Tuesday, May 19th 2026 - 02:08 UTC
The Medical NavyPODS being embarked onboard the Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector. The NavyPODS are installed on a shock raft system designed in-house by FDS. (Credit: FDS/Simon Bradley)
UK engineering SME Force Development Services (FDS) has successfully tested its containerized medical mission module at sea for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) NavyPODS – Navy Persistent Operational Deployment System – program.
A report from Naval News indicates that the two-week medical trial, which was carried out by the Royal Naval Medical Service (RNMS) on board the RN’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector off the east coast of England in late April, places the Medical NavyPODS at technology readiness level (TRL) 8.
FDS Business Development Director Paul Keating-Brown said the sea trial proved the Medical NavyPODS’ ability to integrate into the ship and operate agnostic of the ship, demonstrating how the RNMS can deliver healthcare onboard naval ships that do not have a Role 2 capability. It follows the successful completion of a 100-day capability sprint directed by the First Sea Lord that concluded in March.
