AAI Corporation

AAI Corporation was an American aerospace company whose activities included unmanned aircraft systems, aerospace structures, and related support services. It became particularly associated with military unmanned aircraft such as the Shadow family, serving defense and government customers. In 2007, Textron acquired AAI Corporation and incorporated its capabilities into Textron's defense and aerospace operations. AAI's unmanned-aircraft activities and technologies were subsequently integrated into Textron Systems, and public descriptions of the original company as an independent operating brand vary after that integration.

AAI Corporation was an American aerospace company established in the mid-twentieth century. Its earlier activities covered aerospace manufacturing and related technical services. As demand grew for tactical unmanned aircraft, reconnaissance, and battlefield communications, unmanned systems became an important part of AAI's business. The company became associated with the Shadow family of military unmanned aircraft, together with related ground-control, maintenance, and support capabilities. Textron acquired AAI Corporation in 2007. Following the acquisition, AAI's technologies, products, and customer relationships were incorporated into Textron's aerospace and defense operations and later integrated with the unmanned-systems activities of Textron Systems. Because the post-acquisition corporate structure and brand usage changed, the status of AAI Corporation as an independent brand requires date-specific verification.

• 2007

  Acquired by Textron

  Textron acquired AAI Corporation and incorporated its aerospace and unmanned aircraft capabilities into its defense business.

Aerospace and unmanned aircraft systems supplier for defense and government customers

• Military unmanned aircraft systems

  Shadow unmanned aircraft system

  Shadow was AAI Corporation's best-known tactical unmanned aircraft system, designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and battlefield information collection. The system included aircraft, ground-control equipment, and support elements and was later incorporated into Textron Systems' unmanned-systems business.

• 2007

  Textron acquires AAI CorporationM&A

  Background

  Textron expanded its aerospace and defense business and gained AAI's capabilities in unmanned aircraft systems.

  Action taken

  Textron acquired AAI Corporation and integrated it into its business portfolio.

  Aftermath

  AAI's unmanned aircraft and related technology activities were gradually integrated with Textron Systems' operations.