Military

Video: First look at DARPA's massive Manta Ray drone in action

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DARPA's Manta Ray on the surface
Northrop Grumman
DARPA's Manta Ray on the surface
Northrop Grumman
The new videos give more info on the Manta Ray
Northrop Grumman
The Manta ray being launched for sea trials
Northrop Grumman
Close up of one of Manta Ray's propellers
Northrop Grumman
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Northrop Grumman has revealed more details on its robotic Manta Ray submersible in some new videos. These include a 4K 360° tour of the first test dive and a rundown on the project with images from never-before-seen angles.

When Northrop Grumman put its Manta Ray prototype to sea earlier this year, it was the culmination of four years of work on DARPA's project to develop an autonomous ExtraLarge Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) that was capable of carrying out long-range, long-duration missions without human supervision.

This not only required a craft so large that it could only be launched from a pier rather than a ship or a submarine, it also required a new approach that would allow it to cover great distances over many months for very little energy expenditure.

The result was a futuristic glider capable of carrying very large payloads over long distances, using a glider-inspired propulsion system – the Manta Ray changes its buoyancy to rise up through the water, then 'glides' downward, taking advantage of a hydrodynamically optimised hull.

“A glider has a really intriguing propulsion mechanism, falling forward [with purpose] through the water all the time, both upward and downward,” said Brian Theobald, principal investigator and chief engineer for Manta Ray at Northrop Grumman. “When Manta Ray needs to go up or down, it changes buoyancy by pumping sea water to change the weight of the vehicle.”

The videos include the one embedded below that is a high-resolution VR view of the test dives. Another is more in-depth (sorry for the pun), but you'll have to follow the link here to see it because Northrop Grumman has disabled embed playback.

The first video above provides us with answers to many of the questions about Manta Ray. Showing it both being moved about on land and skimming through the water, the footage reveals that propulsion is provided by two four-bladed propellers set on the edge of the wings instead of four props as previously thought. It also shows some of the craft's underwater maneuverability and confirms that it can loiter on the sea bottom when necessary to conserve power.

"Manta Ray’s uncrewed capability is critical because we want to keep humans out of harm’s way during long missions in potentially dangerous environments," said Joe Deane, Manta Ray program manager.

Source: Northrop Grumman

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7 comments
Username
There's a huge market for this thing with drug runners!
ljaques
I certainly hope that the main cameras and sensors are better than the potato they used to take that video.
Nelson
It is so encouraging to know humanity is always working diligently on new and innovative ways for us to kill our fellow man.
David
The author clearly doesn't know anything about engineering, let alone nautical engineering.
'allows it to propel itself mainly by rising up through the water and then gliding down'
'confirms that it can loiter on the sea bottom when necessary to conserve power'
How the flip does the video confirm this?
mudman
Any facility for boat & ship Avoidance? A lot to loose if it is hit,
sidmehta
The most meaningless article ever at New Atlas. Article doesn't even say what this can do that an unmanned sub cannot.
Aermaco
This ship is unique being a glider that moves silently during its gravity drive mode but less with up hill power source. The overall efficiency may not excel too significantly due to it still requiring energy obviously to gain altitude for the next glide.

However its is likely more efficient compared to a steady travel cruise speed in points a to b.

I know for certain that my hypermulling in hill country saves has vs steady speed. Up and own hills as it is helped by full dive coasting for longest runout which is easily ruined but traffic.