Textron has begun on-the-water testing of the fourth-generation version of the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), part of the Navy's Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) program.
The CUSV is designed for minesweeping, ISR and nonlethal weapons missions. Textron completed the design, build and component test phases of the UISS program in November 2016. The next step has been the systems-level integration and test (I&T) phase, including in dockside and on-water testing in Lake Pontchartrain near the company's Marine & Land Systems facility in Louisiana.
"The I&T phase includes functional testing of the system's integrated generators, engines, datalinks, as well as on-water maneuverability testing. Textron Systems will move into builders' trials upon completion of I&T and then formal testing to validate system functionality with the U.S. Navy later this year," a Textron news release said.
"We are excited to begin system-level testing of our first UISS system with mine countermeasure capabilities for the U.S. Navy," Textron Vice President Wayne Prender said.
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