Textron Systems delivers Cottonmouth ARV to US Marine Corps

Textron Systems Corporation has delivered Cottonmouth, a vehicle purpose-built for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program. 

Created to serve as a Naval Sensor Node supporting expeditionary operations, the Cottonmouth vehicle will provides lightweight multi-modal capability for the US Marines.

A multi-domain command and control suite integrated into the vehicle as part of the C4UAS Mission Role Variant will allow it to coordinate data and serve as the quarterback, or battlefield manager, for the modern battlefield.

According to the company, the amphibious 6×6 platform is equipped for sustained reconnaissance with organic unmanned systems capabilities and multi-spectrum sensors to provide seamless communication between the U.S. Navy and US Marine Corps.

“The Cottonmouth vehicle’s smaller footprint allows rapid transport of four vehicles on a Ship-to-Shore Connector (LCAC-100). Supporting the mission of a mobile scout vehicle, the easy-to-deploy platform swims in open ocean and navigates littoral water obstacles such as bays, estuaries, rivers, light surf and handles any terrain,” Textron Systems stated.

“Because of its smaller size, the Marines can quickly deploy next generational combat power to the fight and lets commanders meet any mission anywhere,” said David Phillips, Senior Vice President, Land and Sea Systems.

The prototype is the second iteration of the vehicle informed by lessons learned from an original Alpha prototype vehicle and approximately 3,000 miles of testing.

Textron Systems’ Cottonmouth vehicle has completed contractor verification testing of its mobility, swim capability, vetronics integration and C4UAS mission capabilities. 

In addition to the delivery of the fully integrated ARV platform, the company also delivered a blast hull to the Aberdeen Test Center and a systems integration lab (SIL) to the Naval Information Warfare Center-Atlantic, both of which have been undergoing government evaluation and testing.

The prototype vehicle now enters its formal government evaluation phase, expected to last through 2023.