The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has successfully tested its innovative “Manta Ray” underwater drone, marking a significant advancement in unmanned naval technology.

The full-scale trials of the Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV), conducted off the coast of Southern California in recent months, have set the stage for a new era in naval operations.

According to DARPA’s program manager, Dr. Kyle Woerner, the Manta Ray project has achieved a critical milestone.

“Our successful, full-scale Manta Ray testing validates the vehicle’s readiness to advance toward real-world operations after being rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections,” Dr. Woerner stated.

The prototype, developed by the defense giant Northrop Grumman, is an extra-large glider with a new class of long-duration, long-range, and payload-capable UUVs ready for persistent operations in dynamic maritime environments.

The Manta Ray’s design enables cross-country modular transportation and in-field assembly, providing a “first-of-kind capability.”

Moreover, the Manta Ray’s operational benefits extend to strategic deployment logistics. Dr. Woerner added, “Shipping the vehicle directly to its intended area of operation conserves energy that the vehicle would otherwise expend during transit.”

Once deployed, it uses efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding through the water, boasting payload bays of various sizes to support a wide range of naval mission sets.

The introduction of large unmanned vehicles into the US Navy could allow the US Navy to greatly expand its capabilities despite the current bottlenecks in areas such as shipbuilding and recruitment.

It can be shipped worldwide in modular pieces and assembled without crowding pier space at naval facilities.

This operational independence from traditional port infrastructure is expected to extend the Navy’s reach while bypassing current bottlenecks in shipbuilding and recruitment.

In the broader context of global military developments, China is also enhancing its underwater drone capabilities.

The Chinese UUV300CB, an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle, represents Beijing’s intent to arm and export autonomous underwater weapons, illustrating the escalating technological arms race in uncrewed systems.

The Manta Ray, with its modular design fitting into standard shipping containers for global deployment, aligns with DARPA’s vision of creating “strategic surprise.”

These autonomous underwater vehicles are setting a precedent for a new class of undersea technology, contributing critical component technologies to other vital undersea programs.

Relevant articles:
– DARPA Tests “Manta Ray” Underwater Drone, Overt Defense –
– DARPA’s autonomous ‘Manta Ray’ drone can glide through ocean depths undetected, Space.com
– How China’s New Extra-Large Underwater Drone Compares to US’ Manta Ray, Newsweek
– Northrop’s colossal Manta Ray underwater drone passes at-sea tests, C4ISRNet