Textron Systems Corporation, a division of Textron, has been awarded a significant contract by the U.S. Navy, valued at up to $106 million, to deliver Mine Sweeping Payload Delivery Systems (PDS). The contract will support the production, spares, and engineering services for the Navy’s Mine Countermeasure Mission Package (MCMMP), which is essential for advanced mine sweeping and hunting capabilities.
The MCMMP plays a vital role in the Navy’s ability to conduct mine-sweeping and mine-hunting operations effectively. This contract provides the necessary funding to enhance the capabilities of the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV®) system. The CUSV system will be further developed to perform semi-autonomous mine sweeping operations, which is a key step in advancing unmanned systems in naval operations. The Mine Sweeping PDS will be specifically designed to detect and neutralize magnetic, acoustic, and combined magnetic/acoustic mines using a towed acoustic generator and a magnetic minesweeping cable.
David Phillips, Senior Vice President of Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, emphasized the importance of the contract, stating, “The MCM mission package advances the Navy’s abilities with USVs, providing additional security for our sailors. Textron Systems excels at integration work across our air, land, and sea domains. The PDS award builds on that expertise and allows the Navy to take integration one step further through production and fielding, resulting in a semi-autonomous solution.”
Textron Systems has a long history of supporting the U.S. Navy in the development of unmanned mine-sweeping technology. Since 2014, the company has played a pivotal role in the design and production of the Navy’s Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS), which is the first mine-sweep payload delivery system designed specifically for uncrewed surface vessel operations. In 2022, Textron Systems achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the UISS, marking a significant milestone in the development of autonomous mine-sweeping systems.
In addition to supporting the UISS, Textron Systems has contributed to the Navy’s Mine Countermeasure Mission Package Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E). The company has been integral in ensuring the successful deployment and operational testing of these advanced systems, further solidifying its role as a leader in unmanned systems for the military.
Textron Systems’ expertise in the development of innovative naval technologies was further recognized in March 2023 when it was awarded the Magnetic and Acoustic Generation Next Unmanned Superconducting Sweep (MAGNUSS) contract. This award, granted by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), supports the development of non-towed sweep system capabilities that complement legacy towed mine-sweep systems. This cutting-edge initiative is expected to significantly enhance the Navy’s mine-clearing operations by providing additional options for countering mine threats.
Textron Systems is renowned for its leadership in the development and production of uncrewed air, surface, and land systems. The company operates under a family of brands, including Textron Systems, Howe & Howe, Lycoming, and ATAC. Through its extensive expertise in air, land, sea, propulsion, weapon systems, electronic systems, and test, training, and simulation, Textron Systems delivers advanced solutions that support defense, aerospace, and other critical customer missions.
The latest contract with the U.S. Navy represents a critical step forward in the Navy’s ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance its mine countermeasure capabilities. The development of semi-autonomous systems such as the CUSV system underscores the growing importance of unmanned technologies in ensuring the safety and security of naval forces. With the production and fielding of the Mine Sweeping Payload Delivery System, Textron Systems continues to push the boundaries of innovation, providing the U.S. Navy with cutting-edge tools to address evolving threats in the maritime domain.
For more information about Textron Systems and its range of advanced products and solutions, visit www.textronsystems.com.
