- The Manta Ray drone completed its tests in the last three months off California
- Future missions of the new class of unmanned underwater vehicles are unknown
- It moves through water by ‘efficient buoyancy-driven gliding’
A Thunderbirds-style military vehicle designed for unmanned long-distance underwater missions has completed in-water testing.
The prototype Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) has completed full-scale testing off the coast of Southern California over the past three months, according to manufacturer Northrop Grumman.
Manta Ray was built through the US Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program.
Although its future missions have not been revealed, Northrop Grumman describes the vehicle as a ‘new class of UUV’.
It moves through water using “efficient buoyancy-driven gliding” and could reduce the need for greater human involvement in underwater missions.
A Thunderbirds-style Manta Ray drone has completed in-water testing off the California coast
The military vehicle is designed for unmanned long-distance underwater missions.
Dr. Kyle Woerner, Manta Ray program manager at the Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), said, “Our successful full-scale Manta Ray test validates the vehicle’s readiness to advance toward real-world operations after being quickly assembled in the field of modular subsections’
The manufacturers added: “It is an extra-large glider that will operate long-endurance, long-range, payload-capable underwater missions without the need for on-site human logistics.”
Hydrodynamic performance testing at sea included submerged operations using all vehicle propulsion and steering modes: buoyancy, propellers and control surfaces.
“Our successful full-scale test of Manta Ray validates the vehicle’s readiness to advance toward real-world operations after being rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections,” said Dr. Kyle Woerner, DARPA program manager for Manta Ray.
“The combination of cross-country modular transportation, field assembly and subsequent deployment demonstrates a unique capability for an extra-large UUV.”
Northrop Grumman says the prototype was built in Maryland before being shipped in subsections to its test site in California.
The demonstrated ease of shipping and assembly supports the possibility of rapid deployment around the world without “crowding valuable dock space at naval facilities.”
“Sending the vehicle directly to the intended area of operation saves energy it would otherwise expend during transit,” Woerner added.
Manufacturer Northrop Grumman said: “It is an extra-large glider that will operate long-endurance, long-range, payload-capable submarine missions without the need for human on-site logistics.”
In the photo: Thunderbird 2, from the classic British science fiction series, which bears a striking resemblance to the Manta Ray.
“Once deployed, the vehicle uses efficient buoyancy-powered gliding to move through the water. The ship is designed with multiple payload bays of multiple sizes and types to enable a wide variety of naval mission sets.
DARPA says it is collaborating with the US Navy on next steps for testing and transitioning this technology.
Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of Naval Operations, previously said she saw robotic systems like the Manta Ray and other emerging technologies as a way to “put more players on the field.”
The Navy received a first Orca XLUUV underwater drone from Boeing in December for further testing. The Orca is capable of waging war at depths of 11,000 feet, hunting mines and sinking submarines.