Subsea Defense
Vehicles
The Self-propelled MEDUSA Mine System
General Dynamics Mission Systems has been selected by the U.S. Navy to develop the next-generation Mining Expendable Delivery Unmanned Submarine Asset (MEDUSA) system for deployment aboard manned submarines or, perhaps future unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
By Edward Lundquist
MEDUSA is a medium-class UUV with offensive mining capabilities, launched from the torpedo tube of a submarine, and can deliver its mine payload accurately to positions far from the launch location or platform. MEDUSA is designed as an expendable system once deployed. The potential for configuring a MEDUSA system for additional different payloads or integrating into different platforms – such as the 50-ton Boeing “Orca” extra-large UUV or XLUUV – gives the Navy numerous options for future capability from this one core platform.
According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, “XLUUVs are roughly the size of a subway car.” They can carry and covertly deploy a significant number of small payloads--like MEDUSA--or “the Hammerhead mine, a planned mine that would be tethered to the seabed and armed with an antisubmarine torpedo.” The Hammerhead system is also being developed by General Dynamics Mission Systems.
MEDUSA exemplifies the Navy’s renewed interest in offensive mining capabilities and need to accelerate this and other critical technology to the fleet. It is expected that MEDUSA will be one of the Navy’s exemplars for rapid development and acquisition of advanced UUVs that enable the U.S. Navy to achieve undersea dominance and exert sea control
“The award of the MEDUSA contract represents our commitment to advancing unmanned technology and integrating it into Navy operations,” said Capt. Matthew Lewis, program manager of the unmanned maritime systems program office. “Innovation is critical to our national security and directly contributes to the readiness of our fleet. This contract enables us to invest in future operational capabilities and to push the boundaries of what we thought possible.”
“MEDUSA is an exciting leap forward for our Navy, aligning with Chief of Naval Operations’ updated NAVPLAN and the evolving nature of warfare,” said Rear. Adm. Kevin Smith, Program Executive Officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants. “This innovative mining system enhances our capabilities, allowing us to stay one step ahead in a rapidly changing environment. By empowering our warfighters with cutting-edge unmanned technology like MEDUSA, we’re ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive in complex situations and protect our interests at sea.”
The initial $15.9 million research and development effort is for the design, fabrication, and testing of the MEDUSA prototypes and associated risk reduction activities. The contract has options for prototype production and support work through 2032 with a total contract value of up to $58.1 million.
“The critical operational need for advanced mine warfare assets like MEDUSA has increased dramatically,” said Dr. Laura Hooks, vice president and general manager of the Maritime and Strategic Systems business at General Dynamics Mission Systems. “By leveraging our mature Bluefin Robotics unmanned underwater vehicle platforms, submarine platform integration experience, and our expertise in launching various torpedoes and payloads from submarines, General Dynamics Mission Systems will provide exceptional capability, military utility, and mission reliability to MEDUSA operators.”
The General Dynamics Mission Systems MEDUSA team includes General Dynamics Electric Boat, General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, EaglePicher, and MIKEL.
“We have a world-class team supporting the MEDUSA program. With such an aggressive schedule, each of our partners will have an essential role in ensuring we can deliver on our commitments to the US Navy.” said Paul Dalton, vice president for Autonomous Maritime Platforms at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Development of the MEDUSA system will occur primarily at General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Quincy, Mass., facility, which has become a focal point for rapid prototyping and development of autonomous maritime systems in recent years.
“We’ve recapitalized manufacturing space in our Taunton, Mass., facility to handle the larger scale production of our systems, optimizing our waterfront operations in Quincy as an accelerator for development and prototyping of new UUVs and other novel autonomous maritime systems,” said Michael Guay, director of growth for Autonomous Maritime Platforms at General Dynamics Mission Systems. “Our initial collaboration with the U.S. Navy on MEDUSA has been very promising and we are poised to move quickly on this urgent operational need.”