Textron Systems Unmanned Systems has announced that it has received a $33.8 million contract to provide its Common Unmanned Surface Vessel (CUSV™) for the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) program. During the 30-month engineering, manufacturing and development period, Textron Systems will design, develop and qualify the UISS system, including both the vessel and its common command-and-control software, which is designed for seamless integration into the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mission module control station.
The U.S. Navy intends to use the UISS as a mine countermeasure system, designed for influence sweeping of magnetic and acoustic mines. The CUSV is compatible with both LCS configurations, and has demonstrated performance during in-water trials.
“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,” explains Senior Vice President and General Manager Bill Irby. “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 company’s fourth-generation CUSV incorporates design enhancements for superior stability required for UISS mission success, even in high sea states; multi-mission performance through a large, configurable payload bay; and high maintainability and reliability. The CUSV has been demonstrated with multiple payload packages including side-scan sonar, mine neutralization, nonlethal weapons, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Textron Systems’ team includes its Marine & Land Systems business to leverage 48 years of naval experience and proven ship-building capability alongside its unmanned systems expertise. Also part of the team is Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), a leading provider of undersea warfare solutions and provider of multiple LCS systems. AAC will execute integration of the UISS with the LCS.
