During the 2019 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C., Textron Systems, Howe & Howe and FLIR Systems debuted the Ripsaw M5 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV).

The Team Ripsaw offering for the U.S. Army’s RCV program, the Ripsaw M5, which is described as a “low-risk, ready-now solution,” is capable of performing a variety of missions thanks to its aggressive mobility and modularity.

“Bringing together Howe & Howe, Textron Systems and FLIR Systems really represents a dream team,” says President & CEO Lisa Atherton of Textron Systems.

“We formed this team based on our shared focus to serve this customer with disruptive ideas and proven experience, and we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their requirements through the RCV program. We are confident that the Ripsaw M5 is their ideal wingman, and that we can get these vehicles out into the field where they need them – quickly.”

Designed for high speed and superior mobility in the most rugged terrains and weather, the fifth-generation robotic combat vehicle platform is a combination of scalable armor, suspension and drive options to meet various mission demands.

Upfront investments have been made for critical technologies to demonstrate that the Ripsaw M5 is mission ready to provide the U.S. Army “confident execution with uncompromising technology,” which includes real-time situational awareness systems, remote weapons stations and terrain engagement systems.

Team Ripsaw draws from the respective strengths of each member, including Howe & Howe’s extensive knowledge of purpose-built ground vehicles. With the support provided by FLIR Systems, the Ripsaw M5 system can quickly achieve the Army’s objective of unmanned operations, alongside Textron Systems’ extensive experience when it comes to autonomy and armored vehicle design, production, training and logistics.