Company insight
Pushing strategic capability further with high-tech robotic vehicles
Bringing together speed of innovation and proven programme execution, Textron Systems’ M5 Robotic Vehicle-Medium (RV-M) provides capability without compromise. It is a multi-mission wingman, purpose-built to support a customer’s individual requirements.
T
he future certainly looks promising for robotic ground vehicles, and Textron Systems in particular. Speaking on the topic, David Phillips senior vice president for land and sea for the company, said: “Robotic ground vehicles represent the future of forward- deployed operations and battlefield support activities. The M5 RV-M featuring a flat-top-deck configuration provides customers with an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-free base vehicle, that’s proven capable and ready to accept customer furnished payloads. With its open architecture design and available 10kW of power, the M5 offers unmatched mission possibilities and Textron Systems stands ready to provide our customers with the support necessary to ensure operational success.” The M5 is the fifth generation of the
RIPSAW vehicle initially developed by Howe & Howe Inc., which was acquired by Textron Systems in 2018. The M5 RV-M benefits from over 50 years of Textron Systems armoured vehicle experience combined with nearly two million hours of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations and their inherent command and control systems. In 2021, Textron Systems delivered four M5 vehicles to the United States Army, which are undergoing stringent and rigorous testing to meet US requirements. Textron Systems has also worked with industry leaders in autonomy and passive perception to ensure the M5 is easily operated and maintained. With the M5 RV-M, customers can be assured the vehicle has been produced to the highest reliability, manufacturing and capability standards.
The M5 RV-M’s ability to traverse varied terrains make it a perfect battlefield support vehicle.
With all-electric and diesel-electric hybrid powerplant options, the M5 is appropriately powered to support military, civil and commercial applications. Moreover, a class leading 72ft2
of
unobstructed deck-space and 14,000lb (~6,350 kg) of payload capacity means the M5 can accommodate a wide variety of payload configurations. The M5 is also built with an open architecture, allowing rapid customer integration and use of various payloads. The M5’s open architecture extends to the vehicle’s control interface as well. This control interface supports tele-operation equipped platforms with drive-by-wire interfaces and autonomy solutions integrated by Textron Systems, or integrated by the end customer with Textron Systems support. This open architecture approach for both payload and vehicle control integration provides ample opportunities for industrial participation.
Defence & Security Systems International /
www.defence-and-security.com Another important point to note is the
M5 RV-M flat-top-deck configuration is commercially available and not subject to ITAR, the set of US government regulations administered by the US Department of State that control the export of defence articles and services, which creates a great opportunity for partner nations to purchase this versatile platform. Equally, there are several existing payload options that are not subject to ITAR, including radio/ communications relays, route clearing and logistics packages. In short, Textron Systems stands ready to support its customers with any desired vehicle configuration and offers a variety of support packages to meet customer operational needs. The M5 RV-M represents the future of robotic ground vehicles. ●
www.textronsystems.com 21
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