Ripsaw (vehicle)
Developmental unmanned ground combat vehicle series by Howe & Howe Technologies.
The Ripsaw is a family of experimental unmanned ground combat vehicles developed by Howe & Howe Technologies, now a part of Textron Systems, for potential use by the U.S. Army. The Howe brothers began working on the Ripsaw as a small family endeavor in 2000. They debuted it at a Dallas vehicle show in 2001, where it attracted the attention of the U.S. Army. Later that same year, the military ordered a prototype MS-1 to be built and sent to Iraq. The vehicle is designed for a range of tasks, such as protecting convoys, securing perimeters, conducting surveillance, performing rescues, patrolling borders, managing crowds, and handling explosive ordnance disposal. For crowd control or perimeter defense, a belt of M5 crowd control munitions (MCCM) can be mounted around the vehicle, delivering less-lethal effects like flash-bangs and rubber bullets. Cameras offer the operator a full 360-degree view for situational awareness.
The Army has tested the Ripsaw while a soldier in another armored vehicle controlled it remotely from up to 1 kilometer away. Its weapon system is adapted for remote firing through the Advanced Remote Armament System (ARAS), a self-loading gun that can switch between different ammunition types—including lethal and less-lethal rounds—in just a few seconds. These features allow manned vehicles to send the Ripsaw ahead and engage targets without putting soldiers in harm’s way. As of March 2017, the Army was still evaluating the vehicle as an unmanned platform to test remote-controlled weapon stations.
In October 2019, Textron and Howe & Howe unveiled the Ripsaw M5 vehicle, and on January 9, 2020, the U.S. Army awarded them a contract under the Robotic Combat Vehicle-Medium (RCV-M) program. Four Ripsaw M5 prototypes were to be delivered and tested at the company level in late 2021 to see if unmanned vehicles could be integrated into ground combat operations. The M5 can reach speeds over 40 mph, weighs 10.5 tons in combat configuration, and has a payload capacity of 8,000 pounds. It is armed with a Mk44 Bushmaster II cannon and two anti-tank guided missiles. Its standard armor can withstand 12.7×108mm rounds, and optional add-on armor can bring its weight up to 20 tons. If disabled, the vehicle retains the ability to fire, with its sensors and radio uplink prioritized to keep transmitting as its primary function.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Designer
- Howe & Howe Technologies
- Manufacturer
- Textron Systems
- Produced
- 2009–present
- Variants
- MS1 (unmanned); MS2 (driver optional)
- Weight
- 9,000 lb / 4,082 kg
- Height
- 70 in / 1.78 m
- Crew
- Up to 2 in manned variants
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Ripsaw began as a family project by the Howe brothers in 2000. After its debut at a Dallas vehicle show in 2001, the U.S. Army ordered a prototype MS-1 for shipment to Iraq. The vehicle is designed for missions such as 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 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. The Army tested the Ripsaw while remote-controlled by a soldier in another armored vehicle up to 1 km away. Its weapon system uses the Advanced Remote Armament System, a gun that loads its own ammunition and can swap between lethal and less-lethal types in seconds. These capabilities allow manned vehicles to send the Ripsaw out in front and engage targets without exposing soldiers to threats. As of March 2017, the Army was still testing the vehicle as an unmanned platform to test remote controlled weapon stations. In October 2019, Textron and Howe & Howe unveiled the Ripsaw M5, and on 9 January 2020, the U.S. Army awarded a contract for the Robotic Combat Vehicle-Medium program. Four Ripsaw M5 prototypes were to be delivered and used in a company-level test in late 2021. The Ripsaw was reported to have been selected to continue with the RCV program, but development was stopped in May 2025.
Reader's Guide
The Ripsaw series represents a significant step in the U.S. Army's exploration of unmanned ground combat vehicles. Its development from a small family project to a contracted prototype for the Robotic Combat Vehicle-Medium program illustrates the military's growing interest in remote and autonomous platforms. The vehicle's ability to be controlled from up to 1 km away, combined with a weapon system that can rapidly switch between lethal and less-lethal ammunition, offers a way to reduce soldier exposure to direct threats. The Ripsaw M5, with its Mk44 Bushmaster II and anti-tank guided missiles, was designed to test the feasibility of integrating unmanned vehicles into company-level ground combat operations. However, despite being selected to continue with the RCV program, development was halted in May 2025. The Ripsaw's legacy includes multiple variants—from the early MS1 test platform to the luxury EV2 and the all-electric M5—each contributing to the understanding of how unmanned systems can be used in military and civilian contexts. Its modular design and field-cannibalization capability for the MS2 variant also highlight practical considerations for sustainment in combat environments.
Did You Know?
- The Ripsaw MS1 could accelerate from 0 to 65 mph in 3 seconds.
- The Ripsaw MS2 can be optionally manned or tele-operated from a nearby command vehicle.
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