By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News
The US and China are locked in yet another competition for military technological supremacy, this one involving underwater drones that both have a resemblance to the manta ray – the creature also known as the devil fish.
In the case of the US, the program is actually called Manta Ray. It’s run by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and at this stage involves prototypes built by Northrop Grumman and PacMar Technologies. The Northrop model underwent tests off the coast of Southern California earlier this year.
Meanwhile, according to a report on China Central Television (CCTV), China has six variants of what is described as soft-bodied submersibles that imitate the manta ray, and they have started what is called “practical deployment” in the South China Sea.
According to reports, larger versions for armed reconnaissance are being developed.
According to CCTV, the submersibles were developed by a team at Northwestern Polytechnical University of China after studying manta rays. The current version is equipped with cameras, sonar and the BeiDou Satellite Navigation System.
In the last year, the drones have completed 60-day “glides” underwater. Researchers are preparing to carry out deep-sea testing of an 800 kilogram version.
“In the future, ton-class prototypes will be developed, enabling the carrying of heavier payloads and sailing to farther distances,” said Cao Yong, one of the university professors on the team. “This will allow reconnaissance with higher efficiency, and eventually reach armed reconnaissance capabilities.”
A Beijing-based military expert told China’s official Global Times the new drones have a number of advantages. By imitating how manta rays swim, he said, the submersibles probably have more endurance, longer range and better acoustic stealth than traditional submarines. That could lead to them being used in anti-sub and anti-ship warfare.
Ret. Gen. John Murray, Former Commander, Army Futures Command
Meanwhile, DARPA was pleased after tests of the Northrop Manta Ray prototype in February and March. The testing was said to include submerged operations using the all of the vehicle’s modes of propulsion and steering.
A key part of the test happened on land. Northrop shipped the Manta Ray from its factory in Maryland to California, where it was assembled. That shows the submersible could be deployed quickly throughout the world without tying up pier space at naval bases.
“Our successful, full-scale Manta Ray testing validates the vehicle’s readiness to advance toward real-world operations after being rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections,” said Dr. Kyle Woerner, who runs the program for DARPA. “The combination of cross-country modular transportation, in-field assembly and subsequent deployment demonstrates a first-of-kind capability for an extra-large UUV (uncrewed underwater vehicle).”
DARPA and the US Navy are determining what will be the next steps in the Manta Ray’s development.
The Navy has been working on an underwater drone program for some time. The AUKUS alliance (Australia, the UK and the US) has been developing UUVs, including those small enough to be launched from a submarine’s torpedo tubes. Those drones could be used both for reconnaissance and attack missions.
Last December, the Navy took delivery of its first Orca extra-large UUV. The submarine, built by Boeing, is 85 feet long and weighs 80 tons. The Navy plans to use the Orca for laying sea mines – but it could end up assuming more duties.
