All-Electric Robotic Combat Vehicle Delivered for Weapon Integration Testing

Textron Systems and Howe & Howe Inc. have delivered an all-electric version of the RIPSAW M5 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) known as M5-E, to Robotics Research (RR), LLC. 

This robotic vehicle was delivered in its flat-deck configuration to support the U.S Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center’s weapon integration testing. 

The contract produced a vehicle with advanced technology providing unprecedented capability. With this delivery, the Textron team remains poised to provide additional aftermarket support with training, equipment familiarization, operations sustainment and more.

The M5-E’s flat deck configuration makes it an ideal integration and test platform for modular mission packages. 

As an all-electric Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), the M5-E is designed to support silent maneuvers without compromising power or mobility.

With unmanned capability options, the M5-E supports a diverse set of missions that remove the soldier from the risk of the battlefield. The system incorporates a modular open system architecture that enables a rapid exchange of payloads. 

Ease of integration was crucial, as there are a wide variety of payloads that can be integrated, including weapons, mine clearing, electronic warfare, Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS), logistic resupply and more. 

Using robotic ground vehicles to perform these missions increases standoff and provides additional protection to our warfighters.

The M5-E was built at the Howe & Howe manufacturing and innovation facility in Waterboro, Maine and supported through design, integration and testing at Textron Systems’ Hunt Valley, Md. facility.