The MEDUSA prototype operating off the coast of Massachusetts during recent testing.
Rapid Prototyping is Paving the Way for Future Success
Recent testing of the Mining Expendable Delivery Unmanned Submarine Asset, or MEDUSA, program is off to an impressive and rapid start, marked by the successful completion of key risk reduction activities. This ambitious program is developing a state-of-the-art mining system utilizing an expendable unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that can be safely deployed from a submarine. The cutting-edge unmanned system is carefully designed to meet the U.S. Navy’s stringent requirements for an advanced maritime mining system while also offering the flexibility to host additional payloads and capabilities.
General Dynamics Mission Systems and the Unmanned Maritime Systems program office (PMS 406) have been diligently collaborating on the MEDUSA program since its award in September 2024. Recognizing the critical urgency surrounding the fleet's need for MEDUSA, General Dynamics approached PMS 406 with a comprehensive plan to mitigate program risk soon after the award. General Dynamics provided a full-scale risk reduction asset, or rapid prototype, soon after the program's inception, enabling the team to commence a series of high-impact tests. These rigorous tests are now crucially informing key elements of the design, ensuring the MEDUSA system will perform to the Navy's operational requirements.
Risk reduction activities are underway and focus on many of the unique elements of the MEDUSA program, including propulsion, navigation, specialized autonomy behaviors, and energy management.
"The rapid prototype has been an immensely helpful tool for feeding back data to the design and development phase of the program ahead of key milestone events," said Chris Clapp, senior program manager for MEDUSA at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
General Dynamics has found the approach to be its new standard for executing rapid prototyping of UUVs. The prototype has also enabled General Dynamics Mission Systems’ own marine operations team to spend extensive time operating the system.
"Our marine operations team is the primary interface with UUV operators in the field," said Zack Hood, senior engineering manager at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
"When we’re back at our shop, we also act as the user representatives. We have had our hands on the prototype for the past several months and it has provided valuable user-level perspective to the design process. Soon, we hope to host Sailors and allow them to offer direct feedback while planning and operating the system," he continued.
General Dynamics Mission Systems is proud to partner with PMS 406 on MEDUSA, and we look forward to delivering this innovative capability to the fleet.