DARPA awards contracts for Phase 2 of Manta Ray programme
Artist’s concept of a Manta Ray UUV (photo – DARPA)
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Martin Defense Group were selected to build and test Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The companies are each developing unique full-scale demonstration systems.
DARPA has awarded on 20 December Phase 2 agreements to continue the Manta Ray programme. The two prime contractors, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Martin Defense Group were selected to build and test unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The total amount of the contracts was not disclosed.
The companies are each developing unique full-scale demonstration systems. This effort began in 2020 and is intended to design and advance UUVs that operate for extended durations without the need for on-site human logistics support or maintenance.
In Phase 1, performers designed and conducted preliminary testing on novel approaches in energy management, UUV reliability, biofouling and corrosion control, navigation and undersea obstacle avoidance, among other areas that directly enable long-endurance missions.
This first stage was concluded with critical design reviews that demonstrated design maturity and readiness for advancement to Phase 2. The selected performers will now work on subsystem testing followed by fabrication and in-water demonstrations of full-scale integrated vehicles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK Royal Navy Type 31 frigate enters capability insertion period with Babcock]()
UK Royal Navy Type 31 frigate enters capability insertion period with Babcock
The capability insertion phase will upgrade the navy's Type 31 frigates with modern systems in addition to those specified during its design phase.
-
![Aselsan completes Barbaros frigate mid-life upgrade project]()
Aselsan completes Barbaros frigate mid-life upgrade project
The upgrade has replaced a significant number of systems and elements with indigenous Turkish technology.
-
![HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries sign MoU to explore shipbuilding collaboration]()
HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries sign MoU to explore shipbuilding collaboration
The Memorandum of Understanding focused on speeding up naval shipbuilding and production in both companies.
-
![Latest Virginia-class submarine, USS Iowa, commissioned]()
Latest Virginia-class submarine, USS Iowa, commissioned
SSN-797 was commissioned as USS Iowa, the first Virginia-class submarine of the second Trump administration. It was described as “just the beginning” of a revitalisation of US naval shipbuilding by Secretary of the Navy John Phelan.
-
![Raytheon, Nammo and Northrop Grumman join forces to produce MK72 solid rocket motors]()
Raytheon, Nammo and Northrop Grumman join forces to produce MK72 solid rocket motors
MK72 is a crucial capability for the SM-3 interceptors and the Aegis BMD system.
