AUSA 2019: TEXTRON Systems debut their Ripsaw M5 unmanned system

Nelson Fisk, Principal Analyst at Jane's talks to Michael Howe, Senior Vice Executive and Sean Baity, Technical Director, UxS, at TEXTRON Systems about their Robotic Combat Vehicle shown for the first time at AUSA 2019.
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[@CHUUMPASS]

the Howe brothers have come along way with their innovative equipment.

[@MisfitRecords]

Yea where's his brother tho

[@44Grimmace]

I miss their tv show

[@FarmerFpv]

@@MisfitRecords He is most likely in the shop testing new vehicles like they ways do, they don't have the time for both of them to leave the shop, it called being strategic, but little delicate flowers who always think the worse like you would think they broke up or something. Stop being so dramatic.

[@tyronewalker5764]

Didn't I see this on the see this on the Discovery channel?🤔

[@thetycoon1947]

Everyone is a gangster until a hacked robo tank starts to shoot up your city.

[@louiswager2629]

lol, well put, I'm laughing but so damn true these days!

[@mihaiarmy666]

@Drakilicious And start to think,make plans,ambushing,blackmailing with killing civilians if we don't give and provide what they want...

[@islamispagan2137]

Terminator comes to life

[@stevendx6601]

Too many blabber mouths like Obama would air drop one 'mistakenly' over Iran and conveniently not arm it with ammo out of 'safety concerns' or some garbage? No thanks.

[@eskimo05w]

@@islamispagan2137 Who made this thing, Skynet?

[@masterofpuppets7295]

Skynet has a very big evil smile on his face after seeing this

[@raven3669]

This will do until producing the t800 😁

[@galihajat4352]

i'll be back

[@msnpassjan2004]

Haha, that would be Elon Musk's Starlink, already in production and orbit ! And this is exactly what it is designed to control, and self driving cars...

[@johnnyfavorite1194]

The Kitschy Terminator meme is the kitschiest of all Kitschy Memes. 😴😴😴

[@ChuckBeefOG]

Skynet? You mean Google and Facebook?

[@adamgardiner5869]

Not sure if u are aware but this thing is very MODULAR.

[@user936]

save my prediction for prosperity: The next big industry-wide thing will be Multi-Modular xD for when your modules need modules o_O

[@jdenmark1287]

and very engineer able

[@natheria4933]

like flex tape

[@nriqueog]

and SCALABLE.

[@Jan-mu6vs]

And you can take the turd off

[@BinkyTheElf1]

SkyNet achieved self awareness in October, 2019.... what’s the worst that could happen?

[@user936]

We've all seen those Dr Pepper adverts

[@mookins45]

it saw who was President and, redundant, autoterminated.

[@MegaLangosta]

I think these are remote control by humans.

[@DieselRamcharger]

@@mookins45 tell the robot we're safe from HRC

[@silvadossantos6803]

Take more time to conquer based on human ignorance and auto destructive behavior.

[@mcearl8073]

I remember when these guys had their own reality show. Good to see they are still around.

[@johnwayne2103]

I remember this guys show on cable. I was amazed at his engineering skills. Just amazing.

[@kennethmcrae1387]

I am extremely impressed with the capability and innovation in engineering of this combat vehicle. Well done.

[@danielburgess7785]

Driving through woods at 40 mph? Someone has never been in actual woods.

[@johny_mac]

I think he said quietly driving through the woods at 40 mph.

[@danielburgess7785]

@@johny_mac "silently creep through the woods up to speeds over 40 mph" I stand by my comment. 3:03

[@3879keith]

they will be in court full time for running over people's dogs....... lol....... oh did you get its modular..... lol

[@ryandecker5191]

i've done it lol i drive CANAM

[@danielburgess7785]

@@ryandecker5191 In "silent" mode?

[@6point8esspcee68]

Its really good to see the Howe brothers managed to sustain their business long enough to get the Ripsaw developed and into service! Congrats!

[@wilemelliott]

Did NOBODY listen to the briefing from Kyle Reese in Terminator?

[@andysmith5220]

Howe you are so onto something here with this platform. love the design. I wish all of you the best success. hard to believe how far you have come till now

[@danielrobinson2861]

I'm going to need a plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.

[@craigfisher3976]

just what you see here

[@beaker2000]

lol. but it is 40 megawatt range.

