The Protection Superior Analysis Tasks Company (DARPA) has raised eyebrows within the final a number of years for initiatives similar to its Advanced Plant Technologies (crops that spy) and ReSource Program (which goals to show trash into meals).
When you’ve got by no means heard of DARPA, it’s a analysis company of the US Division of Protection that creates progressive and cutting-edge know-how for the U.S. navy.
One in every of DARPA’s newest initiatives is the Manta Ray Challenge.
Based on DARPA’s website, the Manta Ray Challenge seeks “to demonstrate innovative technologies allowing payload-capable autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to operate on long-duration, long-range missions in ocean environments without the need for on-site human logistics.”
DARPA tapped protection contractor Northrop Grumman to create a prototype of the Manta Ray.
LOOK:
Along with @DARPA & our trade companions, now we have constructed Manta Ray – a brand new kind of uncrewed underwater car. Manta Ray will function long-duration, long-range missions in ocean environments, going the place people can’t. https://t.co/VbpZrx26Uh #DefiningPossible #SAS2024 pic.twitter.com/2vgJcKWu5W
— Northrop Grumman (@northropgrumman) April 8, 2024
A fish-like robotic that #autonomously roams the #oceans on long-duration missions, harvesting #energy to energy its trek: That’s the objective the Manta Ray undertaking. Be taught extra from @DARPA and @SandiaLabs on this Voices from DARPA podcast. https://t.co/oKtboC7YpN pic.twitter.com/DYj7Y7lWQg
— DARPA (@DARPA) October 20, 2022
Unmanned underwater automobiles (UUVs), also referred to as drones of the ocean, aren’t new improvements.
What is exclusive in regards to the Manta Ray drone is that it may well go on “long-duration missions, harvesting energy to power its trek.”
It additionally has payload functionality, which implies it may well haul cargo or launch warheads wherever the US navy wants them.
Per Naval Technology:
Northrop Grumman Company has introduced the profitable completion of the Manta Ray prototype, an uncrewed underwater car designed to conduct long-duration, long-range missions in difficult ocean environments.
Named after the ocean creature, Manta Ray represents a leap ahead in Northrop Grumman’s undersea exploration know-how, providing autonomous operation with out the necessity for on-site human help.
Based on GlobalData’s Thematic Intelligence on unmanned maritime automobiles, Northrop’s experience in superior networking options and platform growth has led to its participation within the Angler UUV growth programme for the US Navy alongside the Manta Ray programme.
Developed as a part of a Protection Superior Analysis Tasks Company (DARPA) initiative, Manta Ray incorporates applied sciences to boost power administration, enhance payload capability, and optimise propulsion effectivity. These developments pave the best way for prolonged undersea missions, making Manta Ray a flexible platform with quite a lot of purposes.
New US-made underwater drone revealed
The American arms producer Northrop Grumman introduced they’ve accomplished a prototype of a brand new ‘Manta Ray’ long-range underwater unmanned gadget. pic.twitter.com/HHWBNy8Y6E
— The Nice Investor (@TheGreatInvest2) April 9, 2024
