Summary: The Manta Ray, a new uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) developed by Northrop Grumman under DARPA's guidance, represents a significant innovation in deep-sea technology. Designed for prolonged autonomous operations without human logistic support, Manta Ray aims to perform complex undersea missions, including scientific research and military tasks.
-Featuring energy-harvesting capabilities and a unique design inspired by its namesake, the Manta Ray can operate at depths unreachable by traditional submersibles, marking a major step towards autonomous deep-sea exploration and surveillance.
-This UUV is poised to enhance maritime security, particularly in anti-submarine warfare, by leveraging advanced propulsion and stealth technologies.
On February 3, 2024 – just shy of two years after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the Russian Navy rolled out its fifth modernized Borei-A Class nuclear ballistic missile submarine from the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, Northern Russia. This new class of undersea predator is alleged to be significantly stealthier than previous Russian submarine designs thanks to its use of pump-jet propulsion – a first for Russia. Russian media has claimed this new submarine is five times quieter than Russia’s latest nuclear-powered Akula-class submarines, and two times quieter than America’s Virginia-class attack submarines.
With at least two more Borei-A Class vessels already in production, it’s clear that, despite Russia’s military woes in Ukraine, the country remains heavily invested in maintaining and extending its potent nuclear strike capabilities, on which Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to increasingly rely to stave off direct Western interference with his military objectives.
But Russia’s undersea fleet may soon be facing a new kind of threat… one that lurks deeper than any of their submarines can sail, hibernating with nearly no detectable electromagnetic emissions, and capable of rapidly coming to life and soaring through the sea like an exotic predator combined with a stealth bomber, taking on submersible threats with a variety of potential payloads, before once again anchoring itself to the seabed to lay in wait once more.
On April 8, Northrop Grumman officially unveiled its new prototype deep sea drone, the Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV). This new undersea drone is designed to conduct extended-duration autonomous operations at long ranges with minimal need for human........