Shadowy sea drone Manta Ray: New photos hint at advanced U.S. tech

American company Northrop Grumman continues to develop its mysterious sea drone. While little is known about the Manta Ray's construction, a recent satellite photo has surfaced online, showing the machine produced for the U.S. military.

The American Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) launched the Manta Ray drone development program in 2020 in response to the need for underwater vehicle development. Prototype photos of this machine, named after the fish commonly known as the manta ray, surfaced on social media in May of this year.

However, more photos have emerged online, which were discovered accidentally by an internet user. The discovery was cited by the RAEFOS Network profile on platform X. The images from Google Earth show that the American sea drone Manta Ray is approximately 30 feet long and about 36 feet wide.

Despite more photos of the Manta Ray vehicle appearing online, it remains a mysterious construction with many unknowns. Publicly available information indicates that during trials in May of this year, after rapid assembly in the field. The drone was tested for propulsion effectiveness, overall buoyancy, and verification of all its systems.

It is well known that the Manta Ray can be disassembled and transported in parts, allowing for rapid deployment to virtually any area in the world. However, DARPA indicated back in May that work on the drone is not yet complete and will continue.

According to American sources, the Manta Ray is primarily intended for reconnaissance operations, leveraging its stealth characteristics (reduced detectability). Additionally, the drone is expected to carry weapons, but the specific payload capacity and potential arsenal remain unknown. Northrop Grumman states that the Manta Ray can anchor on the ocean floor and hibernate in place, consuming very little energy. However, the company has not specified how long such hibernation can last or the vehicle's natural range.