Login
iscover
Textron Systems’ common unmanned surface vehicle has undertaken key surface warfare testing with the South Korean-Poniard rocket system, reportedly becoming the first small USV to engage multiple surface targets in a single salvo.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The CUSV successfully executed multiple fast inshore attack craft missions against a moving target over five different scenarios during a US Navy-sponsored Foreign Comparative Test.
The unmanned craft was fitted with the Poniard 2.75-inch guided rocket system, manufactured by South Korean aerospace and defence manufacturer LIG Nex1 (formerly NEX1 Future).
During a live-fire demonstration of Poniard rockets from the CUSV at a Fourth Fleet-sponsored Fleet FLEX demonstration in Florida, direct hits and mission kills were reportedly achieved against all targets and marked 10 consecutive hits with the rockets.
“(The) CUSV system continues to feature the maritime version of our proven, common command-and-control system, a trusted system that has successfully supported unmanned aircraft during more than 1 million flight hours,” according to a statement from Textron Systems.
“Whether in a mine sweeping and neutralisation role; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; harbour security; monitoring or protection, our fourth-generation CUSV is a mature, multi-mission and multi-payload capable vehicle with significant in-water experience.
“You can trust our proven CUSV system to enhance maritime power while keeping personnel out of harm’s way.”
The CUSV can also be retrofitted with non-mine countermeasure payloads for expeditionary warfare, surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance payloads that make the craft extremely versatile for warfare operational commanders, as well as a variety of maritime warfare mission sets.
The high endurance craft is reportedly capable of survivability up to seas state five (four-metre waves), 20-plus hours of operation and launch from ports, well decks and both littoral combat ship configurations.
Earlier this month, Textron Systems also announced its surface effect cargo amphibious transport (SECAT) had received approval in principle designation for light warships, patrol and high-speed naval vessels from the American Bureau of Shipping.
The SECAT provides cargo transportation capability at speeds up to 50 knots, carries a crew of 29 and payload up to 600 tons using a mine-resistant on-cushion shallow draft landing hull inside contested logistics environments.
“We like to use the moniker ’50 knots, 500 tons, at 500 nautical miles,” according to Textron Systems sea systems vice-president Ryan Schaffernocker.
“However, SECAT can also execute high-speed longer-range missions out to 1,500 nautical miles with a slightly lower cargo payload, making it the perfect intra-theatre cargo transportation platform for supporting long-range island campaigns.”
The craft can also act as a personnel transport supporting 75 Marines or a cargo “drive through” capability to execute at-sea rolling stock cargo transfer with larger Military Sealift Command transport vessels in up to sea state four.
