Textron Systems Unmanned Systems recently received a $14.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy to provide two additional common unmanned surface vehicles (CUSVs) for its Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) program.
Textron describes the CUSV as a “multi-mission, unmanned surface vehicle capable of carrying multiple payloads including side-scan sonar, mine neutralization, nonlethal weapons, and intelligence.”
The two new CUSVs will assist the Navy in mine-hunting and mine-neutralization operations through its comprehensive Mine Counter Measure Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV) mission.
“The Navy is excited to continue to work with its industry partner, Textron Systems Unmanned Systems, to continue to develop, test and deliver additional capability to the fleet with the MCM USV platform and systems,” Cpt. John Rucker, Navy program manager for the Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office, said. “The craft and its associated systems will provide a modular capability that will be a key component of the Navy’s future mine countermeasures efforts.”
The new CUSVs recently completed initial testing demonstrations in Louisiana and are scheduled to complete additional testing off the eastern U.S. coast. To date, variations of the CUSV have completed more than 2,000 on-water operational hours.