Security News > 2023 > September > DARPA takes its long-duration Manta undersea drone for a test-dip

DARPA's extended-duration unmanned undersea vehicle is having its first aquatic excursion to test if this naval drone has wings, er, fins.

The splash test was part of DARPA's Manta Ray program for America's next-generation of undersea power projection, with PacMar Technologies and Northrop Grumman each building their own prototype UUVs.

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To do that, DARPA wants Manta Ray equipped with energy management techniques that allow it to harvest energy "At operationally relevant depths." When asked how DARPA intends to do that, Woerner told us there are several options.

DARPA also wants Manta Ray to include a low-power, high efficiency undersea propulsion system, "New low-power means" of underwater detection and classification of hazards, and the like.

Northrop-Grumman doesn't intend to dip its UUV in the water until next year, DARPA said.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/09/28/darpa_underwater_drone/