Ripsaw M1: A multi-purpose RTK for the US Marine Corps

Ripsaw M1 RTK with launchers for Damocles UAVs

The American corporation Textron Systems and its companies continue to develop advanced military robotic systems. They recently unveiled a new example of this type—the Ripsaw M1. This time, it's a remotely controlled wheeled platform capable of carrying a variety of payloads, from reconnaissance assets to launchers for loitering munitions.

New addition to the family

The Ripsaw line has been developed by Howe & Howe Inc., a Textron Systems company, for over ten years. During this time, the family has evolved from civilian tracked demonstration vehicles to a fully-fledged military platform: the Ripsaw M3 and Ripsaw M5 variants have become widely known—the latter, in particular, was developed as a chassis for the US Army's RCV-L (Robotic Combat Vehicle - Light) program. The new Ripsaw M1 continues this line, but shifts it toward a lighter and more compact wheeled platform designed for reconnaissance and the use of light weapons, rather than full-fledged combat.

In late April, Howe & Howe and Textron participated in the Modern Day Marine Exposition 2026 conference, dedicated to the development of the U.S. Marine Corps. At the event, they debuted their new development—the Ripsaw M1 land-based RCV. A prototype with one of the payload variants was brought to the exhibition pavilion, and the project's current progress was revealed.

The Ripsaw M1 project aims to create a promising RTK for frontline units. It is planned to address three main objectives:

• detection of threats and the enemy before direct contact with him;
  
• the use of various weapons or similar systems;
  
• Reducing the risk to personnel by placing the scout forward: in the most dangerous areas, instead of a soldier, contact with the enemy—including with modern strike systems—is taken by the vehicle.
  

It is this third point that is worth emphasizing separately: a two-ton wheeled platform cannot have serious ballistic protection in principle, and this is not about armor, but about tactical logic. drone - replace a person in an area where the loss of equipment is preferable to the loss of people.

In this niche, the Ripsaw M1 is a direct competitor to the Estonian Milrem THeMIS platform, the German-Canadian Rheinmetall Mission Master, and a number of Israeli developments in a similar class—all of which feature lightweight, open-architecture unmanned chassis with interchangeable payload modules. The main difference with Textron's proposal is its emphasis on a wheeled rather than tracked undercarriage and tighter integration with its own range of loitering munitions.

Damocles UAV in ground-launch configuration

Wheeled platform

The Ripsaw M1, a promising RC system, is based on a two-axle, four-wheeled platform of the same name. It is a compact, self-propelled vehicle with remote and autonomous control. It can be equipped with various instruments, devices, and weapons systems; the composition of such equipment determines the system's tactical role.

The platform is built around a complexly shaped body with prominent wheel arches. All major components are housed internally, and the roof provides cargo space. The vehicle is medium-sized and fairly heavy:

• length - 10,5 feet (3,2 m);
  
• width - 5 feet (1,52 m);
  
• height (along the roof of the building) - 4 feet (1,2 m);
  
• Curb weight - 4300 lbs (1950 kg);
  
• payload - 2000 lb (908 kg).
  

The platform features a hybrid propulsion system. It comprises an internal combustion engine, batteries, and electric motors; the models and specifications of these components have not yet been disclosed. The chassis features large-diameter wheels with individual suspension. Both axles are steerable and feature automatic inflation.

The proposed power plant and chassis provide the following characteristics:

• maximum highway speed is 53 mph (85 km/h);
  
• economical speed on internal combustion engines is 20 miles per hour (32 km/h);
  
• battery range - 30 miles (48 km);
  
• The range using the internal combustion engine is not disclosed, but it is noted that it depends on the speed;
  
• turning radius - 7,5 ft (2,3 m);
  
• fording depth: 48 inches (1,22 m).
  

