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Explore UST’s round-up of this week’s five most read articles, featuring new technologies, awards, and industry successes.
1. Textron Systems Unveils Fifth-Generation MMUSV With Doubled Payload Capacity & Range
Textron Systems Corporation has introduced the Multi Mission Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MMUSV), marking the fifth generation of the company’s established Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) craft.
Engineered for high-endurance operations, the MMUSV features twice the fuel and payload capacity of its predecessors, supporting up to 13,000 pounds. The vessel is designed for survivability in conditions up to Sea State 5 and maintains a towing capacity exceeding 4,000 pounds. These specifications are intended to provide a low-cost, rapid-production solution for the U.S. Navy and its allies.
2. ANELLO Photonics Secures $20M APFIT Award for Scaling GPS-Denied Navigation
ANELLO Photonics has been awarded $20 million by the Department of War (DoW) under the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program. The funding aims to fast-track the procurement, production, and scaling of the GPS-denied navigation technology by ANELLO.
As the creator of the Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG™), ANELLO Photonics specializes in solid-state, high-precision inertial navigation. The company’s selection for the FY 2026 APFIT award follows several previous defense-sector milestones, including a U.S. Navy Phase I and U.S. Army Phase II SBIR award, as well as other defense wins. These previous design achievements served to validate the company’s GPS-denied navigation capabilities across contested, mission-critical scenarios.
3. Autonomous VTOL AI Drone Launched for Surveying & Mapping Applications
ZenaTech has introduced the IQ Quad, an autonomous Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) AI drone designed specifically for high-precision surveying and mapping applications. Developed by subsidiary ZenaDrone, the new medium-class enterprise quadcopter is engineered to serve the construction, real estate development, urban planning, and public works sectors.
The platform is designed to produce professional-grade land maps and 3D terrain models by collecting highly accurate geospatial data. IQ Quad features a durable, weather-resistant carbon fiber airframe with folding arms to facilitate portability and storage.
4. New Benchmarks for UAV Data Accuracy with RIEGL LiDAR & DJI Integration
Vermessung Schmid has expanded its high-tech measurement portfolio by integrating the RIEGL VUX-120²³ laser scanner with the DJI Matrice 400 drone platform.
Based in Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria, the established geospatial company is utilizing this combination to achieve higher performance across a wider range of applications. The VUX-120²³ is thought to be among the most advanced LiDAR sensors on the global market due to its high point density and data accuracy. This system enables new possibilities in 3D terrain modeling, forestry, utility mapping, and infrastructure planning, particularly where conventional surveying methods reach their limits.
5. CHC Navigation Launches APACHE 6 USV for Enhanced Multibeam & 3D Marine Mapping
CHC Navigation has introduced the APACHE 6 – 2026 Edition, an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) engineered to provide high-resolution bathymetric and 3D mapping for complex marine environments.
The new vessel is specifically optimized for integration with NORBIT iWBMS and WINGHEAD series multibeam echosounders. For projects requiring a complete view of both submerged and overhead environments, an optional NORBIT iLiDAR system can be equipped to capture terrestrial 3D data simultaneously with marine data. This dual-acquisition capability allows for the efficient mapping of harbors, rivers, and critical infrastructure such as bridges and power lines in a single survey pass.
