A Rhode Island-based company is to deliver Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) to support the U.S. Navy. Textron Systems Corporation has received an award to produce and deliver multiple TSUNAMI Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) to the U.S. Navy.
These vessels will be delivered to the Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercise in Key West, Florida. Textron revealed that it will provide the long dwell TSUNAMI interceptor USVs and Field Service Representatives (FSRs) to the FLEX exercise, demonstrating cooperative intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance and targeting (ISR-T) with its Aerosonde 4.7 VTOL UAS off a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
TSUNAMI family of autonomous maritime surface vessels
The company also highlighted that the TSUNAMI family of autonomous maritime surface vessels are designed to meet the needs of the U.S. Navy and its allies for a readily available, versatile portfolio of multi-mission uncrewed assets to team effectively across the fleet.
Utilizing Brunswick Corporation’s reliable, high-performance vessels, Textron Systems developed the TSUNAMI family of products with its trusted CUSV – Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle – vessel-based autonomy control system, leveraging mature commercial technologies to deliver increased capacity and immediate scale.
“The TSUNAMI family of vehicles leverage Textron Systems’ decades of expertise in autonomous systems innovation, coupled with the speed and scalability of Brunswick Corporation’s established and globally sustainable production line of vessels,” said Ryan Schaffernocker, Senior Vice President Air, Land and Sea Systems.
“This award establishes a partnership foundation for TSUNAMI USV government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) and contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) services, allowing for rapid deployment with a lower cost of ownership for the Navy.”
Efficient maritime solution
The company also pointed out that the new TSUNAMI family of autonomous maritime surface vessels harnesses Textron Systems’ over six decades of multi-domain advanced autonomy integration experience with the capacity and maturity of the U.S. commercial shipbuilding industry to deliver a scalable, innovative solution at mass production. In response to the Navy’s increased interest in small, low-cost, rapidly deployable Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) that can support a variety of missions, Textron noticed an opportunity to create an affordable, versatile and efficient maritime solution that meets these requirements.
Textron Systems also revealed that it’s the originator of the CUSV, the Mine Countermeasure (MCM) USV for the U.S. Navy Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) program of record. Most recently, Textron Systems introduced the Multi Mission USV (MMUSV), the 5th generation of its CUSV craft designed to expand the Navy’s capacity for advanced mission capabilities, according to a press release.
The latest exercise will showcase manned-unmanned teaming concepts, including the integration of advanced systems such as surface-to-air engagement technologies. This highlights a growing trend in defense: combining human-operated and autonomous systems to enhance mission effectiveness and reduce risk to personnel.
This contract underscores the U.S. military’s increasing reliance on autonomous systems to maintain a strategic edge in maritime operations. By leveraging mature commercial technologies and integrating them into defense applications, Textron Systems is helping to shape the future of naval warfare.
Moreover, the collaboration between the DIU and private defense firms reflects a broader effort to accelerate innovation and bring cutting-edge solutions to operational readiness more quickly.