Textron to support US Navy’s unmanned influence sweep system programme
Textron Systems has been awarded a $33.8m contract by the US Navy to provide common unmanned surface vessel (CUSV) support to the unmanned influence sweep system (UISS) programme.
Textron Systems has been awarded a $33.8m contract by the US Navy to provide common unmanned surface vessel (CUSV) support to the unmanned influence sweep system (UISS) programme.
During the 30-month engineering, manufacturing and development period, Textron will design, develop and test the UISS system, including both the vessel and its common command-and-control software.
The software will be used for seamless integration into the US Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) mission module control station.
"Our CUSV has more than 1,800 hours of in-water operation."
Textron Systems senior vice-president and general manager Bill Irby said: "Over several years, we invested in the translation of our proven command-and-control architecture, with nearly a million operational hours to the maritime domain.
"Our CUSV has more than 1,800 hours of in-water operation and with the enhancements and multi-mission capabilities offered by our fourth-generation system, it will be a high-performance, reliable UISS platform for an evolving mission environment."
The UISS will be used by the US Navy as a mine countermeasure system for the sweeping of magnetic and acoustic mines.
Compatible with both LCS configurations, the CUSV has undergone in-water trials and demonstrated its performance with multiple payload packages including side-scan sonar, mine neutralisation, nonlethal weapons, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The company’s fourth-generation CUSV features design improvements to support UISS missions even in high sea states, as well as multimission performance through a large, configurable payload bay.
The Textron Systems team includes its Marine & Land Systems business and Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC).