Two of these figures are worth highlighting. The first is the 2,3-meter turning radius: for a vehicle 3,2 meters long, this is remarkably small, and this is achieved precisely because both axles are steerable. In urban and island environments, typical of areas where Marine Corps units are likely to be deployed, this maneuverability provides a significant advantage over conventional four-wheeled vehicles with a single steering axle. The second figure is the 48-kilometer battery range: this isn't much for cruising, but for a strictly tactical mission—a reconnaissance vehicle quietly moving several kilometers ahead of an assault wave, surveying the area, and returning—it's more than sufficient. The internal combustion engine in the hybrid configuration effectively serves as the cruise engine and onboard generator, while immediately before contact, the vehicle switches to electric power, minimizing noise and thermal signature.

The Ripsaw M1 is equipped with a control system with both remote and autonomous modes. The platform is equipped with a forward-facing video camera for road monitoring, as well as an onboard computer and communications equipment. The machine can follow operator commands or autonomously follow a preset route. In this case, weapons are only used upon human command.

Payloads

The roof of the chassis has space for installing various payloads—combat modules, launchers, etc. A MOSA (Modular Open Systems Approach) interface is provided for connecting such devices. The concept is the same as that of competitors in the European and Israeli niches: a single chassis and interchangeable modules tailored to specific missions.

At a recent exhibition, a Ripsaw M1 prototype was displayed with a payload of launchers for light UAVs. Two such devices, each with four launch cells, were mounted on the roof, for a total of eight ready-to-launch UAVs. This installation is designed to fire UAVs/loitering munitions such as the Textron Damocles—a lightweight reconnaissance and attack vehicle developed by the company, launched from a tubular launcher and designed for both reconnaissance and the engagement of ground or surface targets tens of kilometers away. The design of the launchers allows for stowage on the roof of the hull in the stowed position and elevation to an inclined position for launch. It is also possible to mount other UAVs with similar characteristics.

A Textron Ripsaw M5 RTK with a combat module. The M1 system may also receive similar weapons.

The Ripsaw M1 can also carry weaponVarious remote-controlled combat modules can be installed, provided they meet the size and weight requirements. A number of modern modules fit within the 2-pound limit, allowing the RTK to be armed with machine guns, grenade launchers, or guided missiles. rockets.

For the Marine Corps - and around it

Textron Systems Corporation is planning to submit a new RTK to the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) and Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) competitions run by the US Marine Corps in the near future. While the former program appears to be a natural fit for the Ripsaw M1—the ARV is initially conceived as a reconnaissance and strike system with the ability to incorporate unmanned components—the ACV application requires some clarification.

The ACV program is designed to replace the company's aging amphibious armored personnel carriers (AAVs) with a fully amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Its primary contract is already being executed by an industrial consortium, and the vehicle itself, in terms of weight and dimensions, falls into a completely different category than Textron's light wheeled platform. Therefore, in this context, it's more logical to view the Ripsaw M1 not as a standalone candidate for the ACV role, but as a robotic appendage—a reconnaissance or strike "satellite" for the landing wave, capable of landing alongside infantry and operating ahead of the battle formation. If this interpretation is correct, Textron's bid for both competitions is an attempt to fill both niches with a single chassis: both as a standalone ARV and as an unmanned complement to the ACV.

The conclusions of the trials are still unknown. According to publicly available data from previous ARV rounds, General Dynamics with its own development and Textron itself with the Cottonmouth manned vehicle were among the contenders; the final list of finalists may differ. Given that Textron is simultaneously involved in both the manned and robotic segments, the M1 application is not so much an attempt to outbid its own project as a way to occupy a related niche: a reconnaissance drone alongside a manned reconnaissance vehicle.

In short, the Ripsaw M1 is Textron and Howe & Howe's bet on the light reconnaissance and attack vehicle niche, and its success depends less on the stated performance characteristics than on the Marine Corps' willingness to rethink the ARV concept toward robotics and accept unmanned forward-facing vehicles into its inventory. The platform's performance characteristics are generally adequate for this role; the key question is whether the customer will want this particular type of landing support vehicle.

Comments

[AlexSam]

Well done, Yankees. You read about their new developments and think: where are our miracle robots, constantly appearing in reports from arms exhibitions?

[Cool90]

Ground-based robotic systems (GRS) are increasingly being used to deliver food and ammunition to soldiers in special military operation areas where logistics are difficult.
The Kurier ground-based robotic systems (GRS) can fire, evacuate the wounded, install fire systems, and mine approaches.

