Textron Systems’ trialled the advanced Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV®) in the U.S. Navy-sponsored Foreign Comparative Test (FCT), demonstrating enhanced capabilities for a surface warfare related mission set.
Outfitted with a South Korean system known as a PONIARD rocket, manufactured by LIG Nex1 Co., Ltd., the CUSV successfully executed multiple Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) missions against a moving target over five different scenarios. This demonstration was reportedly the first time a small USV engaged multiple surface targets in single salvo.
Developed and engineered to primarily support mine countermeasure missions for the USN, Textron’s CUSV can be retrofitted with a variety of non-mine countermeasure payloads including expeditionary warfare, surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payloads.
These capabilities make the craft versatile for warfare operational commanders, and support enhanced operations across a variety of maritime warfare mission sets.
In October 2023, Textron teamed again with the U.S. Navy and LIG Nex1 Co., Ltd. to participate in a Fourth Fleet-sponsored Fleet FLEX demonstration in Key West, Florida. This event consisted of a live-fire demonstration of PONIARD rockets from the CUSV.
Throughout this successful demonstration, the CUSV launched six PONIARD rockets, achieving direct hits and mission kills against all targets, marking ten consecutive hits with PONIARD rockets from the CUSV, dating back to the FCT earlier this year.
