Manta Ray Military Drone: A New Era for Underwater Warfare

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A mesmerizing photo of a manta ray gliding through the ocean waters off Bali, Indonesia.
Credit: pexels.com, A mesmerizing photo of a manta ray gliding through the ocean waters off Bali, Indonesia.

The Manta Ray military drone is a revolutionary underwater warfare system that's changing the game. It's a large, unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that can operate for weeks at a time.

The Manta Ray is designed to be highly maneuverable, with a wingspan of up to 20 feet and a weight of over 5,000 pounds. Its advanced propulsion system allows it to dive deep and stay there for extended periods.

This drone is equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems, allowing it to transmit real-time data to commanders on the surface. Its stealth capabilities make it nearly undetectable to enemy sonar systems.

The Manta Ray's advanced propulsion system is powered by a high-capacity battery pack, allowing it to stay submerged for weeks at a time. This makes it an ideal platform for long-term surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Northrop's Underwater Drone

Northrop Grumman built the Manta Ray prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) in Maryland.

The prototype was shipped in sections to its test location in California.

Credit: youtube.com, The Manta Ray: Northrop Grumman Unveils New Underwater Drone

It was rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections.

The demonstrated ease of shipping and assembly supports the possibility of rapid deployment throughout the world without "crowding valuable pier space at naval facilities".

Shipping the vehicle directly to its intended area of operation conserves energy that the vehicle would otherwise expend during transit.

Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray prototype was tested off the coast of Southern California over the last three months.

The US Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) programme funded the project.

Darpa programme manager for Manta Ray Dr Kyle Woerner said the successful testing validates the vehicle's readiness to advance toward real-world operations.

The Manta Ray prototype moves through the water using "efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding".

It could reduce the need for as much human involvement in underwater missions.

Darpa is engaging with the US Navy on the next steps for testing and transition of the technology.

Here's an interesting read: Us Drone Aircraft

US Military Drone Tests

The US has tested a futuristic "manta-ray" style underwater drone called the Manta Ray prototype UUV.

Credit: youtube.com, Manta Ray, Making Waves in Autonomy

This drone was tested off the coast of Southern California and was funded by the US Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) programme.

The Manta Ray prototype was built by defense company Northrop Grumman and completed full-scale testing over the last three months.

It was designed to move through the water using "efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding" and could reduce the need for human involvement in underwater missions.

The Manta Ray prototype was built in Maryland before being shipped in sections to its test location in California.

Shipping the vehicle directly to its intended area of operation conserves energy that the vehicle would otherwise expend during transit.

The US Navy is now engaged with Darpa on the next steps for testing and transition of the technology.

The Manta Ray UUV prototype completed the first in-water testing earlier this year, demonstrating at-sea hydrodynamic performance.

The testing included submerged operations using all of the vehicle's modes of propulsion and steering: buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces.

The Manta Ray's successful testing validates its readiness to advance toward real-world operations after being rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections.

This is a first-of-kind capability for an extra-large UUV, according to Darpa programme manager for Manta Ray Dr Kyle Woerner.

DARPA's Undersea Drone

Credit: youtube.com, The Manta Ray: How America's Futuristic Underwater Drone will Change Warfare.

The Manta Ray prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) completed full-scale testing off the coast of Southern California over the last three months.

It was funded by the US Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) programme, and built by defence company Northrop Grumman.

The Manta Ray prototype uses "efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding" to move through the water.

This new class of long-range, payload-capable UUVs is ready for operation across seas and oceans, according to Darpa.

The vehicle was rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections, demonstrating a first-of-kind capability for an extra-large UUV.

The prototype was built in Maryland before being shipped in sections to its test location in California.

Shipping the vehicle directly to its intended area of operation conserves energy that the vehicle would otherwise expend during transit.

UUVs, also known as underwater drones, have existed since the 1950s.

The Manta Ray prototype completed full-scale, in-water testing off the coast of Southern California earlier this year, demonstrating at-sea hydrodynamic performance.

The vehicle's modes of propulsion and steering include buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces.

The successful testing validates the vehicle's readiness to advance toward real-world operations, according to DARPA program manager Kyle Woerner.

Expand your knowledge: Underwater Drone Military

Inspiration from Nature

Credit: youtube.com, Why China is Terrified of US New Manta Ray Submarine

The Manta Ray military drone's design was inspired by the aquatic creature it's named after. Its unique design allows it to operate in oceanic environments inaccessible to humans.

The Manta Ray's ability to move through the water is made possible by two rear propellers. This efficient propulsion system enables it to conserve energy for other tasks.

Shipping the Manta Ray to its test location in California was done in subsections from Maryland, demonstrating the ease of shipping and assembly. This makes it possible for rapid deployment throughout the world without crowding valuable pier space at naval facilities.

The Manta Ray uses buoyancy-driven gliding to move through the water, making it an efficient and effective underwater vehicle. Its design includes several payload bays of multiple sizes and types to enable a wide variety of naval mission sets.

Northrop Grumman completed the assembly of the Manta Ray earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in the development of this advanced underwater drone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Manta Ray sub real?

Yes, the Manta Ray sub is a real unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) designed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for Navy purposes. It's a prototype part of a new program aimed at exploring various underwater applications.

Jeanette Venturi

Senior Writer

Jeanette Venturi is a seasoned writer with several years of experience in the blogosphere. Her writing style is reflective, insightful and engaging; which has helped establish her as a trusted voice on various topics. She is passionate about empowering people with knowledge that can help them make informed decisions about their lives.

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