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General Dynamics is developing the Mining Expendable Delivery Unmanned Submarine Asset (MEDUSA), an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) designed for long-range offensive mine warfare capabilities for U.S. Navy submarines.

The prototype completed test trials off Massachusetts, with General Dynamics contracted to produce prototypes in 2024 based on a U.S. Navy request. This capability is seen as crucial in the context of the growing People's Liberation Army Navy, which outnumbers U.S. surface combatants.

MEDUSA is designed for safe deployment from submarines and features specialized autonomy behaviors. The U.S. Navy's fiscal year 2026 budget indicates plans for a new torpedo delivery system and the launch of unmanned assets aboard attack submarines. Four MEDUSA prototypes are to be delivered as part of the contract.