WEST WARWICK, RI--(Marketwired - Apr 18, 2013) - Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ ALOT ]) announced today that it was awarded Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) by the FAA for a configuration of the [ ToughWriter® 4 ruggedized airborne printer ]. The PMA approval is significant because it permits Astro-Med to independently provide its ToughWriter 4 ruggedized airborne printers for use on certificated production and retrofit aircraft in the United States.

PMA is a combined design and production approval for modification and replacement articles. PMA was awarded after an intensive audit of Astro-Med's Quality Management System focused on how Astro-Med designs, manufactures, and installs replacement or modified ToughWriter 4 ruggedized airborne printers.

"Our success in being granted FAA FAR Part 21 PMA approval from the Federal Aviation Administration is an important step in the expansion of our Avionics business and it allows us to better serve a broader spectrum of this market. With this first PMA under our belt, Astro-Med intends to pursue additional printer models and other products for PMA approval in parallel with expanding our aircraft eligibility installed base. We are proud of having achieved this milestone," said Thomas C. Carll, Vice President.

The Astro-Med ToughWriter 4 ruggedized airborne printer is designed for both cockpit and cabin environments and provides crisp, uniform printing on 8.5-inch wide letter width roll paper. There are multiple versions of the ToughWriter 4 to fit the varying demands of commercial aircraft, and multiple options available including night vision compliant display lighting, and different front panel colors to match cockpit or cabin color scheme. For more information about the ToughWriter 4, visit [ http://www.astro-med.com/ruggedized_products/high_speed_printers/toughwriter_4 ].

About Astro-Med, Inc.

Astro-Med has been designing and manufacturing ruggedized airborne printers for more than a decade. These ruggedized printers and related ruggedized Ethernet switches are used in the most demanding military and commercial environments, including airborne, shipboard, and ground vehicle applications. Astro-Med is currently furnishing airborne printers for the Airbus A380 and A400M, the Boeing C-17, B-787, B-777, B-747, and the Lockheed C-130. Astro-Med is certified to AS9100, the quality management system specifically designed for manufacturers of aerospace industry products. Additional information about Astro-Med's ruggedized printer products is available at [ http://www.astro-med.com/ruggedized_products ].