MOZA -- Biologically-informed Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles​

The United States Department of the Navy (DON) has identified Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) as an emerging technology that can perform/enable a diverse range of underwater missions. These vehicles will need to be fast, highly efficient, quiet, and have long range and endurance. To meet this need, Spectral Energies (SE) proposes to continue the development of its biologically informed UUV called Moza – inspired by the ancient Mosasaurus. Our Moza vehicle draws on the most recent understanding on the mechanics of swimming and efficient propulsor design, and we expect its performance in terms of minimum cost of transport (COT) and maximum speed to exceed even the best autonomous underwater vehicle (AUVs) and gliders. During Phase I, SE developed, built, and tested a small-scale demonstrator of its Moza vehicle. Simulations and experiments were performed to optimize the speed and efficiency of Moza. During Phase II, SE will develop a full-scale prototype of Moza that will be TRL 6 to 7. Control algorithms for heading and depth will be developed and the prototype will be demonstrated in an ocean environment. During Phase II option SE will incorporate payload (e.g., CTD and Oxygen sensors) and perform Ocean missions.