Textron Marine & Land Systems
A Textron defense business focused on armored vehicles, military marine craft, turrets, and related weapon systems.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Textron Marine & Land Systems is an American defense business associated with Textron Inc. and historically descended from Cadillac Gage. Its activities combine land-system engineering with military and government marine manufacturing. The business has produced armored vehicles, light tanks, tactical patrol vehicles, turret systems, landing craft, patrol boats, rigid-hull inflatable boats, and other specialized platforms for military and security users. The organization took its present form in 1994 through the merger of Cadillac Gage and Textron Marine. Cadillac Gage had an established record in military vehicles and weapons-related equipment, particularly during the Vietnam War era. Its portfolio included the Stoner 63 modular weapon system, the V-100 Commando armored personnel carrier, Ranger and Peacekeeper armored personnel carriers, and Stingray light tanks. Under Textron ownership, the business expanded this land-systems heritage into a broader portfolio that also included advanced marine craft and surface-effect vessels. A major part of its later identity came from the M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, developed for the U.S. Army and widely associated with convoy security and military police missions. The company also produced or supported other protected vehicles, including the Tiger Light Protected Vehicle and the Textron Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle proposed for Canadian military use. Its marine portfolio included Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles, the U.S. Navy's Ship-to-Shore Connector program, Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboats, and NAIAD rigid-hull inflatable boats. The 2003 invasion of Iraq increased demand for some of Textron's military products and contributed to expansion at its eastern New Orleans manufacturing operation. Between 2005 and 2010, the plant's workforce reportedly doubled to approximately 1,000 employees. Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the company's manufacturing units in August 2005, making disaster recovery an important event in the history of its Louisiana operations. Textron Marine & Land Systems has primarily served the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. government agencies, while also pursuing international defense opportunities. In 2015, Textron received an $84 million U.S. Navy contract to build two Ship-to-Shore Connector craft, designated LCACs 102 and 103. These vessels were intended to replace the Navy's aging fleet of Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles. In 2020, the U.S. Army selected the company for work on battlefield unmanned combat vehicles, and the business also received work connected with additional high-speed ship-to-shore air-cushion craft. The brand's positioning is that of a specialized defense contractor rather than a consumer-facing manufacturer. Its capabilities span protected mobility, amphibious logistics, surface-effect transportation, small military and government boats, and integrated turret or weapon-system technologies. Because it operates within the Textron corporate structure and has been associated with broader Textron defense activities, public references may describe individual products or programs under related Textron Systems names rather than under a single standalone retail brand.
History
Textron Marine & Land Systems developed from the combination of two Textron-related defense activities: Cadillac Gage and Textron Marine. The merger took place in 1994 and created a business with capabilities spanning military ground vehicles, marine craft, surface-effect vessels, turrets, and other weapon systems. Its primary office is in Slidell, Louisiana, while its industrial history is also closely linked with manufacturing operations in the New Orleans area. Cadillac Gage supplied a number of notable military products before the merger. Its Vietnam War-era work included the Stoner 63 modular weapon system, the V-100 Commando armored personnel carrier, Ranger and Peacekeeper armored personnel carriers, and the Stingray light tank and Stingray 2. These programs established the land-systems lineage that continued within Textron's defense portfolio. The business later became strongly associated with the M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, a protected vehicle developed for the U.S. Army. It also manufactured or marketed other land platforms, including the Tiger Light Protected Vehicle and the Textron Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle for the Canadian Army. Its turret and weapons-related activities complemented its vehicle manufacturing capabilities. Marine manufacturing formed the other major part of the organization's identity. Products and programs included Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles for the U.S. Navy, Ship-to-Shore Connector craft, Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboats, and NAIAD rigid-hull inflatable boats. These platforms addressed amphibious transport, ship-to-shore logistics, rescue, patrol, and other government missions. The 2003 invasion of Iraq increased demand for parts of Textron's defense business. From 2005 through 2010, employment at its eastern New Orleans manufacturing plant reportedly grew from roughly 500 workers to approximately 1,000. Hurricane Katrina caused severe damage to the company's manufacturing units in August 2005, creating a major interruption for its Louisiana operations. In March 2015, Textron signed an $84 million contract with the U.S. Navy to construct two new Landing Craft Air Cushion vessels, LCACs 102 and 103. They were part of the Ship-to-Shore Connector program, which sought to replace the Navy's existing LCAC fleet. In 2020, the U.S. Army awarded the company development work for battlefield unmanned combat vehicles, together with work involving additional high-speed air-cushion ship-to-shore craft. Across its history, Textron Marine & Land Systems has functioned primarily as a government and defense contractor rather than as a consumer brand. Its portfolio has connected protected mobility on land with amphibious and surface transportation at sea. Public descriptions can overlap with wider Textron defense activities, and the business's organizational presentation may change as Textron groups its military systems operations under broader corporate structures.
