Brunswick Corporation has announced a collaboration with Textron Systems to support the development and deployment of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for US defense operations.
The partnership follows a contract award to Textron Systems from the Defense Innovation Unit. Under the agreement, Brunswick will supply vessels, propulsion systems and onboard technologies for the Tsunami uncrewed surface vessel platform.
The Tsunami USVs were recently used during the US Navy’s Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercise held in Key West, Florida, in late April. The vessels are also set to support three months of joint operations with United States Southern Command and the United States Fourth Fleet.
Designed as small, low-cost, rapidly deployable systems, Tsunami USVs are intended to meet growing demand within the US Navy for flexible autonomous platforms capable of supporting multiple mission types.
Brunswick said its contribution includes vessel platforms, Mercury Marine propulsion systems and Navico Group electronics and electrical systems. The companies have worked together to integrate Textron Systems’ autonomy technology into the platform, creating a modular and scalable solution that can be adapted into different variants.
Dave Foulkes, the CEO of Brunswick Corporation, said, “Brunswick, the world’s largest recreational marine technology supplier and boat manufacturer, with a large US manufacturing base, brings together a broad portfolio of boats, propulsion, advanced marine electronics and control systems into a unique integrated package, and we’re applying that capability to help enable the next generation of assisted and autonomous capabilities on the water.
“We’re proud to support Textron Systems and the US government with commercially proven and rapidly scalable platforms and technology that can be quickly deployed to accelerate experimentation, learning and operational readiness.”
The collaboration reflects increased focus on uncrewed maritime systems as defense organizations seek to expand operational flexibility while reducing costs and deployment times.
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