Northrop Grumman has completed the prototype of the Manta Ray underwater drone, designed for long-range, long-duration missions with minimal human intervention. The prototype was unveiled at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference in Maryland in April 8.

The Manta Ray program was initiated by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 2020 to develop a large underwater drone that can operate independently of manned vessels. Northrop and PacMar Technologies were selected to design and build preliminary versions.

Northrop Grumman executive Todd Leavitt stated that the design can carry large payloads over long distances without requiring maintenance or refueling. Key considerations for Manta Ray development include communication capabilities, efficient propulsion systems, and low-power threat detection and classification systems.

The U.S. military is increasingly interested in uncrewed technologies, with the Navy aiming to establish a hybrid fleet combining sailors, Marines, and smart machinery. Northrop Grumman, ranked as the third-largest defense contractor by defense-related revenue, earned $32.4 billion in 2022 according to Defense News.