Project Loch Ness: Analyzing the Feasibility of Magnetohydrodynamic Propulsion; Ukrainian Naval Drones: A Case Study in Rapid Network Stabilization

Socio-technical Synthesis: From Magnetohydrodynamics to Autonomous Warfare Both my technical thesis and my STS research are centered on naval engineering and how it is rapidly evolving in the context of autonomy and artificial intelligence. Naval engineering encompasses the design and construction of both surface and subsurface vessels for defense applications. It integrates multiple disciplines, including hydrodynamics, mechanical design of control surfaces, and computer engineering for guidance, navigation, and control systems. My technical project explored the feasibility of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) propulsion combined with rapid prototyping through additive manufacturing. In parallel, my STS research examined how autonomy, AI, and the blurring of civilian and defense industry boundaries are reshaping procurement processes and strategic decision-making in naval warfare. My technical work focused on designing and manufacturing a propulsion system with no moving parts using magnetohydrodynamics. MHD relies on the interaction between electric and magnetic fields to generate a Lorentz force which, when applied to a conductive fluid, produces thrust. This approach has potential applications in stealth systems, particularly for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), due to its low acoustic signature. The original objective was to develop a full-scale prototype for open-water testing; however, manufacturing delays made this infeasible within the project timeline. Despite this limitation, the project produced valuable insights and design lessons that can be extended by future capstone teams. My STS research also engages with naval engineering, but from a sociotechnical perspective focused on contemporary defense operations in Ukraine. Using a network-based analytical framework, I examined how relationships between state actors, private industry, and civilian supply chains enabled rapid innovation in unmanned naval systems. I argue that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry successfully leveraged civilian production networks to develop and deploy unmanned surface vessels, allowing for faster adaptation and iteration than traditional military procurement systems. In contrast, the more rigid and centralized procurement structures of the Russian naval contingent limited responsiveness and innovation. This analysis highlights the importance of flexible, integrated networks in modern defense engineering and underscores the need for engineers to understand the broader systems in which their technologies operate. Completing both projects simultaneously strengthened my ability to connect technical design with broader societal and organizational contexts. While my technical work emphasized engineering feasibility and system performance, my STS research pushed me to consider how technologies are developed, adopted, and used in practice. This experience reinforced the idea that engineering solutions do not exist in isolation; they must align with real-world needs, constraints, and institutions. Moving forward, I will apply this perspective by approaching technical problems with a greater awareness of the social, political, and economic systems that shape the final engineering outcomes.