![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6853565.jpg.jpg\")
Razorback and Viperfish MUUV<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Two separate communities previously developed a medium-sized UUV: the submarine community\u2019s Razorback, which proved to be less useful than anticipated due it being recoverable only with a dry deck shelter, and the explosive ordnance disposal community\u2019s Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish, which EOD units have used in worldwide operations since it was first deployed to the Middle East in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both systems now need to be updated, leading to a chance for two program offices to collaborate on a single MUUV design that can conduct two distinct missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moton said Leidos and L3Harris Technologies were selected over the summer to build the new MUUV and have already completed an integrated baseline review. The program will soon execute a system requirements review and a system functional review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the EOD community, this new UUV will be able to operate in deeper waters and conduct longer-duration missions, meaning expeditionary mine countermeasures companies will be able to cover more ocean area faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For submariners, the ability to launch and recover from torpedo tubes is a gamechanger. Houston, the commander of the submarine force, called this launch and recovery capability \u201cour biggest focus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final demonstrations are coming up, he said, and \u201cwe think we will have something operational in the not-too-distant future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rear Adm. Doug Perry, the Navy\u2019s director of undersea warfare on the chief of naval operations\u2019 staff, said at the conference the attack submarine fleet has 200 torpedo tubes, and this development ensures every single one can be used to launch and recover MUUVs if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, he said, it gives every attack submarine the ability to have an advanced scout, to touch the seafloor, to conduct third-party targeting, and to aid in communications and the development of a near-real-time common operating picture \u2014 a challenge due to both the physics of being underwater and the submarines not wanting to give away their location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mine and mine countermeasures UUVs<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the Navy has a number of programs in the works for small mine warfare and mine countermeasures UUVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lionfish program will replace the Mk 18 Mod 1 Swordfish UUV the EOD community has used for more than 20 years. Moton said HII was selected to replace the Swordfish following a novel process that paired the Defense Innovation Unit with fleet EOD units for a rigorous assessment of competing UUVs. Moton said he liked the way the process played out and hopes to replicate it for other upcoming unmanned programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Navy is working on the next iteration of its Barracuda mine neutralizer, developed as part of the Littoral Combat Ship mission modules program. Raytheon Technologies\u2019 original Barracuda included a tethered neutralizer connected to a communications system that remained at the surface of the water. Moton said the updated Barracuda will not be tethered, \u201cmaking it, really, a mine-identifying and -neutralizing UUV.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For offensive mining, Moton said the Navy is nearing the start of acquisition for a Medusa UUV, a system Perry called \u201ca mined, expendable, unmanned submarine asset as a replacement for the submarine-launched mobile mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the Navy heard industry responses to a request for information in late October, which the program office is evaluating to understand the potential costs and schedules associated with the service\u2019s requirements for Medusa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Navy is nearing delivery of an extra large UUV test vehicle, and will soon field a new torpedo tube launch and recovery capability for the medium UUV.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":117157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":16,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":{"9":{"categories":["unmanned","robotics","uas","battlefield-tech","home"],"primary_category":"unmanned"}}},"categories":[160,16,36,27,167],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3354],"class_list":["post-63378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-naval","category-newsletters","category-unmanned","category-unmanned-systems"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"PASEYE2AHNE77IEZRRQDCLU6ZY","arc_canonical_url":"\/naval\/2022\/11\/29\/whats-ahead-for-navy-unmanned-underwater-vehicle-programs\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"\n