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tems under their existing contract. The CUSV
performed its first demonstration in 2009
under the UISS developmental effort, which is
the Navy’s first USV programme of record. The
prime contractor and system integrator for the
UISS and MCM USV programmes is Textron
Systems. The UISS programme calls for the
development of a USV that can operate in a
demanding maritime environment, while under- [ UNMANNED TECHNOLOGIES ]
taking unmanned mine counter measure and
capabilities using interchangeable payloads
and advanced sensors.

A cooperative research and development
agreement between Naval Surface Warfare
Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) and
Textron Systems also covers the integration of
missile, designator, and remote weapon station
payloads to the CUSV which has 3,500-pound
payload capacity on the deck and a payload
bay measuring 20.5 x 6.5 feet. “If the decision
was made to outfit the CUSV with a variety of
payloads, it could be deployed from nearly any
large ship and could be deployed in significant
numbers from a U.S. Navy ship or a Joint High
Speed Vessel type platform to perform a variety
of roles,” said Chris Nerney, NSWCDD techni-
cal program manager for Unmanned Systems.
“We are focused on the Mine Countermeasures
Unmanned Surface Vehicle today because
it’s the Navy's only programme of record
unmanned surface vehicle platform. It’s also or Marine Corps decide to build big unmanned surface vehicles,
our concept of modular plug and play weapon we could scale the guns and missiles up. If the decision is to go
systems integrated onto a USV that can be with swarms of small USVs, then we could scale the system down
scaled up or down as appropriate. If the Navy accordingly.”

The first project was a Surface and Expeditionary Warfare Mission
Module with the ability to engage targets using a Longbow Hellfire
Missile.

"WE ARE CREATING A MODULAR SURFACE AND
EXPEDITIONARY WARFARE PAYLOAD WITH
A GUN AND A MISSILE WEAPON SYSTEM TO
BE EVALUATED FOR INTEGRATION ONTO THE
COMMON UNMANNED SURFACE VEHICLE,”
Kevin Green, NSWCDD technical lead for Ship-to-Shore
Precision Engagement Integration and Prototype.

“This payload could enable warfighters to counter fast attack craft
and fast inshore attack craft and it could provide ship-to-shore fire
support for expeditionary and special operations forces. It also
gives us a baseline development effort to operate and perform
further research and development.” The mission package would be
designed to slide into the CUSV modular mission bay and provide
a direct and indirect fire capability. “Our experience integrating
unmanned systems has taught us that the weapon systems must

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