Navy UISS Program Achieves Milestone C

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Textron Systems Corp. announced that
the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) program, which is based
on Textron’s Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), has achieved a Milestone C
decision. The decision allows the program to enter low-rate initial production
(LRIP), with the Navy planning to award three UISS systems to Textron under
their existing contract.

“The Textron and U.S. Navy teams have worked diligently
to reach this Milestone C decision,” said Wayne Prender, senior vice president
of applied technologies and advanced programs at Textron. “We recognize the
time on the water and dedication of the testing teams which enabled us to enter
this phase of the program.” 

UISS is the Navy’s first unmanned surface vehicle (USV)
program of record, designed for the demanding maritime environment. It provides
unmanned mine counter-measure and capabilities using interchangeable payloads
and advanced sensors.

UISS completed Navy developmental test and operational
assessment in November. The UISS is the first in the Navy’s USV portfolio to
reach this milestone. UISS is part of a comprehensive Mine Counter Measure
Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV) mission and is designed to be deployed from
the littoral combat ship and vessels of opportunity.

Textron is the prime contractor and system integrator
for the UISS and MCM USV programs. The company designed CUSV as a multi-mission
unmanned surface vehicle, capability of carrying multiple payloads including
side-scan sonar, mine neutralization, non-lethal weapons, and intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors.

Production will be completed at Textron’s Hunt Valley,
Maryland, and New Orleans locations.