E-Z-GO 2007 Annual Report Download - page 23

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Item 1. Business
commercial helicopters currently offered by Bell include the 206, 407 and 412; in addition, the 429 is expected to be certifi ed in the 2008-2009
time-frame.
Bell Helicopter’s Customer Support and Service division provides post-sale service and support to its customers for its installed base of
approximately 13,000 helicopters and tiltrotors through a network of fi ve Bell-owned service centers, over 130 independent service centers and
seven parts distribution centers that are located throughout the world. Collectively, these service centers offer logistics support, including parts,
support equipment, technical data, training devices, pilot and maintenance training, component repairs, engine repair and overhaul, aircraft
modifi cations, post-sale customizing, accessory manufacturing, contractor maintenance, fi eld service and product support engineering.
Bell Helicopter competes against a number of competitors based in the U.S. and other countries for its helicopter business, and its parts and
support business competes against numerous competitors around the world. Competition is based primarily on price, product quality and
reliability, product support, contract performance and reputation.
Textron Systems is a primary supplier to the defense, aerospace and general aviation markets, providing approximately 10%, 9% and 8% of
Textron’s revenues in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Textron Systems’ principal strategy is to address the U.S. Department of Defense’s
emphasis on network centric warfare by leveraging advances in information technology in the development and production of networked sensors,
weapons and the associated algorithms and software. Textron Systems manufactures precision weapons, airborne and ground-based surveillance
systems, sophisticated intelligence and situational awareness software, armored vehicles and turrets, reciprocating piston aircraft engines, and
aircraft and missile control actuators, valves and related components. While Textron Systems sells most of its products to U.S. customers, it also
sells certain products to customers outside the U.S. through sales representatives and distributors located in various global locations. Textron
Systems includes HR Textron, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch Geospatial Operations, Overwatch Tactical Operations, Textron Defense Systems,
Textron Marine & Land Systems, and AAI Corporation.
Textron Systems has produced approximately 900 armored security vehicles (“ASV”) for the U.S. Army since inception of the current U.S.
Army contract in June 2005. This contract calls for more than 750 additional units through May 2009. The ASVs currently are deployed in
locations around the globe, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving various missions, including convoy escorts, patrolling, checkpoints,
forward operating base patrol, urban operations, reconnaissance and surveillance patrols, and tactical overwatch for civilian and military
police operations.
Textron Systems is a tier-one supplier of unattended ground sensors and intelligent munitions systems for the U.S. Army’s Future Combat
System. Textron Systems also is the U.S. Air Force’s prime contractor for the Sensor Fuzed Weapon and a subcontractor to The Boeing Company
for tail actuation systems on the Joint Direct Attack Munition and the next generation Small Diameter Bomb.
In November 2007, we acquired United Industrial Corporation, which operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, AAI Corporation (“AAI”).
AAI is a leading provider of intelligent aerospace and defense systems, including: tactical unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), training and
simulation systems, automated aircraft test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, countersniper
detection systems, and logistical, engineering and supply chain services. AAI adds important capabilities to our existing aerospace and defense
businesses and advances our strategy to deliver broader and more integrated solutions to our customers. As a part of Textron Systems, AAI
remains the prime system integrator for the U.S. Army’s premier tactical UAS, the Shadow®, which includes the One System® Ground Control
Station — the U.S. Army’s standard for interoperability of manned and unmanned airborne assets.
Textron Systems competes against a number of competitors in the U.S. and other countries on the basis of technology, contract performance,
price, product quality and reliability, product support and reputation.
Cessna Segment
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of general aviation aircraft. Cessna currently has four major
product lines: Citation business jets, Caravan single engine turboprops, Cessna single engine piston aircraft, and aftermarket services. Revenues
in the Cessna segment accounted for approximately 38%, 36% and 35% of our total revenues in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The family of business jets currently produced by Cessna includes the Mustang, Citation CJ1+, Citation CJ2+, Citation CJ3, Citation CJ4,
Citation Encore+, Citation XLS+, Citation Sovereign and Citation X. The Citation X is the world’s fastest business jet with a maximum operating
speed of Mach 0.92. First customer deliveries of the Citation XLS+ and Citation CJ4 are scheduled to commence in late 2008 and 2010, respectively.