AAI Test & Training, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (TXT) company, announced today that the company has received a contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation to provide several factory line test systems for its multiple satellite production lines.

Orbital’s systems will be based on AAI Test & Training’s standard, configurable WaveCore(TM) Satellite Panel/Payload Test Set (PTS). Incorporating commercial, off-the-shelf components, the WaveCore PTS will be customized for the specific needs of Orbital’s satellite production lines. The testers will be used to test sections of multiple satellites as they are built, as well as the fully assembled satellites in both ambient and thermal testing conditions.

“Satellite testing demands accuracy and repeatability to verify correct operation of electronic and communication systems,” says Senior Vice President and General Manager Robert Peters of AAI Test & Training. “Our WaveCore PTS is a highly capable, maintainable and flexible turnkey system unto itself, and can be customized easily and affordably for customer-specific requirements as we’ll do for Orbital’s satellite production lines. When investing in capital equipment for production testing, the customer requires nothing less than the precise, repeatable, reliable results our WaveCore PTS provides.”

Delivery of the first system is expected to take place in late 2012.

Media Contact:
Betania Magalhaes
Textron Systems Corporation
(410) 628-5601
bcmagalhaes@systems.textron.com

About AAI Test & Training

AAI Test & Training has decades of experience designing and manufacturing innovative, high-technology test equipment for the lab, training range, depot, flight line, factory and more — delivering the most reliable, top-performing solutions with superb customer care. In addition, AAI provides high-fidelity training devices and solutions, as well as training needs and systems requirements analysis. Its U.K.-based strategic business, ESL Defence Limited, provides electronic warfare test and training solutions. AAI Test & Training is an operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.

About Textron Systems

Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., the company is 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 and operational services. Textron Systems includes AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Advanced Systems, Aerosonde, ESL Defence, Lycoming Engines, Medical Numerics, MillenWorks, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. 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.