[@danielrobinson2861]

@@beaker2000 Are you sure, just watched the clip?

[@danielrobinson2861]

@@craigfisher3976 You can't do that... wrong.

[@StoneCoolds]

Those guys had come along way since the first model, seems like a cool concept, specially if it can perform multiple roles

[@governmentisslavery]

It's all cool tech, until it's coming for YOU.

[@TUHANbukanorangARAB]

Bad boys, bad boys what you're gonna do, what you're gonna do when IT come for you.

[@PSC4.1]

Drakilicious probably not, doesn’t fit through a door, even if it did, the gun still has a bit too much recoil, possibly knocking it over, unless it’s really heavy and won’t tip

[@daviddickey9832]

Where we're going, you better hope your own side has superior tech and more of it.

[@governmentisslavery]

@@daviddickey9832 Are you sure you know who the enemy is? Ephesians 6:12

[@daviddickey9832]

@@governmentisslavery The side that doesn't eat their own is usually a safe bet.

[@Onuiwa]

Finally! This is finally something the Army can use! It took Howe&Howe over a decade but they've learned their lessons, took in suggestions, refined their product's strengths and have delivered a product that looks like it'll fit perfectly into the US Army's future. The only gripe I have is the lack of descriptive words used in the sales pitch. They repeat themselves a few times but it's alright because these guys are engineers, not politicians.

[@guitarsword1]

Congratulations Mike . U and ur brother , the entire team deserve it. Ripsaw & Textron are a game changer.

[@robertholder5083]

It has a winch on the rear. Does it come with robot to hook it up or is that optional.

[@andrewgordon235]

So this thing drives alongside Abrams tanks to provide flanking cover?

[@user936]

Timothy Mckee you can't hide many Infanteers behind that thing :)

[@slapjack2000]

Always loved the ripsaw platform.. Best of luck guys. I remember seeing it for the first time on KZbin being built in a car garage. Not to mention it was in the G. I. Joe movie., 👍

[@unfortunateson1938]

Isn’t that suspension system obsolete when compared to modern torsion bar or hydro pneumatic suspension systems?

[@puffin51]

"It's a really unique platform. There's nothing else like it in the world." Why do alarm bells sound in my head when I hear those words?

[@judahboyd2107]

Because like three other countries just unveiled unmanned armored vehicles.

[@greensoplenty6809]

could it hold a turret or would that make it go about 20mph max?

[@ANonymous-bh1un]

*Jane's,* what is that suspension they have on the vehicle. That looks like alternating torsion bars (with the same part applied on both sides of the vehicle in opposite directions) but with massive bumb-stops and old-style bogies. Is that correct?

[@user936]

Someone else in the comments has mentioned something about horizontal volute spring suspension back from World War II or it resembling improved design from that concept.

[@ANonymous-bh1un]

@@user936 It's most definitely not HVS, as there are no horizontal springs between the two wheels on each bogey. It IS, however, a bogey system as you've got two wheels on a single arm - which is every much a throw-back to PRE-WWII designs. Since it's on an arm, it looks like it's a torsion bar system, but it could by a linear hydro-pneumatic system installed beneath the hull for all I know.

[@fabriglas]

Great has someone shot at it yet and did it survive? If there is solders near by and it shot at.. does it have a thermal or projectile event as a result? How far away does the foot solder need to be to be safe?

[@aaronbounds1336]

I remember the first iterations of this from Howe & Howe on TV a few years back. Well done on achieving a dream to make war fighting vehicles for the USA.

[@quickzilver333]

Did they use to be on a TV show years ago? They had a manned Ripsaw back then.

[@markwatters6875]

If anyone of them had said “modular system” once more and how it can be configured to what you want, I was gonna reach through the screen and start strangling! Annoying sales people with a rehearsed pitch.

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

"Modular" is like the new buzzword. The ye olde translation is assembled with removable fasteners, not riveted.

[@Kevin-fj5oe]

@@sergarlantyrell7847 i think you have different kind of modular

[@stevendx6601]

We have no idea what we are doing or how much money we can get out of you yet, that's called modular? Palm face. Been working on that for years you say? Any contractors that know what they can do for how much? A 13 year old could disable that thing with stuff probably in the closet. Assuming it doesn't get the first shot. Might be good for stationary guard duty or to hold the line during a retreat. Dependable? Hardly. They will get disabled, captured, reverse engineered etc. Sales people that leave details out like that are annoying. Takes money from real soldiers. You want to give a soldier a toy or a $20k roll of det cord? I like winning.

