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Eerie video as Northrop Grumman reveals huge ‘manta ray’ drones that can enter enemy water undetected from miles below
The prototype is the culmination of nearly four years of work
AN eerie new video shows huge underwater drones that can enter enemy water without being detected.
Northrop Grumman, an aerospace and defense tech company unveiled its first completed prototype of the Manta Ray Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV).
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The device is designed for assignments that call for long hours and extended ranges to minimize human involvement.
The Virginia-based defense contractor shared a photo of the vehicle on April 8, the first day of the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space conference in Maryland.
The image shows the vehicle's glider-like body with a rounded nose, however, its dimensions are unclear at this time.
The Manta Ray program began in 2020 by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa).
The goal was to create a large underwater drone that could be used independently of vessels manned by humans.
Darpa later collaborated with Northrop and PacMar Technologies to design early versions of the drone.
"At Northrop Grumman, we’re creating a new type of unmanned underwater vehicle," said Todd Leavitt, a company executive, in a statement.
"Our design can carry large payloads over long distances without the need for maintenance or refueling."
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The US military has become interested in uncrewed vehicles for use in operations.
The Navy is also looking to create a "hybrid fleet," using sailors and Marines with smart machinery as part of their equipment.
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The Manta Ray is perfect for subsea warfare, according to Darpa.
The agency also noted interest in using the Manta Ray for tasks such as underwater hazard detection and threat counter-detection.
It could also be used for purposes similar to the Navy's UVV which is being developed by Boeing.
This includes undersea mapping, mine detection, and passive surveillance.
Northrop Grumman is the world's third-largest defense contractor regarding defense-related revenue.