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Sterling, VA — August 19, 2009 —
Overwatch, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron
Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is working with the Jane Goodall
Institute (JGI) as the organization uses Feature Analyst to
map the terrain in and around Tanzania’s Gombe National
Park for the identification of areas for potential reforestation
in an effort to benefit both people and chimpanzees.
The efforts of world-renowned primatologist and conservationist
Dr. Jane Goodall and her organization to study and protect
chimpanzees and their vanishing habitats in Africa has gained
the interest of the geospatial intelligence community. Terrain
in many remote areas around the world, including the Gombe
National Park, can only be studied through GIS, remote sensing
and GPS resources. Recognizing the value of the data that
could be obtained and analyzed with its Feature Analyst product,
Overwatch donated four program licenses to support JGI’s
work in Tanzania and across the African continent.
Feature Analyst provides sophisticated map-making and visualization
tools for geospatial intelligence professionals, providing
the capability of creating, maintaining, and analyzing 2D
and 3D global terrain models. Feature Analyst brings source
data to digital maps in hours and minutes instead of weeks
and days, delivering accelerated feature extraction (AFE)
from scanned maps as well as aerial, satellite, and LIDAR
imagery.
“Working with Feature Analyst and 60-cm QuickBird satellite
imagery allows us to track detailed changes in rural landscapes
and chimpanzees’ habitats in a manner never before possible,”
said Dr. Lilian Pintea, director of conservation science at
the Jane Goodall Institute. “The information obtained
using this technology is improving our conservation strategies
and actions on the ground and, ultimately, will help us make
a positive difference in the community.”
“The Feature Analyst software has a wide range of applications
providing practical solutions for land-use analysis and planning
in urban and remote terrains,” said Randy Averitte, Overwatch’s
senior vice president and general manager. “Overwatch
is honored to play a role in the efforts of the Jane Goodall
Institute and the great work it is doing for African ecosystems.”
About the Jane Goodall Institute
Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute continues Dr.
Goodall's pioneering research on chimpanzee behavior -- research
that transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship
between humans and animals. Today, the Institute is a global
leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats.
It also is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered
conservation and development programs in Africa, and the Roots
& Shoots global environmental and humanitarian youth program,
which has groups in 110 countries. More information is available
at www.janegoodall.org.
About Overwatch
Overwatch, an operating unit of Textron Systems, is the leading
provider of integrated intelligence software solutions and
services as well as robust satellite communications systems
for today’s U.S. and international defense and intelligence
communities. For the past 20 years, Overwatch’s intelligence
solutions have supported decision makers, counter-terrorism
analysts, warfighters and first responders by providing proven
tools that simplify the integration, analysis and exploitation
of intelligence in order to present a complete operational
picture and accelerate the time-to-decision. More information
is available at www.overwatch.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative
solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace
communities for more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned
aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles,
intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence
software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines,
test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment
services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming
Engines, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems, and Textron Marine
& Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is
available at www.textronsystems.com.
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.
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