Textron Systems announced that Textron Inc. has entered into a letter of intent to purchase Howe & Howe Technologies, Inc. of Waterboro, Maine. The combined portfolio of Textron Systems and Howe & Howe Technologies will position Textron Systems as a global leader in autonomy across the air, land and sea domains. The purchase, which does not have an announced price tag, is expected to close in mid-December. It comes as industry around the world eyes the potential military unmanned ground vehicles market as an area for future growth.
Howe & Howe is a leader in advanced robotic land vehicles, built and proven for the most extreme conditions in the world. The small, highly mobile Ripsaw Super Tank has been chosen by U.S. government customers for its speed, mobility and off-road performance. After a grueling 60-mile test through swamp and jungle terrains, its RS2-H1 SMET was down-selected to compete to be the U.S. Army’s first platoon load-carrying robot. Howe & Howe also built the world’s first and only purpose-built robotic firefighting solution, its Thermite firefighting robot, as well as the Bulldog line of extreme firefighting and medical transport vehicles.
Howe & Howe’s advanced robotic ground vehicle solutions and applications are a natural fit alongside Textron Systems’ decades of experience in unmanned platforms and control systems, as well as mission-proven combat vehicles. Textron Systems has delivered unmanned platforms, control systems and a full range of operations and support services for more than one million operational hours. Its combat-proven COMMANDO® land vehicles are utilized around the world under several programs of record and are known for their on- and off-road mobility, survivability and reliability.
Textron Systems is a world leader in unmanned air, surface and land products, services and support for aerospace and defense customers. Harnessing agility and a broad base of expertise, Textron Systems’ innovative businesses design, manufacture, field and support comprehensive solutions that expand customer capabilities and deliver value. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.