- 2020
Unmanned combat vehicle development
[1]The U.S. Army awarded Textron work on battlefield unmanned combat vehicles and additional high-speed ship-to-shore air-cushion craft.
- 2015
Ship-to-Shore Connector contract
[1]Textron received an $84 million U.S. Navy contract for two new Landing Craft Air Cushion vessels, LCACs 102 and 103.
- 2005
Hurricane Katrina damages Louisiana operations
[1]Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the company's manufacturing units in the New Orleans area.
- 2003
Iraq War increases defense demand
[1]The invasion of Iraq contributed to increased activity and demand for parts of Textron's military business.
- 1994
Cadillac Gage and Textron Marine merge
[1]The merger formed Textron Marine & Land Systems and combined Cadillac Gage's land-vehicle heritage with Textron Marine's marine capabilities.
- 1963
Stoner 63 enters the Cadillac Gage-era portfolio
[1]The Stoner 63 modular weapon system was among the military products associated with Cadillac Gage before its later combination with Textron Marine.
Products and positioning
A specialized defense contractor combining armored land vehicles, weapon and turret systems, amphibious logistics craft, and government marine platforms.
Armored vehicle
M1117 Armored Security Vehicle
The M1117 is a protected armored security vehicle developed for the U.S. Army. It is associated with convoy-security, military-police, and protected mobility missions, and represents one of the best-known land platforms in the Textron Marine & Land Systems portfolio.
Amphibious military craft
Landing Craft Air Cushion
Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles use an air cushion to move personnel, vehicles, and equipment from amphibious ships to shore. Textron's work in this category supported U.S. Navy ship-to-shore logistics and later replacement programs.
Amphibious transport craft · 2015
Ship-to-Shore Connector
The Ship-to-Shore Connector is a high-speed air-cushion craft program intended to replace older Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion vessels. Textron received a contract for two craft, designated LCACs 102 and 103, in 2015.
Weapon and turret system
Cadillac Gage turret systems
Cadillac Gage turret systems form part of the company's inherited weapons and vehicle-integration capability. They are designed for military vehicle applications and complement Textron's protected-vehicle manufacturing activities.
Government patrol and rescue boat
47-foot Motor Lifeboat
The 47-foot Motor Lifeboat is a government marine platform associated with U.S. Coast Guard operations. It reflects the company's work beyond combat craft, including vessels intended for rescue, patrol, and maritime security missions.
Rigid-hull inflatable boat
NAIAD Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat
NAIAD rigid-hull inflatable boats are specialized small craft for military, law-enforcement, and government maritime missions. Their design category combines a rigid hull with inflatable buoyancy tubes for operational flexibility.
Protected vehicle
Tiger Light Protected Vehicle
The Tiger Light Protected Vehicle is a light protected mobility platform listed among the company's land-systems products. Available reference material identifies the vehicle but does not establish a complete production or deployment history.
Brand decisions
2015
U.S. Navy awards Ship-to-Shore Connector construction contractOtherBackground
The U.S. Navy sought new air-cushion craft to replace its existing Landing Craft Air Cushion fleet.
Action taken
Textron received an $84 million contract to build LCACs 102 and 103.
Aftermath
The contract reinforced Textron's role in amphibious ship-to-shore transportation.
Contract value. $84 million (2015)
1994
Combination of Cadillac Gage and Textron MarineM&ABackground
Textron brought together Cadillac Gage's armored-vehicle and weapons background with Textron Marine's marine-systems activities.
Action taken
The two businesses were merged to form Textron Marine & Land Systems.
Aftermath
The resulting organization operated across both military land vehicles and marine platforms.
Recent events
- 2020
U.S. Army selects Textron for battlefield unmanned combat vehicle development[1]
Product launch
The U.S. Army awarded the company work involving development of battlefield unmanned combat vehicles and additional high-speed ship-to-shore air-cushion craft.
- 2015
Textron receives U.S. Navy contract for two Ship-to-Shore Connector craft[1]
Other
Textron signed an $84 million U.S. Navy contract to build LCACs 102 and 103 for the Ship-to-Shore Connector program, which was intended to replace older Landing Craft Air Cushion vessels.
- 2005
Hurricane Katrina severely damages Textron Marine & Land Systems manufacturing units[1]
Other
The company's manufacturing facilities in the New Orleans area were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Sources1 sources
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