The Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), finished comprehensive testing in the waters off Southern California in February and March 2024.
The Manta Ray was created by Northrop Grumman and made tests showing how well it moves underwater using different methods like buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces.
To get the prototype to California for testing, Northrop Grumman shipped it in parts from where it was built in Maryland. This showed that it’s easy to transport and put together, meaning it could be quickly used anywhere in the world without taking up too much space on naval docks.
Manta Ray is designed to make a new kind of UUV that can stay underwater for a long time, travel far distances, and carry a lot of cargo. DARPA and the U.S. Navy are now discussing what to do next with this technology.
Dr. Kyle Woerner, DARPA program manager for Manta Ray, said:
“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. The combination of cross-country modular transportation, in-field assembly, and subsequent deployment demonstrates a first-of-kind capability for an extra-large UUV.”
source DARPA
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