[@Kevin-fj5oe]

@@stevendx6601 to give an example of modular system, imagine a tactical vest that have molle webbing, you can attach different kind of Equipment or pouch that suit your needs, like a shotgun loadout, scout, sniper, rifleman, medic, to maximize efficiency by giving individual a system they most comfortable, in vehicle you can have the same base vehicle with different system without major retrofit, simplify logistic and maintance. you need ATGM ? Or 30mm chain gun ? Just pop one in. A good example is boxer APC, you can just pop different module for infantry setup or ifv setup without major retrofits or redesign. And about the need of expensive vehicle. yes, alone they are worthless because a gallon of gasoline will destroy them, but you put it alongside an infantry and other system, you have a major force multiplier, you could have a firepower of an IFV in a package as small as a city car.

[@joelau2383]

@@Kevin-fj5oe “modular system” means this product is not multiple roles. You have to change the module to do other jobs. For example, an IFV can provide support fire, armor protection, reconnaissance and ammo/equipment carrying functions for the troops. But how many UGVs and different modules are needed to take over the jobs of a single IFV? Are they really cheaper?

[@Bert2368]

Where do I need to hit it to kill the guidance and mobility systems?

[@44Grimmace]

I heard "Ripsaw" and the light in my brain went on. I miss watching the Howes television show

[@Mor4me]

This program started in there garage at that time it was a one man tank type dune buggy, nice to see in the biglige

[@bryanrussell6679]

Does anyone know if it's modular?

[@icewallowcome_daily9802]

how does it reloads itself after firing?

[@lukebuke34]

Google autoloader

[@ariscanete5863]

its chassis is similar to M3/M5 Stuart Light Tank with few modifications

[@Lord_Xonaz]

So can it take out a modern tank with that tiny cannon? Also can it survive a shell from an eneamy tank?

[@ewigesgermanien4174]

Is this running with electricity ONLY?

[@TheArtfulCorvidae]

Hey, it even has a little terminator skull painted on the side. Very forward thinking.

[@samualberhe7670]

Were did you have a plan to use ?

[@yeoshenghong4802]

How many ammo can it carry

[@Belidut76]

Hey, could they combine between IFV and Anti-Aircraft Gun Tank into one in UGCV? I mean… it's like BMPT-72 in unmanned variant or Uran-9 that mount gun and some multi-purpose missile to shoot land and aerial vehicles.

[@americanoutside]

An Amphibious version would be badass and air dropped into the battlefield since its essentially a drone.

[@TgamerBio5529]

Can it tell the difference between ally and enemies ?

[@franknabywaniec1438]

well it work after an EMP?

[@user-ri5oc5rw5b]

I think they have emp protection soo idk maybe soon

[@Adam-su2jj]

Next we'll see the hunter-killer drones.

[@ericericsson2181]

they already have them brother...

[@sunofshangoihate45thihated85]

Adam already exist you’re late

[@howtogaintime739]

Howe do you do?

[@michaeledwards2535]

I like it. How many can you fit on a C17? Can you make an amphibious version?

[@avnrulz]

I remember watching the show where these were originally built!

[@timmurphy5541]

Is the weight of a few humans very significant on the ground? If humans can't get inside how do they fix things? Where is the operator? How easily can it be jammed? Is it well protected or is the idea that protection is less important for Robots? Every design decision is a trade-off so where are the trade-offs here?

[@tragkfshnt]

Why’s the tank closely resembles like M-1 Sherman tank.

[@irongeneral7861]

It's M4 Sherman, and I get what you mean looking at the suspension.

[@theimmortal4718]

I feel like the armor needs to be more steeply sloped

[@smithnwesson990]

@@theimmortal4718 it's not worried about armour too much. I think the idea is send groups of these forward with dismounted infantry giving them a 30mm moving cannon that there's no driver to kill. The enemy will need to expose themselves to hit it with an RPG. That 30mm air burst round is lethal from pretty damn far. Imagine 12 of these rolling at you

[@theimmortal4718]

@@smithnwesson990 The biggest threat to these isn't RPGs. It's 30mm AP autocannon rounds being shot at them from 2000 meters. Sloped armor is crucial to deflecting these.

