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Press Release
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Honeywell Wins First Production Contract For Its T-Hawk™ Micro Air
Vehicle
Production Contract Valued at $65 Million
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Provides “Eye in the Sky” and Real-Time Data
PHOENIX, November 4, 2008 -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that
it has received a $65 million production contract for its Micro Air Vehicle,
known as the T-Hawk™.
The $65 million agreement is for 90 T-Hawk™ systems. Each system consists of
two T-Hawk™ vehicles and one ground control unit, spares, training for
operators and maintainers, and field support. Hardware deliveries of the 90
systems will begin in the second quarter of 2009 and conclude in December
2009.
Each T-Hawk™ is small enough to carry in a backpack and is equipped with video
cameras that relay information back to foot soldiers using a portable handheld
terminal. The circular vehicle, weighing 17 pounds and 14 inches in diameter,
can easily fly down to inspect hazardous areas for threats without exposing
warfighters to enemy fire. Honeywell’s T-Hawk™ also has the unique ability to
take off and land vertically from complex desert and urban terrains without
using runways or helipads.
“Honeywell’s versatile and highly capable T-Hawk™ will help our war fighters
conduct more effective missions while keeping them out of harm’s way,” said Ed
Wheeler, President, Honeywell Defense and Space. “Our T-Hawk™ delivers more
than 40 minutes of flight endurance, more than 40 knots of airspeed and will
operate to altitudes of more than 7,000 feet.”
The system has been deployed in Iraq to keep American troops safer by
identifying enemy threats from the sky. The deployment is the first time a
ducted-fan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been used during combat
missions.
“Honeywell has unsurpassed experience in developing ducted-fan vertical takeoff
and landing unmanned air vehicles,” Wheeler said. “Our highly precise controls
allow the T-Hawk™ to operate at very high altitudes or just inches from the
ground, providing unprecedented hover and stare capabilities for enemy
detection or other missions in war zones.”
The system requires minimal operator training and includes two airborne
vehicles and a portable ground station used to guide the aircraft and receive
images from the cameras. The ground station can be used to program a flight
path for the T-Hawk™ or control it manually. The aircraft also can be
optionally equipped with electro-optical cameras for daylight operations or
infrared cameras for night missions.
A civilian version of this technology is being evaluated by the Miami Dade
Police Department for law enforcement applications.
Honeywell International is a $38 billion diversified technology and
manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and
services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive
products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township,
N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock
Exchanges. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com.
Based in Phoenix, Honeywell’s $12 billion aerospace business is a leading
global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions
for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military,
space and airport operations.
This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about future business
operations, financial performance and market conditions. Such forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties inherent in business forecasts as
further described in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act.
Media Contacts:
Cathy Gedvilas
602-365-5930
cathy.gedvilas@honeywell.com
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