On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during the 46th Modern Day Marine 2026 (MDM) trade show at MCB Quantico in Virginia, U.S. company Textron Systems Corporation, part of Textron Inc., and its subsidiary Howe & Howe Inc. unveiled the Ripsaw M1 unmanned ground vehicle technology demonstrator fitted with launchers for loitering munitions/interceptor drones.
Photo: Textron Systems Corporation
The Ripsaw M1 was designed to support U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) missions involving mobility in littoral areas and manned-unmanned teaming concepts of operations (CONOPS).
The M1 technology demonstrator is the latest iteration of the Ripsaw family of unmanned ground platforms, developed by the company around a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), demonstrating the capabilities and scalability of the unmanned vehicle family. The technology demonstrator is the first variant in the M1 line of vehicles, designed as a robotic force multiplier for the ARV-30 wheeled armored reconnaissance vehicles – competing offerings from General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems are currently undergoing testing – and Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs), as part of the Force Design 2030 restructuring effort.
According to the manufacturer, the Ripsaw M1 unmanned combat vehicle can support missions such as countering unmanned aircraft systems, as well as reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. It can also serve as a platform for launching loitering munitions. The vehicle is intended to extend the range and lethality of the Marine Corps’ existing weapon systems in order to protect personnel as well as heavier and more expensive ground vehicles.
“The M1 technology demonstrator shows the art of the possible for how UGVs can support the Marine Corps’ missions,” said Vice President of Programs, Sara Willett. “Along with Howe & Howe, we took our experience in autonomous robotic systems across land, air and sea – the same domains the Marine Corps’ missions live – to develop this system that demonstrates our ability to scale the SWAP up or down, all while maintaining the common robotic core that enables our UGVs to provide exceptional transportability and battlefield agility.”
With decades of experience in unmanned systems and millions of operational hours across multiple domains, Textron Systems continues to draw on its extensive expertise to deliver reliable, mission-ready innovation. Committed to advancing modular, autonomous technologies that enhance warfighter effectiveness, Textron Systems continues to shape the future of unmanned ground operations.
Press release
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