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.

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.

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.

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"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).