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TEXTRON SYSTEMS AND EDO CORPORATION
ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF TEAM FOR NAVY'S LCS PROGRAM
WILMINGTON, Mass. - April 11, 2003 - Textron
Systems and EDO Corporation announced today the members of their integrated team
for the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Textron Marine & Land of New Orleans,
Louisiana, an operating unit of Textron Systems, and EDO Combat Systems of Chesapeake,
Virginia have assembled a focused and integrated team of industry leaders in fields of
advanced ship design and construction, systems integration and littoral warfare technology.
Dick Millman, president, Textron Systems said, "The Littoral Combat Ship represents
a major step in the U.S. Navy's transformation to most effectively focus naval power
on tomorrow's threats. Only a team that is highly responsive to the Navy's needs, innovative
in achieving its goals and solidly experienced in the many required disciplines, along
with the ability to offer current solutions and enable future improvements will result
in success. The Textron-EDO team brings truly unique littoral-based skills in the several
most important technologies with solid foundations in all aspects of the program."
As the prime contractor and the Team's ship builder, Textron Marine & Land has extensive
experience with air-supported craft such as hovercraft and surface effect ships and will
provide program management, naval architecture and overall technical integration. As
the Team's ship systems integrator, EDO Combat Systems has extensive experience with
integration of leading edge, open architecture, off-the-shelf sensors, weapons and C4I
subsystems. As the current systems integrator for the Norwegian Nordkapp and Svalbard
class Coast Guard cutter programs, EDO has relevant experience with integration of subsystems
for multi-mission ships operating in demanding Norwegian littoral environments.
James M. Smith, president and chief executive officer, EDO Corporation, said, "Like
the Navy's LCS program, this team is structured to provide the Navy with a transformational
approach to ship procurement. This team will integrate best-of-class, sea proven solutions
from defense suppliers worldwide that are ready now to meet the requirements of the Navy's
program. The Navy has put this program on a procurement fast track. They need these ships
now, and we feel this team can be responsive to the requirements and aggressive timeline.
EDO's integrated systems design for the Norwegian programs will provide forward-looking
technologies that are available now."
The Textron-EDO LCS team's solution, which offers the Navy an exceptionally agile and
stable platform with speeds in excess of 55 knots, will meet all of the Navy's LCS requirements
outlined in the Navy's Sea Power 21 strategic plan. This plan requires the ship to be
fast, mission reconfigurable, and armed to operate independently for extended periods
in littoral areas in advance of the main sea-borne force.
The Textron-EDO LCS team includes other Textron Inc. companies, Bell Helicopter Textron
- Fort Worth, Texas and Textron Power Transmission - Houston, Texas as well as other
companies including: VT Halter - Gulfport, Mississippi; Electronic Design (L-3 Communications)
- New Orleans, Louisiana; George G. Sharp - Alexandria, Virginia; AMSEC Rosenblatt -
Washington, D.C.; BBN Technologies - Cambridge, Mass.; Purvis Systems - Middletown, Rhode
Island; Cyberaid - Norwood South, Australia; Maritime Dynamics - Lexington, Park, Maryland;
David M. Bourg - Kenner, Louisiana; Vorus and Associates - New Orleans, Louisiana.
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 areas of
advanced weapons, surveillance systems, aircraft control components, specialty marine
craft and armored vehicles.
About Textron Inc. www.textron.com
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is
an $11 billion multi-industry company with 49,000 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 and
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.
About EDO Corporation www.edocorp.com
EDO Corporation (NYSE:EDO) supplies highly engineered products for governments and industry
worldwide, including advanced electronic, electromechanical and information systems and
engineered materials critical to the mission success of its customers. The Company's
Defense Segment provides integrated front-line war fighting systems, including radar
countermeasure systems, reconnaissance and surveillance systems, aircraft weapons suspension
and release systems, mine countermeasures systems, and integrated combat systems and
sonar systems.
Contact:
William A. Walkowiak, CFA
Director of Investor Relations
(212) 716-2038
ir@edocorp.com
Media Contacts:
| Paige Eaton Textron Marine & Land (504) 254-6795 peaton@tmls.textron.com |
Sergio Diehl EDO Corporation EDO Combat Systems (757) 424-1004 sdiehl@edocombat.com |
Maureen Collins Textron Systems (978) 657-1164 mcollins@systems.textron.com |
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