Astro-Med Awarded Contract from Boeing for New Airborne Products

WEST WARWICK, R.I., Mar 22, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALOT) announced today that they received a contract from Boeing for a new ToughSwitch(R) for use on the C-130, in conjunction with Boeing's Avionics Modernization Program (AMP). The new ToughSwitch -- an 8 port ruggedized Ethernet switch -- is the latest in a range of new ruggedized airborne products that Astro-Med has developed for in-flight use in the cockpits and cabins of new and existing aircraft.

Called the ToughSwitch 2, the units are similar to the products that Astro-Med has been supplying to Boeing for the C-17 aircraft. In announcing the new contract, Everett V. Pizzuti, President and COO stated: "We are very pleased with the important array of products that we are designing for airborne applications on both military and commercial aircraft. These products will propel the growth of the Test & Measurement group of Astro-Med for many years." Under the terms of the contract with Boeing, Astro-Med will be supplying the new ToughSwitch for the next nine years.

Last year Astro-Med announced its contact with Boeing to furnish Cockpit Printers for the C-130. The printers are now in development and will begin shipping later in the year. The ToughSwitch 2 will be shipped concurrently with the printers.

Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high tech specialty printing systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement instruments employed around the world in a wide range of industrial, scientific, and medical applications.

Additional information about Astro-Med, Inc. is available by visiting www.astro-med.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may vary from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could affect these results include those mentioned in Astro-Med's FY 2004 annual report and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Astro-Med, Inc., West Warwick
Everett V. Pizzuti, 401-828-4000