National Technical Systems Awarded Contract to Provide Hawker Beechcraft With Comprehensive Engineering, Testing, Technical Services

CALABASAS, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National Technical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTSC) (NTS), a leading provider of engineering services, announced today that it has been awarded a long term contract by Wichita, KS-based Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC), a global manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft, to provide HBC a comprehensive range of engineering, testing and technical services.  NTS will be a strategic supplier to HBC and provide them an integrated menu of services that includes product design, review, testing and certification.

HBC has been a NTS customer for several years and this new contract significantly expands the relationship between the two companies and establishes NTS as a preferred vendor, noted NTS CEO William McGinnis.  NTS will now be providing what it calls Life Cycle Product Services, which includes engineering and testing services, to support the development, certification and in-service requirements of HBC's complete line of aircraft.

"We see this contract as not only a reflection of the work we have previously done for HBC, but as an endorsement of our value proposition of providing a complete line of integrated product life cycle services to cost effectively augment the capabilities of our customers," McGinnis said.  "We look forward to working closely with HBC to fully support its commitment to provide its customers with a highly dependable and versatile line of aircraft that deliver innovative performance and legendary quality."  

McGinnis added that NTS created its Life Cycle Product Services to better integrate the Company's comprehensive line of engineering and testing services into its customers' operations, and to better respond to its customers' current and future needs.  He also said that NTS believes its expanded relationship with HBC is a strategic breakthrough in the important Wichita aerospace market and that he anticipates this agreement will help establish the foundation for similar agreements with other key players in the region and their supporting supply chains.

"In this era of globalization we believe it makes sense from time-to-market and financial perspectives for companies like HBC to bring in NTS with our broad range of specialty services to augment their capabilities and cost effectively conduct many of their certification and test requirements," McGinnis added. "We see this kind of services work as an important part of the growth engine for our Company in the coming months and years."

About Hawker Beechcraft

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company's headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

About NTS

National Technical Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of engineering services to the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, automotive and high technology markets. Through a world-wide network of resources, NTS provides Life Cycle Product Services, offering world class design engineering, compliance, testing, certification, quality registration and program management. For additional information about NTS, visit our website at www.ntscorp.com or call 800-270-2516.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to customer orders and the possibility of contract cancellations, demand for services and products, development of markets for the companies' services and products and other risks identified in the companies' SEC filings.  Actual results, events and performance may differ materially.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  The companies undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding National Technical Systems' business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

SOURCE National Technical Systems, Inc.