It looks like Manta Ray, a US submarine prototype weapon, was recently spotted by Google Maps users. Reportedly the weapon that has been shrouded in mystery went viral with pictures of it surfacing on the internet.
As reported by The New York Post, the submarine – which is an underwater drone – was seen docked at the Port Hueneme naval base in California. It looks like after Manta Ray’s image got leaked online, Manta Ray disappeared. It is believed that the pictures of Manta Ray have been apparently replaced with boats.
Manta Ray spotted
“It [Manta Ray] uses efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding to move through the water … our successful, full-scale Manta Ray testing validates the vehicle’s readiness to advance toward real-world operations,” Dr Kyle Woerner of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), was quoted by The New York Post.
Notably, the modular design of Manta Ray seems to allow disassembly and transport in ordinary shipping containers. This feature eventually removes the need for dedicated port facilities. The US Navy had tested Manta Ray off Southern California for over three months, as reported by the Telegraph.
Defense analysts believe US’s drone technology is aimed at countering Russian and Chinese submarine operations. Earlier DARPA seems to have explained that “The program is using a disciplined systems engineering approach to define demonstration system objectives and identify enabling technologies needed for future systems.”
What is Manta Ray?
According to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the vessel is a multi-phase effort, including at-sea demonstration of critical technologies. The sub drone is named after Manta Ray which is a cartilaginous fish that is known for its distinctive, broad, diamond-shaped body with triangular pectoral fins. It is believed that the fish can stay underwater for a longer period of time.
The NY Post explained that the vessel, which resembles the Manta Ray, has a slick design and can anchor itself deep underwater while operating in low-power mode. Amid its ongoing war against Ukraine, Russia is expected to be developing underwater drones of its own.
Reportedly, the submarine is built by Northrop Grumman as part of a US Navy project. This project is expected to involve developing long-range underwater weapons. The report also highlighted that Manta Ray can hibernate on the seafloor for “very long periods” without a need for refueling. Looks like unlike its name, it vanished from the internet too soon!
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