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Textron Defense Systems’ TRAPSNet Excels During DARPA Testing

Dépèche transmise le 18 juillet 2011 par Business Wire

Textron Defense Systems’ TRAPSNet Excels During DARPA Testing

WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its TRAPSNet countermeasure, an enhancement of the company’s Tactical Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) Airbag Protection System (TRAPS) has successfully completed a two-week test event sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Held at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center in Socorro, N.M., TRAPSNet excelled during the rigorous testing including dozens of RPG shots at various angles and ranges.

“The effectiveness and maturity of our TRAPS system was successfully demonstrated at last year’s Live-Fire Test and Evaluation event by the Office of the Secretary of Defense”

TRAPSNet is a passive countermeasure that can be integrated with TRAPS onto any ground vehicle, wheeled or tracked. TRAPS incorporates Textron Defense Systems’ sensors, which are configured to identify incoming objects fitting the profile of an RPG warhead. Once the sensors confirm an RPG threat, the countermeasure deploys a net, originally developed by AmSafe, integrated into a standard airbag to defeat the RPG while preventing vehicle penetration.

“Our TRAPS system is flexible and modular,” explains Textron Defense Systems Vice President of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Protection Systems Tom McNamara. “It can be configured for front, rear or flank protection, as well as for 360-degree vehicle protection. The introduction of a passive countermeasure virtually eliminates collateral effects and paves the way for rapid fielding of an active protection system.”

The modular TRAPS architecture allows the TRAPSNet countermeasure to be swapped within minutes for various energetic countermeasures, as needed to satisfy different operational and threat needs. The system hardware, software and controller all remain the same for a low total cost of ownership and more effective, customized vehicle protection.

The TRAPSNet countermeasure is multi-hit capable and does not significantly increase the width of the vehicle in its installed configuration. Moreover, it is only deployed once an RPG threat has been detected and verified by system sensors, improving visibility for the driver and passengers.

“The effectiveness and maturity of our TRAPS system was successfully demonstrated at last year’s Live-Fire Test and Evaluation event by the Office of the Secretary of Defense,” says McNamara. “This most recent DARPA testing has established that TRAPS is easily adaptable to different user needs. The TRAPSNet countermeasure provides a simple and highly effective RPG defeat solution. With easy integration onto any ground vehicle and field retrofit capability, we’ve created an accelerated path to the field that’s critical for today’s fight, while our modular architecture makes the system flexible for future protection needs.”

About Textron Defense Systems

Textron Defense Systems employs advanced technology and industry-leading expertise to develop and manufacture innovative product solutions including air-and ground-based smart weapons; directed energy weapons; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, systems; and vehicle protection systems. Its distinctive solutions for U.S. and allied militaries, aerospace and homeland security communities provide precision effects, intelligence-gathering capabilities and force protection. Textron Defense Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textrondefense.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.