Textron Systems Unveils TSUNAMI™ Autonomous Maritime Surface Vessels for Multi-Mission Deployment
Textron Systems Corporation, a subsidiary of Textron, has officially introduced its latest innovation, the TSUNAMI™ family of autonomous maritime surface vessels. This new product line has been designed specifically to meet the evolving needs of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its allies, offering a versatile, rapidly deployable, and cost-effective fleet of uncrewed maritime vessels. The TSUNAMI family is engineered to seamlessly integrate into existing naval operations, capable of carrying out multi-mission tasks while ensuring interoperability with a range of other military assets.
With over four decades of experience in the development and integration of autonomous systems across air, land, and sea domains, Textron Systems is uniquely positioned to deliver cutting-edge, reliable solutions for modern military operations. The TSUNAMI family is a direct result of this extensive expertise, combining Textron Systems’ proven autonomous control technologies with the capabilities and manufacturing prowess of the U.S. commercial shipbuilding sector, spearheaded by Brunswick Corporation.
A Game-Changing Maritime Solution
The TSUNAMI autonomous vessels are engineered to provide a highly capable, cost-efficient alternative to traditional crewed ships. These vessels can be deployed quickly, making them ideal for urgent, time-sensitive operations in maritime environments. By utilizing the CUSV® (Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle) autonomy control system, developed and perfected by Textron Systems, the TSUNAMI family delivers superior performance in terms of navigational control, mission flexibility, and adaptability to various maritime conditions.
The TSUNAMI vessels are powered by gasoline, chosen for its ease of logistics, affordability, and ease of maintenance. This fuel choice makes the vessels well-suited for long-duration deployments, ensuring logistical simplicity in a wide range of operational environments. Additionally, the TSUNAMI family offers an impressive payload capacity of 1,000 pounds (453.6 kilograms), allowing it to carry a range of mission-critical equipment and sensors, from surveillance systems to electronic warfare gear and beyond.
Versatility and Reliability
The TSUNAMI family is available in three distinct variants: 24-foot, 25-foot, and 28-foot hulls, all of which are currently in high-volume production. These vessels are designed to be deployed in Sea State 4 conditions, which refers to moderate sea conditions with wave heights up to 8 feet. This capability ensures that the TSUNAMI vessels can operate in a variety of weather conditions, making them suitable for a wide range of operational missions, from reconnaissance to mine warfare and anti-submarine operations.
The vessels are also equipped with long-range capabilities, with operating ranges varying from 600 nautical miles to over 1,000 nautical miles, depending on the variant. This impressive range allows for extended operational periods, reducing the need for frequent resupply missions and enabling greater mission endurance. Furthermore, Textron Systems has laid out a clear roadmap for scaling the TSUNAMI family to include larger vessel sizes, as well as additional configurations to meet the specific needs of various military operations and missions.
Supporting the DoD and Allied Forces
David Phillips, Senior Vice President of Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, emphasized the company’s unique ability to provide fully integrated autonomous systems across all domains. “Textron Systems understands how to design, integrate, field, and support autonomous systems across the air, land, and sea domains because we are unique in having done that,” Phillips stated. “Combining this expertise with the capability, demonstrated capacity, and affordability of Brunswick’s commercial shipbuilding know-how allows us to provide our DoD and allied customers with powerful maritime force strength at speed and at scale.”
Textron Systems’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge autonomous solutions is further exemplified by its work on the Navy’s first small Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) program of record. The company’s development of the CUSV, which has accumulated thousands of operational hours, has proven to be a key stepping stone in the advancement of autonomous maritime technology. The CUSV platform’s flexibility and success in numerous missions have made it a vital asset for the U.S. Navy, and the TSUNAMI family aims to build on that success, offering even greater capabilities and more robust design for future missions.
Cost-Effective, Scalable, and Mission-Ready
One of the key advantages of the TSUNAMI family is its affordability, which is crucial for ensuring scalability and widespread deployment within military forces. As defense budgets continue to face pressure, it becomes increasingly important to find ways to reduce costs while still maintaining high operational effectiveness. The TSUNAMI vessels, with their low operational and maintenance costs, offer an economical solution to military leaders who require high-performance autonomous systems without the expense typically associated with larger, crewed vessels.
In addition to their cost-effectiveness, the TSUNAMI vessels are also designed with rapid deployment in mind. With high-volume production already underway, these vessels can be manufactured and delivered at scale, ensuring that they are readily available to support various missions as needed. The flexibility of the TSUNAMI family also allows for future upgrades and modifications, ensuring that they can be adapted to meet emerging mission requirements as technology advances.
Textron Systems’ long history as a leading systems integrator in the defense industry gives it a competitive edge in providing solutions that not only meet the current needs of military customers but also evolve with future demands. The TSUNAMI autonomous vessels are built with this forward-looking approach in mind, ensuring that they can support a wide range of military operations well into the future.
The TSUNAMI™ family of autonomous maritime surface vessels represents a significant leap forward in the development of unmanned maritime technologies. With a proven track record of success and a clear path to future scalability, these vessels are poised to become an integral part of naval operations for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied forces worldwide. By leveraging Textron Systems’ extensive experience in autonomous vehicle development, along with the manufacturing expertise of Brunswick Corporation, the TSUNAMI family offers an unparalleled combination of performance, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.
As Textron Systems continues to expand its portfolio of autonomous solutions across the air, land, and sea domains, the TSUNAMI vessels stand as a testament to the company’s commitment to providing innovative, mission-ready technologies that enhance the strength and effectiveness of military forces. Learn more about the TSUNAMI family and Textron Systems’ broader range of autonomous products by visiting their website at textronsystems.com/products/cusv.
