DARPA Unveils Autonomous ‘Manta Ray’ Drone for Stealthy Underwater Missions

“DARPA Unveils Autonomous ‘Manta Ray’ Drone for Stealthy Underwater Missions”
Northrop Grumman Corporation has completed the construction of its Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle, designed to undertake extended missions and transport payloads covertly through the depths of the ocean in collaboration with DARPA.
Engineers have finalized the assembly of an autonomous underwater drone, intended for extensive oceanic exploration missions, in partnership with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), as depicted in recent images.
Named “Manta Ray,” the drone draws inspiration from the filter-feeding fish bearing the same name, boasting a sleek diamond-shaped body and wing-like fins. Crafted by aerospace and defense company Northrop Grumman, this sizable glider is equipped for prolonged, payloaded missions sans the necessity of onboard human supervision and maintenance.
Upon deployment, the drone can conserve energy by tethering itself to the seafloor and entering a low-power mode.
“I’m thrilled to share one of the first images of Manta Ray fully assembled in our Annapolis facility,” remarked Todd Leavitt, Vice President of Naval and Oceanic Systems at Northrop Grumman, in a LinkedIn post highlighting the company’s milestone.
DARPA initiated the Manta Ray program in 2020 to enhance underwater vehicle capabilities, focusing on augmenting payload capacity and energy efficiency. While initially partnering with three contractors, including Northrop Grumman, Martin Defense Group LLC, and Metron Inc., the latter withdrew from the project in late 2021. Subsequently, Northrop Grumman and Martin Defense Group LLC each developed distinct prototypes for in-water trials and evaluations.
Northrop Grumman’s Manta Ray prototype integrates a range of innovative features to align with DARPA’s objective of achieving strategic surprise. These encompass autonomy, adaptable payload capabilities for diverse missions, energy-saving functionalities, and modularity, allowing for easy disassembly and reassembly. The drone’s design also enables transportation in five standard shipping containers, facilitating global deployment.
Manta Ray holds potential as a crucial asset for underwater military endeavors, offering a new class of underwater vehicle while contributing essential technological advancements to vital undersea programs, remarked Kyle Woerner, Program Manager for Manta Ray at DARPA, in a statement from 2021.