Navy

What Does the U.S. Military Want with Robot Manta Ray Subs?

In the near future, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) wants to deploy autonomous submarines that can take on months-long missions without any in-person human logistical support or maintenance.

Earlier this month, DARPA awarded contracts to three companies that will help develop the naval vessels: Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, and Navatek, LLC. A fourth company, Metron, Inc., is working on solutions specific to undersea energy harvesting techniques that will allow the autonomous subs to seamlessly operate at great depths.

Their work is part of DARPA's new "Manta Ray" program, which will advance technology for future unmanned undersea vehicles. The name relates to an artist's mockup of one of these potential subs, which resembles a Manta Ray. With little human support required, DARPA hopes these vessels will eventually become another arrow in combatant commanders' quivers.