A Textron subsidiary has implemented modifications on C-17 aircraft maintenance training equipment for the U.S. and Australian air forces. TRU Simulation + Training made the C-17 MTS changes as part of a contract from L3 Technologies‘ link simulation and training business, which currently serves as the prime contractor for the C-17 Training System. John Hayward, senior vice president and general manager of TRU’s military […] More

A Textron subsidiary will continue to provide maintenance and training support services for Afghanistan’s Cessna C-208B Caravan aircraft under a potential five-year, $50 million contract from the U.S. Air Force. Textron Systems Support Solutions will train Afghan air force personnel on how to maintain the branch’s C-208Bs designed for military transport and training activities, the company said Tuesday. The follow-on Afghan Trainer Contractor […] More

A joint venture of Textron and AirLand Enterprises has selected BAE Systems to provide head-up displays for an aircraft platform designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. BAE said Monday the initial order of LiteHUD displays will support upcoming flight tests of the Textron AirLand-built Scorpion jet. LiteHUD is designed to facilitate situational awareness for pilots in day and […] More

Textron‘s Bell Helicopter subsidiary has awarded CPI Aerostructures a potential $14.8 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to supply engine cowl and support assemblies for the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter. The contract will run through Dec. 31, 2020, and falls under the U.S. Marine Corps‘ H-1 Program of Records initiative that seeks up to 189 AH-1Z and 160 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters, CPI Aero said Tuesday. Douglas […] More

Textron Systems has kicked off on-water tests for the company-built Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, as part of the U.S. Navy‘s Unmanned Influence Sweep System program. Textron said Wednesday the on-water maneuverability test is part of the program’s system-level integration and test phase that will also involve demonstrations of the CUSV’s integrated generators, engines and […] More

Textron‘s systems advanced information solutions unit has updated a technology platform that works to integrate and manage data from multiple remote platforms such as sensors and information feeds. The company said Tuesday the iCommand 2.5 is designed to help users obtain a single pane view of previously disparate data and attach critical information to raw data necessary for mission planning activities. […] More

Ralph Heath, former executive vice president of aeronautics at Lockheed Martin, has been appointed to Textron‘s board of directors effective January 1, 2017. Textron Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly said in a press release published Thursday that Heath will bring experience in the aerospace and defense industry, government defense programs and international business development. Heath held a […] More

Lockheed Martin has selected Textron’s electronic systems business unit to provide threat simulation systems for electronic warfare tests on the F-35 fighter jet. Lockheed will use Textron’s Advanced Architecture Phase Amplitude and Time Simulator system to develop and confirm aircraft software requirements for the F-35, Textron said Wednesday Textron will manufacture the simulation system at the F-35 […] More

Textron‘s electronic systems business has unveiled its new flight line tester for aircraft survivability sensors such as radar warning receivers and two-color infrared missile, UV missile and laser warning systems. The Integrated Tester for Aircraft Survivability Systems was designed to incorporate the functionality of Textron’s Model 527 RF Radar Signal Simulator and Multi-Spectral Test Set, the company […] More

The U.S. Air Force wants to test four aircraft platforms from Textron, Embraer and Leonardo-Finmeccanica in an effort to augment the service branch’s fleet of A-10 Warthogs, The Witchita Eagle reported Wednesday. Jerry Siebenmark writes the Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation office looks to conduct a 135-day test of Textron’s Scorpion jet and AT-6 Wolverine as […] More

Textron has announced it will offer an Overwatch Imaging-built precision survey sensor technology as part of the Aerosonde small unmanned aircraft system. Overwatch Imaging designed its TK-7 Firewatch multispectrum survey payload with color focal plane array and co-boresighted infrared sensors that Textron will integrate with the UAS’ onboard image processing system to facilitate precision mapping and aerial photography, Textron said Monday. […] More

Maria Zuber, vice president of research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and chair of the National Science Board, has joined the board of directors at Textron. She oversees MIT’s Lincoln laboratory and interdisciplinary research facilities as well as the university’s research partnerships with the federal government, Textron said Thursday. Zuber is also the E. A. Griswold professor of geophysics at MIT […] More