US Navy tests ‘extra-large’ Thunderbirds-style Manta Ray drone sub capable of long-distance unmanned undersea missions
- The Manta Ray drone has completed tests off the coast of California over the past three months
- The future missions of the new class of unmanned underwater vehicles are unknown
- It moves through the water using ‘efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding’
A Thunderbirds-style military vehicle designed for long-distance unmanned underwater missions has completed tests in the water.
The Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) prototype has completed full testing off the coast of Southern California over the past three months, according to manufacturer Northrop Grumman.
Manta Ray was built through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program.
Although future missions have not yet been revealed, Northrop Grumman describes the vehicle as a “new class of UUV.”
It moves through the water using “efficient buoyancy-powered gliding” and could reduce the need for as much human involvement in underwater missions.
A Thunderbirds-style Manta Ray drone has completed tests in the water off the coast of California
The military vehicle is designed for long-distance unmanned underwater missions
Dr. Kyle Woerner, the Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program manager for Manta Ray, said, “Our successful, large-scale Manta Ray tests validate the vehicle’s readiness to advance to real-world operations after it has been quickly put together. the field of modular subsections’
Manufacturers added: ‘It is an extra-large glider that can perform long-duration, long-distance and payload submarine missions without the need for on-site human logistics.’
Testing of hydrodynamic performance at sea included underwater operations using all of the vehicle’s propulsion and steering modes: buoyancy, propellers and control surfaces.
“Our successful, large-scale Manta Ray testing validates the vehicle’s readiness to progress to real-world use 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 transport, on-site assembly and subsequent deployment demonstrates a unique capability for an oversized UUV.”
Northrop Grumman says the prototype was built in Maryland before being shipped in subsections to the California test site.
The demonstrated ease of shipping and assembly supports the ability for rapid deployment around the world without “displacing valuable pier space at naval facilities.”
“Transporting the vehicle directly to its intended area of use saves energy that the vehicle would otherwise consume during transportation,” Woerner said.
Manufacturer Northrop Grumman said: ‘It is an extra-large glider that will perform long-duration, long-range and payload submarine missions without the need for on-site human logistics’
Pictured: Thunderbird 2, from the classic British sci-fi 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 vessel is designed with a variety of cargo holds of different sizes and types, allowing for a wide variety of naval missions.”
DARPA says they are working with the US Navy on the next steps for testing and transition of this technology.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, previously said she sees robotic systems like the Manta Ray and other emerging technologies as a way to “put more players on the field.”
The Navy received its first Orca XLUUV undersea drone from Boeing in December for further testing. The Orca is capable of waging war at depths of 3,000 meters, hunting mines and sinking submarines.