Ripsaw (vehicle)

The Ripsaw is a developmental unmanned ground combat vehicle designed and built by Howe & Howe Technologies for evaluation by the United States Army.[1] Howe & Howe Technologies was purchased by Textron Systems in December 2019.[2]

Ripsaw
TypeUnmanned ground vehicle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerHowe & Howe Technologies
ManufacturerTextron Systems
Produced2009–present
VariantsMS1 (unmanned), MS2 (driver optional)
Specifications
Mass9,000 lb (4,100 kg)
Height70 in (180 cm)
ArmorNone (aluminum frame)
EngineDuramax V8 engine
750 hp (760 PS; 560 kW)
Payload capacity2,000 lb (910 kg)
Suspension16 in (410 mm) travel
Ground clearance24 in (610 mm)
Maximum speed 65 mph (105 km/h)

The Howe brothers started the Ripsaw as a small family project in 2000. They introduced it at a Dallas vehicle show in 2001, where it caught the interest of the U.S. Army. Later that year the U.S. military ordered a prototype MS-1 to be made and shipped to Iraq.

The Ripsaw is intended to perform various missions including convoy protection, perimeter defense, surveillance, rescue, border patrol, crowd control, and explosive ordnance disposal. For perimeter defense or crowd control, a belt of M5 crowd control munitions (MCCM) can be mounted around the vehicle to break up crowds or engage personnel with less-lethal flash-bang effects and rubber bullets. Cameras provide 360-degree coverage for situational awareness for the operator.[3][4]

The Army has tested the Ripsaw while remote-controlled by a soldier in another armored vehicle up to 1 km (0.62 mi) away. Its weapon system is modified to fire remotely using the Advanced Remote Armament System (ARAS), a gun that loads its own ammunition and can swap out various types of ammunition, such as lethal and less-lethal, in just a few seconds. These capabilities allow manned vehicles to send the Ripsaw out in front of them and engage targets without exposing soldiers to threats.[5] As of March 2017, the Army was still testing the vehicle as an unmanned platform to test remote controlled weapon stations.[6]

In October 2019, Textron and Howe & Howe unveiled their Ripsaw M5 vehicle,[7] and on 9 January 2020, the U.S. Army awarded them a contract for the Robotic Combat Vehicle-Medium (RCV-M) program. Four Ripsaw M5 prototypes are to be delivered and used in a company-level to determine the feasibility of integrating unmanned vehicles into ground combat operations in late 2021.[8][9][10] It can reach speeds of more than 40 mph (64 km/h), has a combat weight of 10.5 tons and a payload capacity of 8,000 lb (3,600 kg).[11] The RCV-M is armed with a 30 mm autocannon and a pair of anti-tank missiles. The standard armor package can withstand 12.7×108mm rounds, with optional add-on armor increasing weight to up to 20 tons. If disabled, it will retain the ability to shoot, with its sensors and radio uplink prioritized to continue transmitting as its primary function.[12]

Variants
  • Ripsaw UGV (non-militarized) prototype could accelerate to 65 mph (105 km/h) in about 3.5 seconds, since it was lighter, but it wasn't as strong/rugged.
  • Ripsaw MS1 tactical UGV utilizes a powerful oversized and customized 600-horsepower (610 PS; 450 kW) Duramax 6.6L V8 diesel engine that delivers 900 ft⋅lbf (1,200 N⋅m) of torque.[13] The Ripsaw MS1 was a test platform made to test off-road capabilities. It was exclusively unmanned, cost $200,000 and could accelerate from 0–65 mph (0–105 km/h) in 3 seconds.[3][4]
  • Ripsaw MS2 UGV is made to be larger, faster, and more modular than the MS1. It weighs 4.5 short tons (4.1 t) and can carry a one-short-ton (0.91 t) payload. The lightweight tubular chassis design is powered by a 6.6 liter duramax diesel engine generating 600 horsepower (610 PS; 450 kW) and 1,000 ft⋅lbf (1,400 N⋅m) of torque. Fully loaded, the MS2 can accelerate from 0–50 mph (0–80 km/h) in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 60 mph (97 km/h). The vehicle can traverse 50-degree gradients and 45-degree slopes. It can be optionally manned or tele-operated from a nearby command vehicle. Armament can include an M240 machine gun or M2 .50-caliber machine gun, and it has been tested with the Javelin missile. If the Ripsaw is damaged or destroyed, parts can be "cannibalized" in the field and re-assembled quickly. An MS2 vehicle costs $750,000.[3][4]
  • Ripsaw MS3 UGV is being tested by United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command under the Remote Armed Maneuver Platform (RAMP) initiative to integrate the M153 CROWS remote weapon system onto an unmanned vehicle.[14] RAMP was demonstrated at Fort Benning, Georgia in October 2013 as part of the Army's Armed Unmanned Ground Vehicle (AUGV) program.[15]
  • Ripsaw EV2 is a luxury version, with a fully enclosed body and two seats inside the cab. It can exceed speeds of over 60 mph (97 km/h) and has a range of approximately 300 miles (480 km). It is currently unknown if the EV2 can mount remotely-operated weapon systems or not. This model is designed for the civilian market but still costs $295,000 with customizable features.[16]
  • Ripsaw M5 is fully autonomous, all electric tank with max speed up to 60 mph (96 km/h) with a modular design. This would make it as one of the fastest, most flexible production ready tank on the planet. Its speed and autonomous capability could enable the tank battle group to get out of a nuclear strike.[17]

See also

References
  1. Teel, Roger A. (16 July 2010). "Ripsaw demonstrates capabilities at APG". Army.mil. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  2. "Textron Systems buys unmanned vehicle developer Howe & Howe". Reuters. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019. the acquisition, which was finalised in December
  3. "Weaponized RipSaw-MS2 UGV Evaluated for Convoy Security & Support". Defense Update. 14 December 2009. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010.
  4. Goyal, Nidhi (25 September 2013). "A 9,000-Pound Tank That's Faster Than a Ferrari". Industry Tap. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  5. Vergun, David (6 May 2015). "Ripsaw could lead Soldiers into battle someday". Army.mil. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015.
  6. McGarry, Brendan (21 March 2017). "Army Still Testing Ripsaw, the 'Luxury Super Tank'". DefenseTech. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  7. Textron Rolls Out Ripsaw Robot For RCV-Light … And RCV-Medium. Breaking Defense. 14 October 2019.
  8. US Army picks winners to build light and medium robotic combat vehicles. Defense News. 9 January 2020.
  9. GVSC, NGCV CFT announces RCV Light and Medium award selections. Army.mil. 10 January 2020.
  10. Army Picks 2 Firms to Build Light and Medium Robotic Combat Vehicles. Military.com. 14 January 2020.
  11. Army Setting Stage for New Unmanned Platforms. National Defense Magazine. 10 April 2020.
  12. Meet The Army’s Future Family Of Robot Tanks: RCV. Breaking Defense. 9 November 2020.
  13. "Ripsaw MS1". Howe & Howe Technologies. Archived from the original on 30 December 2010.
  14. Olaverri, Alex M. RAMP NDIA Brief (PDF). Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2012.
  15. Gould, Joe (12 October 2013). "UGV models face off over firepower, load carrying". Army Times. Archived from the original on 27 January 2014.
  16. Coxworth, Ben (26 May 2015). "Howe and Howe unveils Ripsaw EV-2 "luxury tank"". New Atlas. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  17. Ripsaw M5 Electric Drive Super Tank. Howe & Howe Technologies. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019 – via YouTube.
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