Wonder robots are only at exhibitions and parades for now.

[AlexSam]

But you have to admit, the little guy is interesting on the big rinks. I can't say how survivable he'll be, since rubber tires are a so-so solution in real combat, but as a concept, I liked it. In urban combat, such a thing with a bunch of missiles on board could cause a lot of trouble.

[Cool90]

What can I say, the NTRK Courier is in widespread use, and weapons and even missiles are installed on it.

and the American ones are only at exhibitions and parades for now

"The High-Precision Systems holding company of the Rostec state corporation has delivered a batch of Depesha drones to the troops. These are multifunctional, remote-controlled platforms on a wheeled chassis. The vehicles are equipped with special modules and were manufactured under a state defense contract."

Before jumping to conclusions about who's a good guy, you should at least familiarize yourself with the issue.

[BOCTOBER 77]

The General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces has no concept for using robots in modern combat. It doesn't even have a concept of Modern Combat. It's interesting how one can wage Modern Warfare without a concept of Modern Combat. How can one fight in the Middle East Military District without a concept of Modern Warfare? The Middle East Military District is some kind of bacchanalia, an example of how not to fight. And how can one formulate the necessary performance characteristics for a government contract in this case? Robots don't fight alongside people; they fight in their stead. And robotic mechanization systems aren't robots. And platforms with corded controls that a soldier follows aren't robots either... Read the Russian folk tale: "Go there, I don't know where. Bring that, I don't know what."

[Cool90]

So, no one in the world has a concept for using robots in modern combat, but in Russia, the Kurier NTRK is widely used in the SVO and concepts are being developed, while in the US, robots are only used at exhibitions and parades, and for show.

As the conflict in the Middle East has shown, the US and Israel, for example, lack even the concept of Modern Warfare. It's interesting how one can wage Modern Warfare without having a concept of Modern Warfare. How can one fight Iran and Hezbollah without having a clue about Modern Warfare? The war with Iran and Hezbollah is some kind of bacchanalia, an example of how not to fight. US satellites and drones reconnoiter but see nothing, while Iran calmly fires missiles and drones.

Robots that fight instead of people are currently only found in movies.

And this fairy tale perfectly characterizes the US and Trump: the EU tells Trump to open the Strait, and he goes and closes it too, they do God knows what and defeat Iran 10 times a day

[BOCTOBER 77]

We can't have miracle robots. The author of the article misplaces the emphasis and doesn't address the essence of the problem. The use of such systems relies on readily available and reliable satellite communications, including real-time data and image transmission channels. We lack the information field without which the use of such devices and long-range reconnaissance UAVs is impossible. And although the requirements for creating such an information field—or, more precisely, surveillance, detection, and targeting systems—were formulated in the Russian Federation Military Doctrine of 2014, no one intended to implement them or even read them. Why do you think Ukrainian Armed Forces UAVs fly to us with impunity? Because someone isn't regularly fulfilling their job responsibilities and the requirements of regulatory documents, and they bear no responsibility for it. So, the army's leadership is also experiencing a systemic crisis...

[Cool90]

Our miracle robots: Ground-based robotic systems (GRS) are increasingly being used to deliver food and ammunition to soldiers in special military operation areas where logistics are difficult.
The Kurier ground-based robotic systems (GRS) can fire, evacuate the wounded, install fire systems, and mine approaches.

[Lynx2000]

height (along the roof of the building) - 4 feet (1,2 m);
...
fording depth: 48 inches (1,22 m)

Does this platform have a retractable air intake snorkel for the internal combustion engine?

Due to the fact that both axles are steerable, in urban and island environments, typical of areas where marine units are likely to be deployed, this maneuverability provides a significant advantage over conventional four-wheeled vehicles with a single steering axle.

An extra control unit on the rear axle means more breakdowns...
It is not more convenient to use the so-called "tank turn" that is now "fashionable" on SUVs.

Immediately before contact, the vehicle switches to electric traction with minimal noise and thermal signature.

Doesn't the traction battery get hot?

[GRIG88]

It's scary to imagine where we would be if it weren't for nuclear weapons...