January 26, 2026 (Global) – Textron Systems has unveiled its fifth-generation Multi-Mission Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MMUSV) — a significant leap forward in autonomous naval capability that delivers doubled payload capacity and extended mission range compared with earlier designs. The new MMUSV is built on the company’s proven Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) architecture and expands operational flexibility for a range of maritime missions, including surface warfare, mine countermeasures (MCM), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and signals intelligence (SIGINT).
The redesigned vessel boosts both fuel and payload capacity to approximately 13,000 pounds, roughly twice what previous generations could support, while providing enhanced endurance tailored to long-duration operations at sea. It is also engineered for durability and survivability in demanding environments up to Sea State 5, and features a towing capability exceeding 4,000 pounds — enabling it to support additional mission systems or equipment.
A key feature of the fifth-generation MMUSV is its positioning as a low-cost, rapid-production solution for naval forces such as the U.S. Navy and allied partners. Drawing on more than four decades of experience in autonomous vehicle systems, Textron Systems has tailored the design to meet evolving requirements for unmanned naval platforms that can perform a broad spectrum of duties without placing a high demand on traditional manned assets.
The vessel’s expanded capabilities are underpinned by Textron’s award of the Low-Cost Unmanned Maritime Solution (Large) development contract in 2025, which supports its production and delivery under the Expeditionary Mission Consortium-Crane (EMC2) initiative. This positioning underscores industry and defense interest in leveraging autonomous surface platforms to augment fleet effectiveness while controlling lifecycle costs.
Industry observers view the MMUSV as a versatile addition to modern naval operations, offering a balance of endurance, payload flexibility and affordability that is increasingly sought after in contemporary maritime strategy. Its adaptability across mission sets – from ISR to surface combat support – reflects broader trends toward unmanned surface systems as force multipliers in contested and complex maritime environments.
Key Highlights
- Textron Systems introduces the fifth-generation MMUSV, expanding its uncrewed surface vessel lineup for naval missions.
- The new platform offers twice the fuel and payload capacity of earlier designs, supporting up to ~13,000 pounds.
- Engineered for survivability up to Sea State 5 and towing capacity above 4,000 pounds, the vessel suits extended endurance missions.
- Positioned as a low-cost, rapid production solution for the U.S. Navy and allied naval forces.
- Suitable for a wide range of roles, including surface warfare, mine countermeasures and ISR.
