Wilmington, Mass. - January 29, 2007 - Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) announced today it has changed the name of its Wilmington, Massachusetts operating unit to Textron Defense Systems. Other Textron Systems operating units include HR Textron (Santa Clarita, CA), Textron Marine & Land (New Orleans, LA), Lycoming Engines (Williamsport, PA) and Overwatch, Tactical Operations (Austin, Texas) and Overwatch, GeoSpatial Operations (Sterling, VA).

Mark Catizone, general manager and senior vice president, Textron Defense Systems, said, "Our mission hasn't changed. The new name is actually a return to a previous name established in 1985. With the addition of 'defense' to our name, we can better communicate and affirm our vision and mission to our customers, shareholders and employees. Textron Defense Systems has been committed to developing systems such as precision smart weapons, networked sensor and munitions systems, and airborne surveillance systems, that protect and enable our customers to win."

Frank Tempesta, president of Textron Systems, said, "Textron Systems' growth over the past year in conjunction with our move to an operating unit structure to better serve our customers, fueled the need to create a stronger brand name for this business. We are proud of the technologies and products that we've developed including landmark weapon systems that do not leave harmful unexploded ordnance on the battlefield."

For more than 50 years, Textron Defense Systems has served the defense and aerospace industries. Current DoD programs include Future Combat Systems Unattended Ground Sensor systems, Intelligent Munition Systems, Sensor Fuzed Weapon, Cobra Ball and the Joint High Powered Solid State Laser.

Textron Systems Corporation ("Textron Systems") provides innovative technology solutions to meet the needs of the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities. The company is known for its precision smart weapons, surveillance systems, complex intelligence and communications systems, aircraft control systems, piston engines, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles. Textron Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avco Corporation. Avco Corporation is wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.

Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Media Contact: