Textron Defense Systems to research and develop standoff precision guided munitions with USSOCOM

WILMINGTON, Mass. 31 Aug. 2012. Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, that develops defense technology such as smart weapons; directed energy weapons; and C4ISR solutions, announced today that it has entered into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Executive Office (PEO) Fixed Wing for development of standoff precision guided munition capability. Initial activities will focus on Textron Defense Systems' Guided Clean Area Weapon (G-CLAW), a lightweight, blast-fragmented unitary area munition designed to defeat soft targets. The G-CLAW features an all-electronic fusing design, as well as features for low collateral damage and hazardous unexploded ordnance (UXO) prevention.

Under the CRADA, the organizations intend to integrate the G-CLAW into PEO Fixed Wing's common launch tube dispenser and complete the required testing to secure flight and weapons safety certifications. After those certifications have been obtained, Textron Defense Systems and USSOCOM will conduct inert and live-fire demonstrations of precision unitary munition delivery from a tactical carrier aircraft such as the MC-130W Dragon Spear. Integration activities will culminate in an end-to-end, live-fire demonstration.

Textron Defense Systems' G-CLAW incorporates multiple, redundant safety features, including self-destruct and self-neutralization mechanisms, to eradicate the threat of UXO. The G-CLAW is designed for integration into tactical munitions dispensers, as well as from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms.