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Ripsaw M5 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV)

The RIPSAW M5 features an open architecture, is scalable with commonality between the RCV-L and RCV-M, and has a flat deck made to carry payloads of up to 8,000 lbs. The Real-Time Situational Awareness (RTSA) Sensor Technologies provided by FLIR give soldiers the visibility and tools needed to complete any mission.

Bringing together speed of innovation and proven program execution, the RIPSAW M5 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) is ready for the fight. Team Ripsaw offers a low risk schedule, proven safety certifications for multiple robotic platforms and leverages multiple years of successful unmanned system and robotics integration at the tactical edge; multi-domain intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); world-class intelligent sensors; and manufacturing of combat-proven technologies. Ripsaw M5 is the 5th generation of Ripsaw providing speed, mobility and unmanned capability. The M5 can silently maneuver and keep pace with the current and future maneuver forces, pushing capabilities beyond the human formation.

RIPSAW M5 is the 5th generation of RIPSAW providing speed, mobility and unmanned capability. The M5 can silently maneuver and keep pace with the current and future maneuver forces, pushing capabilities beyond the human formation. Designed with an open architecture, scalable with commonality between RCV-L and RCV-M and a flat deck to accommodate a variety of payloads, the M5 can be tailored for the mission.

The SUMIT 360 provides seamless EO and IR image composites for 360-degree situational awareness for remote vehicle operations. Open architecture supports Artificial Intelligence to detect and identify objects surrounding vehicle. Based on low-cost technology matured for the automotive industry making this an affordable DVE solution.

Uses the R80D SkyRaider UAS for persistent flight and target detection and identification. Configurability between tethered and untethered modes enables a user to decide how best to use the system, based on mission needs. Incorporates one of the fastest, most powerful embedded AI computing devices available on an sUAS for target ID at the edge.

The 280HD gimbal allows operators to really reach out and positively ID threats, providing even greater standoff distance than if using only a tethered UAS. Built-in AI to help identify threats at maximum distance, giving troops a tactical edge.

With curious minds and a knack for creating, twin brothers Geoffrey and Michael Howe have always pushed each other to think outside the box. The first RIPSAW® vehicle was a revolutionary concept that emerged from wanting to build the fastest tracked vehicle in the world. Looking for an impactful way to support our country after the devastation of the 9/11 attacks on U.S. soil, the Howe brothers leveraged their RIPSAW platform to build an advanced unmanned ground vehicle equipped to safeguard our troops on the battlefield.

The Howes entered their RIPSAW vehicle into the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge prequalification demo in 2005 with the goal of accelerating research and development of the platform. As an underdog, the Howes’ forward-thinking mentality set them apart. Although successful in pre-qualification, the duo was just starting out and unable to afford the travel required to participate in the next phase.

One year later, the Howes were approached to participate in the DC Auto Show. With little money and reliance on a team of volunteers, the Howes were determined to leverage this opportunity to turn their idea into a reality. The RIPSAW drew a lot of attention as the only tracked vehicle on display, which played a pivotal role in kickstarting their relationship with the U.S. Army.

Committed to pushing the art of the possible, the Howes continued to collaborate with innovators inside and outside of the government. They wanted to ensure their platform would keep the U.S. at the forefront of the future. The two worked with Army leaders to secure their first contract with the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) in 2007. This allowed continued investment in emerging technologies to help take the RIPSAW vehicle to the next level.

On October 14, 2019 Textron Systems, a business of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), its Howe & Howe subsidiary and FLIR Systems, Inc. debuted the Ripsaw® M5 during the 2019 AUSA Annual Meeting. As the Team Ripsaw offering for the U.S. Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program, Ripsaw M5 delivers aggressive mobility and modularity for multiple missions. This combination, along with teammates having decades of proven robotics and unmanned systems experience, results in a low-risk, ready-now solution.

Based on Howe & Howe’s deep knowledge of purpose-built ground vehicles, Team Ripsaw has designed the M5 for high speed and superior mobility in the most rugged terrains and weather. This fifth-generation robotic combat vehicle platform combines scalable armor, suspension and drive options to meet a variety of mission demands. The team has invested up-front in key technologies to demonstrate that the Ripsaw M5 is mission ready to provide the U.S. Army confident execution with uncompromising technology, including real-time situational awareness systems, remote weapons stations and terrain engagement systems.

“My brother Geoff and I founded Howe & Howe with the single, clear objective of safeguarding our nation’s warfighters,” notes Senior Vice President Mike Howe. “This drive led us to develop the fastest tracked vehicle in the world, and we’ve applied that same spirit and purity of innovation to the Ripsaw M5.”

The support of FLIR Systems bridges the gap for the Ripsaw M5 system to quickly achieve the Army’s objective of unmanned operations, alongside Textron Systems’ longstanding autonomy and armored vehicle design, production, training and logistics experience.

“Incorporating our world-class intelligent sensors and unmanned assets on the Ripsaw M5 will provide a leap-ahead technology solution for the Army,” said David Ray, President of FLIR Systems’ Government and Defense business unit. “From cameras delivering 360-degree situational awareness to surveillance gimbals, tethered drones and ground robots, we’ll give our troops a tactical edge by keeping them on technology’s edge.”

“Bringing together Howe & Howe, Textron Systems and FLIR Systems really represents a dream team,” says President & CEO Lisa Atherton of Textron Systems. “We formed this team based on our shared focus to serve this customer with disruptive ideas and proven experience, and we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their requirements through the RCV program. We are confident that the Ripsaw M5 is their ideal wingman, and that we can get these vehicles out into the field where they need them – quickly.”

Team RIPSAW (Textron Systems, Howe & Howe, and FLIR Systems) was honored to support the U.S. Army’s Soldier Operational Experiment (SOE) at Fort Carson on August 6. At the event, Army personnel had a chance to view the RIPSAW® M5 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV). We were able to demonstrate the progress made in the RCV program to Army leadership and show that M5 RCV will deliver purpose-built, game-changing capability.