Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it received 41 signed contracts at HELI-EXPO 2011 in Orlando, Fla., this past week.

“This was an exceptional show for Bell Helicopter,” said John L. Garrison, president & CEO, Bell Helicopter. “Spending time with our customers and listening to their needs and direct feedback is invaluable. Generating a record number of orders at HELI-EXPO this year – selling over 40 aircraft – is an indication of customer trust in Bell Helicopter and that we are meeting their mission needs. The mix of aircraft and the geographic diversity are positive indications for our entire industry – and more importantly global confidence in Bell Helicopter.”

The product mix included several 412EPs, 429s, 11 new 407GXs as well as 206L4s representing North America, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.

“We can definitely start to feel a change in the climate,” said Larry Roberts, senior vice president, Commercial Business for Bell Helicopter. “I was especially delighted that we enjoyed sales across the product range in particular with the Bell 412EP, the 407GX and the 429. This demonstrates that whether mature technology or new innovation our aircraft remain in demand confirming to a large measure that Bell Helicopter solutions are relevant in the market place. The industry wants Bell Helicopter solutions and we aim to keep providing them.”

At this year’s Heli-Expo, Bell Helicopter announced the 407GX a new version of the Bell 407 equipped with the innovative Garmin G1000HTM Integrated Flight Deck and the 407AH, the first Bell-qualified armed commercial aircraft across the market.

Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates;
• Legislative or regulatory actions impacting our operations or demand for our products;
• Performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors and business partners;
• Changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders;
• The efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products and unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs;
• The timing of new product launches and certifications of new aircraft products;
• Difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers’ ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and
• Continued volatility in the economy resulting in a prolonged downturn in the commercial helicopter market.

About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

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.