Southern Command will operate Tsunamis USV and test autonomy systems
Textron Tsunami USVs, like the one shown here, will be used for US Southern Command Operations. (Textron)
Textron Systems announced, in a 30 April statement, that its Tsunami uncrewed surface vessels (USV) will be operated by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and its naval component, 4th Fleet, for three months.
“The craft were delivered in late April, with delivery occurring within three weeks from contract award,” Textron told Janes in a 12 May interview.
The current deployment is the first time Textron's USV has been delivered to SOUTHCOM for operations in the command's area of responsibility, besides the US Navy (USN) Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercise in Key West, Florida, the company told Janes.
Textron confirmed a contract award from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to “produce and deliver” Tsunami USVs for SOUTHCOM operations, the company explained in its April press release.
The specific model delivered is the Tsunami 25 Long Dwell Interceptor variant, the company told Janes.
The command declined to discuss with Janes the number of USVs delivered, but a SOUTHCOM spokesperson told Janes the command “will continue to evaluate the potential integration of Tsunami USVs into future operations as appropriate”.
Prior to the three-month deployment, the Tsunami participated in a US Navy (USN) Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercise in Key West, Florida, which concluded on 30 April.
Textron explained in a 30 April statement that during FLEX 2026 the Tsunami demonstrated “cooperative intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance and targeting (ISR-T)” with the company's Aerosonde 4.7 vertical and takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) from a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
Footage released by 4th
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