become the first and only engine of its kind to be FAA-certified. Our Thunderbolt™ engine was introduced in 2006 and today, the Thunderbolt engine line produces some of general aviation's most reliable aerobatic and performance engines. In 2007, we announced our iE2® engine, the flagship of our innovation, which combines the reliability our customers expect from us with state-of-the-art aviation technologies. The iE2 received FAA certification in 2018. Apart from our engines, we also we offer the Lycoming Electronic Ignition System, along with genuine Lycoming pistons, tappets, crankshafts, and cylinder kits to ensure our customers can continue to maintain their engines with genuine Lycoming parts.
ATAC
Out of our entire portfolio, ATAC holds a unique and vital role in the aviation industry. As a global leader of tactical airborne training services, ATAC has been a trusted partner to the U.S. military for nearly 25 years.
Team ATAC is comprised of many seasoned tactical aviators with a passion for flying, a maintenance team with more than 50 FAA A&P and IA certified mechanics and an incredibly dedicated professional staff — without whom, we could not continue our mission. A combination of experience, professionalism and quality equipment is what allows us to continue training today’s warriors for tomorrow’s challenges.
ATAC’s commitment to excellence in training has made us an essential part of the U.S. military’s training programs. Our pilots come from a range of advanced professional backgrounds and are highly respected in their field. They take great pride in sharing their skills and expertise to ensure the safety of today’s warfighters as they take flight.
Our team takes great pride in the mission-capable status of our aircraft, allowing us to enjoy a mission success rate that exceeds 95%. For the past 11 years, ATAC has been awarded the FAA William (Bill) O’Brien Diamond Safety Award for overall maintenance excellence. This award speaks volumes to the work our mechanics do to maintain the quality and safety of our expansive fleet of ex-military aircraft (Mirage F1, L-39 Albatros, F-21 KFIR, MK-58 Hawker Hunter).
We continue to expand our capabilities and invest in our fleet to reflect the evolving demands of the aviation industry. Our commitment to excellence will continue to drive us as we prepare the next generation of military pilots for the challenges of tomorrow.
Celebrating a history of innovation and excellence
Today, we reflect on our achievements of the past and look forward to the exciting possibilities of the future. At Textron Systems, Lycoming Engines and ATAC, we are proud to be part of the aviation legacy and we are committed to continuing our history of innovation and excellence.
Happy National Aviation Day!
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