Textron Businesses Highlight Global Offerings at the International Paris Air Show

Paris, France - June 18, 2007 – Reinforcing its leadership in the global aerospace industry, Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) businesses are exhibiting this week at the 47th International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France. This seven day event serves as a highly effective platform for Textron's aviation and aerospace-related businesses, including Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation, to connect with customers and showcase a variety of innovative offerings and solutions.

"A critical element of Textron's global growth is the significant increase we're experiencing in international demand for our products, which has been steadily rising over the last few years," said Lewis B. Campbell, Textron's chairman, president and CEO. "We're confident that our businesses are well equipped to serve and meet these customer needs on a global basis, and the Paris Air Show is a strategic venue for us to connect with current and potential aviation and aerospace customers, who provide critical inputs to both the product design and development processes at our businesses."

Textron companies can be found in Chalets 384 and 390, as well as in Hall 4, Stand C1.

Textron Businesses at the Paris Air Show

Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor technology. At this year's exhibition, Bell Helicopter will showcase the Bell 429, a versatile helicopter that will set a new standard of operation for any market segment--emergency medical, corporate or off-shore. Certification for the Bell 429 is expected in the 3rd quarter of 2008.

Bell also will have on hand a scale model of the Bell 407, the aircraft used in the Polar First excursion, a pole to pole expedition with pilots Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill. The shear nature of that trip - flying in a helicopter from pole to pole - showcases just how rugged and reliable a Bell aircraft is in all sorts of conditions, including extreme ones.

Cessna Aircraft Company

Cessna Aircraft Company manufactures the broadest product line of aircraft in the world, including business jets, freight- and passenger-hauling turboprop-powered Caravans, and single engine piston aircraft. During the Paris Air Show, Cessna will exhibit seven aircraft on static display and a full-scale mockup of the company's newest large-cabin, long-range business jet concept, which the company has been gauging market demand as well as conducting preliminary design work. Aircraft on static display will include the Citation CJ2+, Citation Encore+, Citation XLS, and Citation Sovereign business jets, a Grand Caravan, a 206 Stationair, and a 172 Skyhawk single engine piston aircraft.

The Cessna line of aircraft continues to be particularly successful in Europe and on an international scale due to the continued growth of business aviation in the market; international orders were 48 percent of Cessna's total Citation jet orders in 2006. Drivers for this expansion include enhanced time management, greater efficiency in business management, increased personal communication, and more optimum travel options. And, with the opening of the Cessna sales office in Farnborough, England last summer, Cessna is primed to be closer to the customer and deliver aircraft to customers as more and more companies use business jets as a tool for increasing efficiency.

Textron Systems

Textron Systems provides advanced technology solutions to meet the needs of the global defense and aerospace industries. At the show, Textron Defense Systems and HR Textron, both units of Textron Systems, will exhibit precision strike weapons and ground and airborne surveillance systems, including the Sensor Fused Weapon, smart anti-armor weapon, and advanced customized hydraulic and electromechanical flight controls, actuation systems and components for commercial and military aircraft.

Textron Financial Corporation

Textron Financial Corporation will also be on hand, including a Bell Helicopter Finance Group individual to support Bell and its customers and a Cessna Finance Corporation representative to support Cessna and its customers.

About Textron

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 Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

 

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