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# Northrop Grumman Manta Ray Autonomous Long-Endurance Underwater Vehicle for Persistent Maritime Surveillance and Undersea Warfare
- URL: https://www.warfaredecoded.com/northrop-grumman-manta-ray-autonomous-long-endurance-underwater-vehicle-for-persistent-maritime-surveillance-and-undersea-warfare/
- Published: 2026-07-26T11:30:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-26T11:30:17.000Z
- Author: Kevin Macmellon
- Tags: News

**A New Generation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles**

Northrop Grumman's **Manta Ray** is an experimental **uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV)** developed under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to demonstrate long-duration autonomous operations beneath the ocean surface. Inspired by the movement and efficiency of the marine manta ray, the vehicle is designed to travel thousands of miles while consuming minimal energy, enabling persistent undersea missions without requiring a support ship nearby.

Unlike conventional submarines or remotely operated underwater vehicles, Manta Ray is intended to operate independently for extended periods, making it suitable for missions in remote and contested maritime environments.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1e/44/1e448b0d-1e44-4bbb-bad8-c4da165a2995/content/images/2026/07/Northrop-Grumman-Manta-Ray-Underwater-Vehicle-Beneath-the-Surface.png)

Northrop Grumman Manta Ray Underwater Vehicle Beneath the Surface

**Built for Long-Endurance Missions**

One of the Manta Ray's most distinctive features is its **glider-style hydrodynamic design**, which allows it to move efficiently through the water while minimizing power consumption. The platform is engineered for months-long deployments and can travel vast distances without constant human supervision.

Another innovative capability is its **low-power seabed hibernation mode**. When not actively conducting missions, the vehicle can settle on the ocean floor, significantly reducing energy usage before resuming operations when required. This capability could greatly extend operational endurance compared to traditional underwater platforms.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1e/44/1e448b0d-1e44-4bbb-bad8-c4da165a2995/content/images/2026/07/Northrop-Grumman-Manta-Ray-Detailed-Overview.png)

**Supporting Intelligence and Maritime Security**

The Manta Ray is designed to support a wide range of naval missions, including **intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), environmental monitoring, seabed mapping, and maritime domain awareness**. Its autonomous operation allows military commanders to gather information in areas that may be difficult or risky for crewed submarines.

Because it can remain underwater for extended periods with minimal logistical support, the vehicle offers a cost-effective way to monitor critical sea lanes, protect undersea infrastructure, and enhance situational awareness in strategic regions.

**Successful At-Sea Testing**

In 2024, Northrop Grumman successfully completed **in-water testing** of the Manta Ray prototype after assembling the vehicle in California and transporting it in modular sections for sea trials. The demonstrations validated the vehicle's hydrodynamic performance, autonomous navigation systems, propulsion, and overall mission capabilities under realistic operating conditions.

Author: Kevin Macmellon