[@cirebonDab]

if they made this "man sized" or as big as an ATV with that silent 40mph cross country performance and an RWS with a 50BMG-40mm AGL combo.. that would be a real asset for a squad assaulting an urban battlefield

[@Alex-mb7in]

Дрон для поддержки пехоты, разведки, внезапной быстрой атаки, или кака друга концепция?

[@totalutternutter]

The effective modularity facilitates victoriousisation of the conflictification facilitating superior levels of trigger happiness

[@sc-no9uk]

Is it modular?

[@kyleross9134]

I knew the ripsaw would go far but not this far this fast

[@craigdiaz4143]

dude right? I used to watch videos of the guys that made this thing trying to get the GPS system to work right. Now their creation is in the military?!

[@MarchHare59]

Could use Kevlar skirts over the exposed track wheels and a chain-link cage around the turret to better resist RPGs.

[@ericericsson2181]

bro, good luck hitting any part of it, have you seen how fast they are? maybe 40 in the woods or dense forest, but out in the open... 70-80 easily, while taking hairpin corners like nothing...triangulating the one shot you did manage to get off, but missed, and returning fire, with multiple different weapon platforms, all the while ripping through what ever comes at it...

[@matthewbrooker]

Looks good from this sales pitch...BUT what is its survivability against, say, NLAW or RPG 7? Let alone 30mm etc?

[@TheTrueAdept]

It's basically part of a grander sensor net, which essentially means that whoever got that shot off better have a teleporter on his/her back because everyone else is going to be dropping rounds on that shooter's head pretty damn quick. Welcome to a battlefield where sensor density is literally 'yes'.

[@justrbloke]

The cost of one of these versus an Abrams, along with modern sensors, AI and drone swarm capabilities, large scale deployment of armed Ripsaw M5's could quickly overrun many defensive positions even while absorbing cost effective loses. "Disruptor" is right. Although not MBT's, squadrons of these things would be "Dominator" game changers.

[@nicoangelobado9913]

Howe & Howe Tech from humble chop shop featured in Discovery Channel now becoming a military hardware contractor. Woot woot.

[@rustyshackleford2723]

Interesting combat vehicles available to test and deploy now days. Game on!

[@dustinjones2137]

How secure is the network controlling it?

[@whitewolf6730]

How many .50 cal rounds will this thing take?

[@games4fun749]

Did they get the inspiration for the look of this from Cyberfrog ?

[@jordanthomas4379]

Can it forward rivers?

[@ozzy7763]

Seems like it would be a great asset for the 82nd Airborne. Especially since they have not had any direct fire support since the Sheridan was retired .

[@bencjr]

gonna need one here pretty soon.

[@relikvijarelikvija3719]

what if the enemy sprays all the optics with a spray canned drone?

[@NiteckterX]

Use its GPS to retreat to safety most likely, and get a soldier or another drone to perform maintenance.

[@mrkris6040]

Others: Robot tank Me: "PANZER BOT"

[@Defender78]

can it be a Wi-Fi hotspot ?

[@davez4064]

Yes Skynet thanks you for your contribution.

[@masterdanielm5821]

is this sale on black market?

[@TheSuperHybrid80]

one question is it modular ...

[@badguy1481]

Can they be tethered underneath a helicopter and just dropped off near a battle area? How about a Robotic Truck with for or 5 of these mounted like new cars on an auto delivery semi?

[@mikeborell2173]

when dose the new battle bots season air again?

[@charleshyde6461]

I've been following these guys for a long time and yes they are very capable. Looks like in the comments nobody knows about Howe and Howe tech. These guys are not playing around. They also built a one man personal tank that can fit through door ways. Swat teams love it.

[@nathanpatrick7094]

Look like it had either 25 to 30 mm but is it chaingun like Apache

[@danielwatters1203]

They said it was 30x173mm. That is far more powerful than the Apache's 30x113mm Chaingun. I'm guessing one of the Bushmaster II variants.

[@peterprovenzano9039]

It looks like the one they are fielding for the upgunned Strykers

[@ryomichael]

yeah, because nothing named "The M-5" ever went full HAL-9000 on it's crew, huh?

[@Bkings7]

It'll be that episode of star trek all over again

[@JinKee]

No disassemble!

[@williamfitzpatrick6369]

Does it have an engine? I didn't see it move.

