Textron debuts fifth-gen multi-mission USV

January 15, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron company, has introduced a multi-mission uncrewed surface vessel (MMUSV), the fifth generation of its common unmanned surface vessel (CUSV).

MMUSV builds on the CUSV design and is intended to provide the US Navy with greater range and endurance than earlier variants. The platform is designed to support a range of missions, including surface warfare, mine countermeasures, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and signals intelligence.

Textron Systems received the low-cost unmanned maritime solution (Large) award through the Expeditionary Mission Consortium–Crane in August 2025 to develop, test, and deliver the vessel.

According to the company, the MMUSV doubles the fuel and payload capacity of previous CUSV-based craft, with a maximum payload of about 13,000 pounds. The vessel is designed to operate in sea conditions up to Sea State 5 and has a towing capacity exceeding 4,000 pounds. Textron has positioned the platform as a rapidly producible option intended to meet US Navy and allied requirements.

Textron Systems has been involved in unmanned surface vessel development for several decades and is the original developer of the CUSV, which serves as the mine countermeasures USV for the navy’s Unmanned Influence Sweep System program of record.

The company continues to support the littoral combat ship mine countermeasures mission through a series of long-term contracts covering fleet support, sustainment, engineering services and depot maintenance.

In addition, Textron is under contract to produce mine sweep payload delivery systems and to develop and integrate a next-generation minesweeping payload known as the magnetic and acoustic generation next unmanned superconducting sweep, or MAGNUSS.

To remind, in January last year, Textron unleashed a new family of autonomous maritime surface vessels, the TSUNAMI.