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Textron Systems RIPSAW M5


Modular Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) [ 2025 ]



The Textron RIPSAW M5 evolves the RIPSAW line to a more modern unmanned battlefield solution with modularity at the center of the design.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/13/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
As the battlefield advances with each passing conflict, the use of unmanned vehicles in the air, on land, and in the sea expands. Textron Systems has unveiled its latest RIPSAW evolution, the "RIPSAW M5" - and unmanned tank for future warfare, a multi-mission development with versatility and future growth in mind. The vehicle was revealed at Eurosatory 2022 announcing availability to the international market.

Looking very much the part of an Inter-War light tank design, the M5 promises enhanced mobility combined with modularity and lethality all the while not risking crew to direct Line-of-Sight (LoS) fire. The tank utilizes a three-bogie, six-wheeled track-and-wheel arrangement for traversing cross-country and paved roads with equal efficiency. As the design is inherently modular, the chassis / hull can accept various mission-oriented components including a 360-degree, fully-traversing powered turret.

Available turrets can field a medium-class anti-armor automatic cannon, "Javelin" Anti-Tank, Guided-Missile (ATGM) launcher, or air defense automatic cannon depending on mission requirement. Even with this structure in place, the vehicle retains a light and compact profile making it air-, rail-, and truck-transportable. Beyond this, the hull supports various other battlefield attachments including route-clearing, breaching, mine plow, and radar.

The tank comes in a light-class and medium-class form, weighing 7.5 tons and 10.5 tons, respectively. The light chassis can reach speeds of 45 miles-per-hour on paced surfaces and carry a payload of up to 3,000lb. Comparatively, the medium chassis has a road speed maximum of 40 mph with an 8,000lb payload capacity.

The onboard powerpack (of diesel-hybrid electric design) allows the vehicle to keep pace with the main fighting force, acting as a sort of wingman to front line units entering contested areas. A proven interface with wireless connection allows communication from the drone to operators. The armor scheme is modular to deal with evolving threats.

The SUMIT 360 optics set houses Electro-Optical (EO) and InfraRed (IR) vision devices in a 360-degree turret for maximizing situational awareness. This is coupled with the 280HD component to clearly identify threats-at-range, reducing collateral damage. To further the tactical value of the system, the M5 houses, deploys and collects the small Teledyne FLIR SUGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) unit - a compact, tracked electrically driven camera-equipped "tankette". This tankette is given 1,000 meters of range from the launch vehicle and can use in more confined spaces, also clearing the path for the mothership unit by reconnoitering the terrain ahead.©MilitaryFactory.com
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Specifications



Textron Systems - USA
Manufacturer(s)
United States (possible)
Operators National flag of the United States
2025
Service Year
Untied States
National Origin
In-Development
Project Status
0
(UNMANNED)
Crew
5
Units


ANTI-AIRCRAFT / AIRSPACE DENIAL
Base model or variant can be used to search, track, and neutralize airborne elements at range.
ANTI-TANK / ANTI-ARMOR
Base model or variant can be used to track, engage, and defeat armored enemy elements at range.
ENGINEERING
Onboard systems provide solutions to accomplish a variety of battlefield engineering tasks.
INFANTRY SUPPORT
Support allied ground forces through weapons, inherent capabilities, and / or onboard systems.
TANK-VS-TANK
Engage armored vehicles of similar form and function.
RECONNAISSANCE
Can conduct reconnaissance / scout missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, et al - typically through lightweight design.
UTILITY
General utility-minded design to accomplish a variety of battlefield tasks, typically in a non-direct-combat fashion.
SPECIAL PURPOSE
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.


TRACK-AND-WHEEL
Vehicle utilizes a track-and-wheel arrangement to provide enhanced cross-country travel capability.
PRIMARY TURRET
A modern tank quality, this vehicle sports its main armament in a single turret, typically traversable with an elevation capability in-built.
REMOTE WEAPON STATION (RWS)
Vehicle supports a remote-operated weapons station, reducing crew exposure to outside dangers.
TRAVERSABLE MAIN ARMAMENT
Armament is situated in a traversing component, allowing for all-around engagement of enemy threats regardless of the vehicle's facing.
CROSS-COUNTRY TRAVERSAL
Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.
SHALLOW GLACIS PLATE
The shallow design of the glacis plate provides the vehicle with inherent ballistics protection as well as contributes to a lower overall profile - making it more difficult to disable.
NIGHT VISION
Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.
ANTI-AIRCRAFT / AIR-DEFENSE
System is given an anti-aircraft defense component to protect itself from low-flying aerial threats at range.
ANTI-TANK
Onboard solution provides ability to neutralize armored or fortified targets at range through missile or penetrating ballistic weapons.
ANTI-INFANTRY
Vehicle features an in-built anti-infantry capability for local defense of the vehicle or general troop suppression.
REMOTE WEAPON STATION (RWS)
Vehicle supports an unmanned weapons station controlled remotely from within the safety of the vehicle.
INHERENT VERSATILITY
Vehicle's proven running gear and overall makeup lends itself well to fulfill other battlefield roles by way of specialized designs.


15.6 ft
(4.75 meters)
Length
8.0 ft
(2.44 meters)
Width
5.0 ft
(1.51 meters)
Height
16,535 lb
(7,500 kg)
Weight
8.3 tons
(Light-class)
Tonnage


1 x Diesel-Electric hybrid powertrain driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement.
Drive System
45 mph
(72 kph)
Road Speed


Variable: mission set includes anti-aircraft / anti-tank automatic cannon and Anti-Tank, Guided-Missile (ATGM) launcher (Javelin-class).
AMMUNITION
Dependent upon armament fit.


RIPSAW M5 - Base Series Designation.
M5 LIGHT - 7.5 ton combat weight; compact dimensions; 45 mph road speeds; 3,000lb payload capacity.
M5 MEDIUM - 10.5 ton combat weight; enlarged dimensions; 40mph road speeds; 8,000lb payload capacity.


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Images



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Image of the Textron Systems RIPSAW M5
Image from official Textron Systems marketing materials.

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