[imagesource: Northrop Grumman]

Northrop Grumman just tested its prototype of an amazing animal-like uncrewed underwater vehicle dubbed Manta Ray, seen manoeuvring off the California coast in new footage.

The aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman, which has been pioneering capabilities in the undersea domain for more than 50 years, has created a groundbreaking new class of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV) with Manta Ray.

Taking its name from the massive “winged” fish, the Manta Ray will operate long-duration, long-range missions in ocean environments where humans can’t go, the official website says. Space notes that the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plans to use the autonomous underwater drone for long-range missions in the ocean.

The prototype is an extra-large glider capable of operating long-duration, payloaded missions without needing on-board human support and maintenance. Once deployed, the drone could also save energy by anchoring itself to the seabed and hibernating in a low-power mode.

In 2020, DARPA initiated the Manta Ray program to advance underwater vehicle design, focusing on enhancing payload capacity and energy conservation. Initially, three contractors were selected: Northrop Grumman, Martin Defense Group LLC, and Metron Inc. However, Metron Inc. withdrew from the program in late 2021. Since then, Northrop Grumman and Martin Defense Group LLC have developed distinct prototypes of the drone, which are now undergoing in-water demonstrations and testing.

Northrop Grumman’s Manta Ray prototype integrates several unique features to support DARPA’s vision of creating “strategic surprise,” the company said on its website.

These features include autonomy, the ability to carry equipment for various missions, energy-saving capabilities, and modularity, allowing the design to be disassembled and reassembled. Additionally, the drone can fit into five standard shipping containers, facilitating global transport and deployment.

Manta Ray could become a critical tool for underwater military operations and “is uniquely positioning itself to simultaneously introduce a new class of underwater vehicle while contributing key component technologies to other vital undersea programs,” Kyle Woerner, the program manager for Manta Ray at DARPA, said in a 2021 statement.

Axios notes that sea drones are reshaping naval combat, especially in Eastern Europe, where Ukrainian forces are sinking prized Russian ships using far smaller and cheaper tech.

The US Navy is banking on uncrewed systems to reduce logistical demands, boost surveillance and augment firepower for sailors and Marines.

Additional Manta Ray trials are expected, as is a dialogue between the Navy and DARPA.

[sources:axios&space]