Article already published on May 2, 2024
The manta ray is an animal that inspires arms companies. First with this future underwater drone, but also with the Kronos, also a submarine, developed by Ukrainian engineers.
Weapons inspired by life
Indeed, this drone has a physique well and truly inspired by these marine creatures of the Myliobatidae family. The rounded nose, a flat shape and two perfectly designed rear wings, this metallic manta ray designed by Northrop Grumman, an aerospace and self-defense company, promises autonomy which allows it to carry out long-term missions without assistance or maintenance.
“Deliver revolutionary technology to create strategic surprise”, that’s the mantra of Northrop’s ray. The extra-large glider will therefore be able to:
- anchor to the seafloor and hibernate in a low-power state
- become independent without the need for human logistics
- or to support expeditionary deployment and field assembly around the world to be transported and deployed anywhere, according to data from the group's press release.
Images from the underwater drone Manta Ray
The design of Manta Ray was initiated in 2020, as part of a program launched by the DARPA agency to “improve the design of underwater vehicles”, according to Live Science.
“I'm excited to republish one of the first photos of Manta Ray fully assembled in our Annapoli factorysaid Todd Leavitt, vice president of naval and ocean systems at Northrop Grumman, by re-sharing a post from his own company, revealing the final visuals of Manta Ray.
Three designers, a technological gem
Initially, three designers were commissioned, until Metron INC. withdraws from the project, leaving it to Northrop Grumman and Martin Defense Group LLC to develop innovative prototypes.
A tool that could prove to be a real asset for underwater military operations, and “to simultaneously introduce a new class of underwater vehicles while contributing key component technologies to other vital underwater programs” according to Kyle Woerner, head of the Manta Ray program at DARPA, in a press release published in 2021.
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