The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been at the forefront of innovative US military technologies for decades. The Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is one of its most promising in the realm of autonomous submersibles.
DARPA designs the large drone for undersea operations. It is meant to provide long-duration autonomy, stealth, and versatility in various mission configurations, including military surveillance, scientific research, and commercial operations.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) seeks to promote uncrewed technologies and their battlefield application. The Navy is seeking to establish a hybrid fleet, adding advanced technologies and sensors to the force.
According to reports, the Navy plans to fulfill its plans for manned-unmanned teams in phases: prototyping and experimenting from 2024 to 2028; buying and using in 2029 through 2033; and becoming fully operational by 2036. [source]
Images Sourced From: Northrop Grumman, DARPA
1 What are UUVs?
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) are underwater drones that can operate without the need for a human pilot. UUVs are versatile and are used in various applications, including intelligence gathering, mine-hunting, scientific exploration, ship hull inspection, and other commercial activities such as resource exploration. [source, source]
They can be categorized into two main types: [source]
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): Pre-programmed to execute missions independently.
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): Operators control ROVs remotely.
The development of UUVs has seen large progress over the recent years and will continue to innovate going forward.
1.1 Manta Ray’s Development History
DARPA launched the Manta Ray UUV program in 2020, with Northrop Grumman as the primary contractor. The task was to develop an UUV capable of long-duration missions with high levels of autonomy and minimal human oversight. Since then, the program made rapid progress and completed full-scale, in-water testing off the coast of Southern California in February and March 2024. This testing demonstrated the vehicle’s hydrodynamic capabilities and operational readiness, showcasing its potential for real-world operations. DARPA continues to work with the US Navy on the next steps for testing and transition of this technology.[source]
1.2 Specs
What stands out when one looks at released footage of the Manta Ray, is its large size compared to most scientific models of UUVs. It is also significantly larger than a small lifeboat and dwarfs the boat trailing it during testing. Reports indicate a wingspan of 14 metres (45 feet) and a length of 10 metres (33 feet). [source, source]
There is currently a lack of confirmed specifications, likely due to their classified nature. An aerospace focused website reported the following data: [source]
- Maximum Weight: 30 tons
- Power: Lithium-ion batteries for storage; rumored onboard power-generation capability
- Operational Range: 10,000 nautical miles (about 18,520 kilometers)
- Speed: 10 knots (approx. 18.5 km/h)
- Payload: 10 ton
- Sensors: Sonar, camera, radar and other advanced sensors
2 Manta Ray Capabilities
The Manta Ray’s design mimics its name giver, the manta ray, allowing it to blend into marine environments and move efficiently through the water. It features advanced propulsion systems, including buoyancy-driven gliding, which enhances its endurance and stealth capabilities. This type of gliding technology has never been applied at this scale before, making the UUV standout as cutting-edge technology.
The vehicle has a modular structure that allows for multiple payload bays that can be adapted to different mission sets. Its design allows for easy transport, disassembly. and reassembly on-site from five standard shipping containers. The Manta Ray can be launched from a dock or even a ship at sea. This makes it highly versatile for various naval tasks, such as surveillance, mine detection, and mapping. Its modularity is one of its highly unique features. [source]
The Manta Ray is able to operate for extended periods without human intervention. It can anchor to the seafloor and enter a low-power state, allowing it to conserve energy and extend its mission duration. This capability, combined with its modular design, enables rapid deployment and assembly in the field, with the goal of reducing logistical challenges. [source, source]
Its unique features include: [source]
- Autonomy: The UUV successfully navigated and executed mission parameters autonomously.
- Energy Efficiency: Achieved impressive endurance thanks to its novel energy management systems.
- Data Collection: Gathered valuable oceanographic data, proving its potential for scientific research.
- Autonomous Operations: Capable of long-duration missions without human intervention.
- Modularity: Designed to support various payloads, enabling adaptability for different missions.
- Stealth: Operates quietly, making it suitable for sensitive military operations.
2.1 Applications
In military use, the Manta Ray can enhance underwater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, provide logistical support in contested waters, and aid in mine detection. For commercial applications, the Manta Ray can deploy for undersea inspections, resource exploration, and environmental monitoring. The Manta Ray’s ability to collect oceanographic data makes it a valuable tool for scientific research. It can map the ocean floor, study marine life, and gather environmental data, contributing to a better understanding of marine ecosystems. [source]
3 Future Outlook
As the Manta Ray UUV moves toward operational deployment, further technological advancements will likely come to light and its builders will likely overcome any additional challenges they face. One of them is integrating sufficient power sources that can sustain long missions, if the rumors of onboard power-generation technology prove to be untrue. Technologies like lithium-seawater batteries offer promising solutions by leveraging seawater as a reactant to generate power.
Reports also indicate the development of an energy-harvesting system that could power the drone indefinitely. Possible solutions include thermal engines, thermoelectric modules, and tethered undersea kites that use the different flow of water at different depth levels. Technologies like lithium-seawater batteries offer promising solutions by leveraging seawater as a reactant to generate power.
Additionally, the development of air-independent propulsion systems could further enhance the UUV’s ability to stay submerged for extended periods, as demonstrated by a Russian UUV. [source, source]
The future of UUVs, including the Manta Ray, also depends on advancements in AI and machine learning. Integrating these technologies can improve navigation, data analysis, and decision-making capabilities.
3.1 International UUV Development
The development of UUVs is not limited to the United States; other countries actively invest investing in this technology as well:
- China: China is aggressively developing UUVs for both military and civilian use as part of its technological and military modernization. In January 2025, reports indicated that China developed the world’s first drone that can launch from a submerged submarine, loop repeatedly between air and water, and return to the same submarine. [source, source, source]
- India and Japan: Both countries decided to jointly develop underwater surveillance systems to counter Chinese underwater activities. [source]
- Russia: Russia is developing several UUVs, including the Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System, also known as Poseidon. This nuclear-powered UUV can carry a nuclear warhead and can operate at depths of over 3,000 feet (over 900m), traveling at speeds of more than 50 knots. Additionally, Russia has unveiled the Surrogate-V, an autonomous underwater vehicle capable of communication, target search, mine detection, and reconnaissance. It can operate alongside submarines and has advanced capabilities to mimic submarine signatures, making it useful for decoy operations. [source, source, source]
4 Conclusion
DARPA’s Manta Ray UUV represents a step forward in US underwater technology. It can operate independently of manned vessels and ports once deployed, increasing naval capacities without disrupting current operations. Its technology, focusing on autonomy, stealth, and versatility, provides a glimpse into the future of naval warfare. Its potential applications span military, scientific, and commercial domains, making it a critical component in the future of undersea operations. As the Manta Ray and similar UUVs continue to evolve, they will to transform how countries explore, monitor, and interact with the world’s oceans.
