Textron Systems has secured a pre-production development contract for the US Marine Corps’ (USMC) Cottonmouth Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV), valued at $450 million. The agreement covers the delivery of 16 pre-production units across three variants — C4UAS, 30mm, and Logistics — all designed to support the USMC’s Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept.
The contract also includes the establishment of three systems integration laboratories and the provision of four blast hulls. Upon delivery, the vehicles will undergo government-led testing to validate performance metrics and ensure compliance with program requirements.
Originally developed as a clean-sheet design in 2019, the Cottonmouth platform incorporates a modular open systems architecture, according to David Phillips, Senior Vice President of Air, Land and Sea Systems. Manufacturing is conducted at Textron’s facility in Slidell, Louisiana, while engineering and design activities are based in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
The C4UAS variant serves as the primary crewed platform for integrating robotic and autonomous systems, while the 30mm version provides direct fire support and anti-armor capabilities. The Logistics variant is intended for operational sustainment and supply roles in the field. The USMC has already received initial C4UAS and 30mm units, along with integration labs, for earlier testing phases. Phillips noted that the Cottonmouth platform is expected to significantly enhance reconnaissance operations through improved mobility, adaptability, and command functionality on the battlefield.
This award coincides with the USMC advancing a second rapid prototyping phase involving Textron and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), the two primary competitors in the ARV program. The initiative aims to develop a next-generation family of vehicles to replace the USMC’s Light Armored Vehicle fleet, with initial prototype contracts awarded in July 2021.
Aligned with the USMC’s Force Design 2030 modernization strategy, the program reflects a transition from land-based counterinsurgency operations to expeditionary naval warfare focused on peer adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region. Deliveries are expected by fiscal year 2028, followed by a production decision in fiscal year 2031.
