AUVSI Unmanned Systems North America 2012 —
Textron Systems Advanced Systems, an operating unit of Textron
Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that
its Fleet-class Common Unmanned Surface Vessels (CUSV) successfully
demonstrated the ability to conduct collaborative unmanned
mine-hunting and mine-neutralization operations during the Trident
Warrior 2012 U.S. Navy Fleet Experiment, July 9–20, at Marine Corps
Base Camp Pendleton.
The CUSV team executed real-time, mine warfare detect-to-engage
scenarios on six separate occasions, during which two CUSVs
controlled by one operator from a single control station detected
and prosecuted "exercise" mines in a minefield laid by the U.S.
Navy.
In these scenarios one CUSV, utilizing the U.S. Navy's tactical
decision aid – called MEDAL – developed by SAIC, moved into the
mine danger area and autonomously deployed an L-3 Klein 5000 V2
Side Scan Sonar to mine hunt the suspected minefield. Mine hunting
was successfully conducted during both day and night operations and
in challenging sea state conditions. The CUSVs were outfitted with
Harris SeaLancetTM RT-1944/U data links, which relayed all sonar
and vehicle control information to a shore-based AAI Universal
Command & Control Station (UCCS). When a mine-like object was
detected and plotted on the UCCS geographical screen, the position
information was sent to a second CUSV. The second CUSV then
maneuvered into the mine danger area. Once appropriately
positioned, it deployed both a tracking transducer and an ATLAS
North America SeaFoxTM unmanned vehicle for investigation,
identification and simulated mine neutralization.
"During Trident Warrior 2012 our CUSV demonstrated a faster,
more efficient, more effective and, most importantly, a much safer
way of conducting the difficult task of mine countermeasure
operations," said Textron Systems Advanced Systems Senior Vice
President and General Manager Don Hairston. "The ability to execute
the mine warfare detect-to-engage sequence from unmanned vessels
reduces risk and lessens the requirement for men in the minefield.
Moving forward, this is a real game changer."
Trident Warrior is directed by Navy Warfare Development Command
(NWDC), and was sponsored this year by the U.S. Pacific Fleet and
U.S. 3rd Fleet in conjunction with the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)
2012 exercise. Trident Warrior is part of NWDC's Fleet
experimentation program, during which participants experiment with
maritime initiatives and technologies in an operational environment
to improve capabilities available to the fleet.
With the conclusion of Trident Warrior 2012, Textron Systems'
CUSV has amassed more than 1,000 total hours of in-water operation.
CUSV also took part in Trident Warrior 2011, where it successfully
demonstrated sliding autonomy, enabling autonomous and
man-in-the-loop vessel operations, and non-lethal weapon common
payload command and control.
CUSV is a multi-mission and multi-payload capable Unmanned
Surface Vessel featuring commercial off-the-shelf modular open
architecture, a reconfigurable payload bay, and high tow force
capability. Its maritime command and control system is based upon
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems' combat-proven One System®
architecture. CUSV users have the freedom to quickly deploy any
payload necessary to satisfy mission requirements including towing,
mine countermeasures, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare,
communications relay, launch and recovery for unmanned aircraft,
underwater systems, and intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance.
A short video showing Textron Systems' CUSVs during Trident
Warrior 2012 is available here.
One System is a registered trademark of the U.S. Army.
Tom Williams, APR
Textron Systems Corporation
(410)
628-4683
tjwilliams@systems.textron.com
About Textron Systems Advanced Systems
Textron Systems Advanced Systems brings together cutting-edge
technologies and far-reaching innovations to satisfy emerging
customer demands for reliable, affordable solutions in the areas of
security; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and
medical research. Its strategic business Overwatch is a
leading provider of intelligence software solutions and robust
satellite communications systems for U.S. and international
defense, intelligence and law enforcement communities. The Advanced
Systems business also continues efforts on light arms technologies
and unmanned systems such as the Common Unmanned Surface Vessel, or
CUSV, conceived by AAI. Another strategic business, Medical
Numerics, provides processing and analysis software for
medical imaging research. Textron Systems Advanced Systems is an
operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at
www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the
defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than
50 years. Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., the company is known
for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored
vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems,
intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston
engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle
sustainment and operational services. Textron Systems includes AAI
Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training, AAI
Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Advanced Systems, Aerosonde, ESL
Defence, Lycoming Engines, Medical Numerics, MillenWorks,
Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land
Systems. More information is available at
www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its
global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance
businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and
services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands
such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex,
Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information
is available at www.textron.com.
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The following pictures are available for download:
[Image] |
CUSV 1 DSC5795 |
[Image] |
CUSV 2_048 |
[Image] |
CUSV 1 DSC6037 |
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