Press Releases

October 2, 2023

Team RIPSAW® Leverages M3 Vehicle’s Robotic Core and Configurable Payload Capability Hunt Valley, Md., OCTOBER 2, 2023 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that Team RIPSAW – Textron Systems, Howe & Howe and Teledyne FLIR Defense has been down selected to participate in the U.S. Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Phase I: Platform Prototype program, an anticipated Army Program of Record (PoR). Team RIPSAW submitted a response to this competitive prototype project solicitation, which was released to members of the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC).  Under Phase 1, the company will deliver two RIPSAW® M3 prototype vehicles in 2024. Upon delivery, the U.S. Army will begin comprehensive testing against published system requirements related to mobility, sensor performance, remote vehicle control and overall systems reliability. In parallel to building and delivering vehicles, Team RIPSAW will complete the preliminary design

August 9, 2023

Hunt Valley, Maryland, AUGUST 9, 2023 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that it has been awarded an initial contract valued at up to $19.5 million by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to provide UAS operational support to two Independence Class LCS and one Freedom Class LCS variants. This award joins the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB)-4 and ESB-5, as well as two DDG- class ships, bringing the total number of U.S. Navy ships supported by the Aerosonde® UAS system to seven. 

July 26, 2023

U.S. Army Program’s Detailed Design and Prototype Build & Test Phases Leverage Textron Systems’ Slidell, Louisiana Vehicle Production Capabilities

June 1, 2023

TEXTRON SYSTEMS AND ANDURIL INDUSTRIES DEMONSTRATE INTEROPERABILITY OF AEROSONDE® UAS AND LATTICE FOR MISSION AUTONOMY SOFTWARE Hunt Valley, Maryland and Irvine, California, JUNE 1, 2023 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, and Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, completed a successful demonstration of a Textron Systems Aerosonde® Hybrid Quad (HQ) UAS operated with multiple payloads onboard to simulate and geolocate threat emitters. During the demonstration, an operator conducted missions using Anduril’s Lattice for Mission Autonomy to command and control multiple first and third-party UAS with mixed sensor payloads and capabilities including one Textron Systems’ Aerosonde HQ UAS and three variants of from Anduril’s ALTIUS-600 Launched Effects family loitering munitions to demonstrate an autonomous Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD) mission in support of an Army Aviation Air Assault mission. Textron Systems and Anduril

March 7, 2023

Advances Integration of UAS into National Airspace System BLACKSTONE, Va., March 7, 2023 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today it has been issued a special airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct civil unmanned aircraft operations at its Unmanned Systems Service and Support Center located in Blackstone, Virginia, adjacent to the Allen C. Perkinson Blackstone Army Airfield (KBKT).  The company received the special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category, abbreviated SAC-EC. The rarely granted authority allows Textron Systems to operate its Aerosonde® MK 4.7G unmanned aircraft system (UAS) within the National Airspace System (NAS) as part of initial and recurring proficiency training missions and research and development (R&D) operations. The SAC-EC represents increased flexibility and convenience for the company’s customers, as well as cost savings that result from the

March 2, 2023

HUNT VALLEY, MD/March 2, 2023 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced that it has been notified of a successful down select in the competition for the U.S. Army’s Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Increment-2 Program. The company is offering its Aerosonde® Hybrid Quad (HQ) in support of the FTUAS program.

March 1, 2023

Newport News, VA — March 1, 2023 — Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), part of the Textron Systems segment of Textron Inc (NYSE:TXT), announced today that it has been awarded the 2022 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) William “Bill” O’Brien Diamond Award of Excellence. The award recognizes exemplary dedication to the advancement of
aviation safety and a commitment to continuous training within the company. “This award is a testament to our culture of professionalism and the caliber of ATAC’s maintenance team,” said Scott Stacy, Senior Vice President and General Manager “It’s a tremendous privilege to lead ATAC, a company recognized for the excellence of its aviation maintenance technicians and leaders.” The award marks the tenth consecutive year that ATAC has been a recipient of the FAA’s William “Bill” O’Brien Diamond Award of Excellence. Fostering a culture of continual learning and technical excellence is second nature to ATAC’s seasoned corps of maintenance

February 21, 2023

 Brings Increased Capabilities and Organic Aviation Support HUNT VALLEY, Md., Feb. 21, 2023 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the U.S. Army exercised an option valued at up to $76.1 million to provide continued contractor logistics support; field service; maintenance including hardware, spares and repairs; and engineering support for existing Shadow® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS). Also scheduled are upgrades of Shadow systems to the significantly improved Block III configuration. The work, to be completed at Textron Systems’ Hunt Valley facility, is scheduled to begin immediately and cover continued support through 2023. The award is for option year two in a five-year contract awarded December 31, 2020, to modernize the current Shadow RQ-7B Block I and II and lead product support and sustainment activities for the fleet. The Shadow Block III system gives soldiers and commanders increased situational awareness, improved

February 1, 2023

HUNT VALLEY, MD, Feb. 1, 2023 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that the Aerosonde® Unmanned Aircraft System aboard the USS Miguel Keith, designated ESB 5, took its first operational flight. The inaugural mission follows an October 2022 contract award by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to provide unmanned aviation support aboard the ship for up to five years. The ESB 5 supports a broad range of military and aviation operations as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force. Textron Systems is tasked to deploy its Aerosonde UAS to provide extended range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services with enhanced mission payloads aboard the ESB 5. The company’s Field Service Representatives (FSR) will work alongside the sailors onboard to provide support for a variety of maritime missions. “Having an unmanned aircraft system operational aboard the ship acting as a remote sensor contributes to overall maritime

December 8, 2022

HUNT VALLEY, MD/08 Dec 2022 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the delivery of Cottonmouth, a vehicle purpose-built for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program. The hand-off of the prototype vehicle occurred 01 Dec 2022 at the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) in Silver Springs, NV. Created to serve as a Naval Sensor Node supporting expeditionary operations, the Cottonmouth vehicle provides lightweight multi-modal capability for the Marines, consistent with the service’s Force Design 2030 vision. A multi-domain command and control suite integrated into the vehicle as part of the C4UAS Mission Role Variant allows it to coordinate data and serve as the quarterback, or battlefield manager, for the modern battlefield. The amphibious 6x6 platform is equipped for sustained reconnaissance with organic unmanned systems capabilities and multi-spectrum sensors which provide seamless communication between the U.S.