AAI Earns CMMI Level 3 Assessment

AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that several areas within the company have been appraised at Capability Maturity Model^® Integration (CMMI^®) Level 3. Covering systems engineering and project management functions within AAI’s Hunt Valley, Md., Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Test & Training Systems and Advanced Systems organizations, the successful December 2009 assessment was led by Mark Rabideau, a licensed lead assessor and Six Sigma master black belt from Process Enhancement Partners, Inc. CMMI Level 3 appraisal is an explicit requirement in many U.S. military development solicitations.

The CMMI model was developed by the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a federally funded research and development center funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. Within SEI’s internationally recognized CMMI, Level 3 is titled "Defined,” which means that processes are proactive and tailored for the organization. Level 3 organizations, such as AAI, can configure and deploy processes to meet the unique circumstances of each development effort, then share best practices and data across the organization for continuous improvement.

AAI previously secured and maintains a CMMI Level 5 assessment for its systems software function. CMMI Level 5 is titled "Optimizing,” and is an indication that the organization is focused on data-driven process improvement.

"At AAI, we have a culture of continuous improvement, grounded in the fact that the smarter and more efficiently we work, the faster we can make our products and services available to the troops that need them,” says AAI’s Senior Vice President and General Manager Ellen Lord. "AAI’s achievement of CMMI Level 3 in program management and systems engineering, along with reassessment of the software function at Level 5, highlight our ability to be both agile and competent in the application of engineering and management to develop and integrate systems.”

About AAI

AAI Corporation and its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries Aerosonde Pty Ltd and ESL Defence Limited design, produce and support industry-leading aerospace and defense products and services, including unmanned aircraft and ground control technologies; high-fidelity training and simulation systems; automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment; armament systems; and logistical, engineering, supply chain and operational support services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.

About Textron Systems

Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. 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 Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

AAI and design is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.

Capability Maturity Model and CMMI are registered service marks of Carnegie Mellon University.