[@mcearl8073]

william fitzpatrick it’s all electric so no, it would have motors. They are inside a building at a show, they can’t exactly rip it around the convention center.

[@aaronlopez3585]

Everything works to perfection before it brakes down.

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

You Mean Breaks...

[@danielhandika8767]

when it brakes it'll just stop

[@battleoid2411]

I mean, thats true of everything?

[@konata736]

tfw the video ends but you still hear the background voice.

[@stevestruthers6180]

Interesting. The vehicle shown in the video is roughly the same size as the M5 light tank that was used in the Second World War, has a main gun that fires a round that is just 7mm smaller in diameter but is much more powerful, has a bogie and suspension system that looks very similar, and it's called... wait for it... the M5. The M5 Ripsaw also looks like it's optimized for carrying out reconnaissance missions, and that's what the original M5 light tank was designed to do. Everything old is new again, with the exception of the robotic, semi-autonomous capabilities.

[@Cyberslug1]

I really miss their TV show

[@fishing4truth91]

Looks pretty awesome to me.

[@maxelsoro6292]

Ohh ripsaw m5 That gonna be a big upgrade for Stryker apc m3 Bradley and the JLTV to have a drone

[@armchairgeneral7557]

When he mention ac130, first thing I thought of was jltv companion.

[@SoCalFreelance]

The Fast and the Furious called, they want their movie prop back 😂

[@georgiag5840]

was never a prop, literally this company ripsaw made it for them. you can buy one of these for civlian usage without the gun and all, just like up ripsaw.

[@karthikvs9635]

It's built by Howe and Howe tech, same guys.

[@MisfitRecords]

..goddamn your dumb

[@eskimo05w]

It's got that WWII, Greatest Generation vibe. Check out the running gear. And the name "M5", like M5 Stuart.

[@emanuel1406]

Awesome , I hope they have armor for the ripsaw m5

[@mr.l6615]

I'd love to see that in action!

[@yfelwulf]

Its JEW S made meaning it will never be operational.

[@user936]

Israel has a track record that would disagree.

[@PsychRN84]

Eh, thing is about battery powered tanks is well...they only can go for a few hours before having a lengthy recharge period.

[@sirgraveson4568]

i like the turret, it looks like something you would see in a ww2 tank

[@zillthrill]

Wait, is this thing modular?

[@vicranger6876]

What is its Durability against heavy machine gun and RPG ? Are those multiple sensors all over the Ripsaw bulletproof ? Can the rollers and track withstand direct fire from 50 cal or RPG? If the answer to any of these questions is no, it is useless on the battle field. If your enemy only has small arm capability, like field rifle or pistol, only then would it be an advantage.

[@DustyKorpse]

It weighs 4tons, silence is a relative term when moving through terrain even with electric motors. Remote control death, friendly fire has never been so easy...

[@yfelwulf]

It has a jet engine to power the electric motors an old concept

[@mattbrody3565]

Yeah, an oldie... but a goodie. Turbine engines are unbelievably efficient in terms of their weight, and running as a generator means it can remain running at a constant ideal throttle regardless of what the vehicle's doing. It's an old concept because its advantages were apparent long ago, it just took awhile for the tech to be ready.

[@allangibson8494]

@@yfelwulf It also has a battery pack so it can move and fire without starting the engine.

[@ericb4127]

@@yfelwulf the idea goes back to porche and the tiger tank?

[@TimmyTheTimeTraveler]

It’s like the scorpion and scimitar’s newborn child 😂

[@renegaderebel2223]

Lol

[@rosedruid]

Forward field modularity might not be officially useful since the spares are likely in the depots anyways... but if you have one that got a blown turret and a different one that’s got a blown body then you can combine th to a solid whole ina few hours

[@fortusvictus8297]

Yeah, but is it modular?

[@theimmortal4718]

This truly is the future of armor

[@arielivanchenko4306]

Is this thing armored?

[@markjmaxwell9819]

Nice job guys Glad to see people pushing the boundaries. Excellent mobility and range as well as lethality. I'm impessed which is hard to do. I hope it's resistant to jamming. 😈😈😈😈😈

[@slappygilmore6070]

This is a cool vehicle. I would like one of these.

[@zylasuan1664]

Did anyone notice the interviewer guy is named Nelson fisk, just like the bad crimelord dude in the show daredevil on netflix?