The Ripsaw M5: A Game-Changer for the Future of Warfare

The US Army is always looking for ways to enhance its combat capabilities and gain an edge over its potential rivals. One of the most promising innovations that could revolutionize the future of warfare is the Ripsaw M5 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), a new unmanned ground vehicle developed by Textron Systems, Howe & Howe, and FLIR Systems. The Ripsaw M5 is not just another tank, but a fully electric and fully autonomous super tank that can outperform any existing armored vehicle in terms of speed, mobility, stealth, and firepower.

The Ripsaw M5 is based on a commercial vehicle platform of Howe & Howe, which is also featured in some Hollywood movies such as Fast and Furious 8 and G.I. Joe: Retaliation. However, unlike its cinematic counterparts, the Ripsaw M5 is not a toy, but a lethal weapon that can operate in any terrain and weather condition. The Ripsaw M5 has several advantages over conventional tanks, such as:

• It weighs only 10.5 tons, which is three times less than a Bradley. This means it can be easily transported by air, sea, or land, and can maneuver in tight spaces and rough terrains.
• It has a 173mmx30mm cannon that can deliver the same firepower as an Abrams. The cannon can fire a variety of munitions, including high-explosive, armor-piercing, and guided projectiles. The Ripsaw M5 can also carry other weapons and payloads, such as missiles or anti-air systems, thanks to its modular design.
• It has a silent electric motor that reduces its noise and thermal signature, making it harder to detect by enemy sensors. The electric motor also provides a high torque and a low maintenance cost, compared to diesel engines.
• It can reach a top speed of 60 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds. This gives it a remarkable agility and responsiveness, allowing it to evade or pursue targets with ease.
• It has a 360-degree perception technology that gives it situational awareness and artificial intelligence to autonomously engage targets. The Ripsaw M5 can communicate with other RCVs, manned vehicles, drones, and command centers, and share information and coordinate actions. It can also use its onboard sensors and algorithms to identify and classify objects, and decide whether to engage or avoid them.

The Ripsaw M5 is not only a remarkable technological achievement, but also a strategic asset that could play a vital role in the future battlefield, as part of the Army’s modernization strategy and the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team. The NGCV CFT is a team of experts and innovators that aims to develop and deliver new combat vehicles that can support the Army’s Multi-Domain Operations concept, which involves the integration of all domains of warfare — land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace — to deter and defeat adversaries.

One of the possible roles of the Ripsaw M5 in the future battlefield is to serve as a wingman to the manned vehicles, such as the M10 Booker, the Abrams, and the Bradleys. This new armored vehicle could provide speed, mobility, and unmanned capability to the Army, and help it overcome the challenges of being outnumbered or outmatched by adversaries. It could scout ahead, flank the enemy, provide fire support, or act as a decoy, while the manned vehicles could focus on the main objectives. It could also operate independently or in swarms, depending on the mission and the situation.

The Ripsaw M5 is not a science fiction fantasy, but a realistic and feasible solution that could change the face of warfare in the 21st century. It is not meant to replace the human Soldier, but to augment and enhance the human capabilities and performance. This autonomous system is not a threat to the human dignity, but a tool to protect and defend the human values and interests. This is not a weapon of mass destruction, but a weapon of mass innovation. The Ripsaw M5 is the future of warfare, and the future is now.