DARPA advances unmanned underwater vehicle project

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials said the organization has executed contract options to continue the Manta Ray project, which seeks to demonstrate technologies toward unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV).

“Manta Ray performers have each taken unique approaches to solving the wide range of challenges related to UUV endurance,” CDR Kyle Woerner, the program manager for Manta Ray, said. “To me, this is a clear sign we are tackling a complex problem without a clear ‘one size fits all’ solution. The goals of this new class of undersea vehicle and its critical component technologies are to inform, as well as transition into, future Navy UUV efforts.”

The endeavor focuses on allowing payload-capable unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to operate on long-duration, long-range missions in ocean environments, with authorities noting the three prime contractors would be Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Martin Defense Group, LLC (formerly Navatek, LLC), and Metron, Inc.

The Navy is targeting the development of UUVs capable of operating for extended durations without the need for on-site human logistics support or maintenance. The aim will also address challenges spanning energy management, UUV reliability, biofouling, corrosion control, navigation, underwater obstacle avoidance and other areas potentially beneficial to Navy operations.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Martin Defense Group, LLC, would continue to focus on fully-integrated demonstration vehicles development while Metron, Inc., is slated to advance progress on a new energy harvesting subsystem.