Textron Systems delivers Ripsaw M5 to US Army
Textron Systems and Howe & Howe have delivered the fourth Ripsaw M5 vehicle to the US Army in support of the Robotic Combat Vehicle - Medium (RCV-M) programme.
The vehicle offers a hybrid engine, which allows for quiet manoeuvres and increased reliability.
The vehicle is the fourth and final RCV-M prototype out of eight total RCV prototypes that the US Army will use in Soldier Touchpoint assessments.
Once the RCVs are in government possession, work will begin to integrate autonomy on the systems, pair them with their manned control vehicles and then move on to shake-out testing to prepare the vehicles for a Soldier Operational Experiment to be held in summer 2022.
Decisions about the acquisition are expected to be made following the Phase III cycle, which will occur in 2026.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the vehicle is based upon the Howe & Howe Ripsaw tracked platform and incorporates several subsystems designed by FLIR.
It is a modular design that can mount different turrets, sensors and specialised equipment, as well as act as a mother ship to smaller UGVs or small UAVs.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.