US Navy tests 'extra-large' Thunderbirds-style Manta Ray drone sub

I love the envelope. this can pack on board torpedos, mini drone torpedos and anthing else you want.  better yet, a close in surface vessal could operate them in numbers using local comm ability.

Mini torpedos are surely on the way able to damage any hull.  Now imagine a destroyer screen operating a dozen of these each packing a dozen mini torpedoes.  that can put over a thousand guided munitions in the water on effective contact.  

Perfect counter to a wave of landing craft.

this will also have plenty of civilian app as well in mapping the ocean floor in fine detail and close up.

US Navy tests 'extra-large' Thunderbirds-style Manta Ray drone sub capable of long-distance unmanned undersea missionsThe Manta Ray drone completed testing in the last three months off California

The new class of uncrewed underwater vehicle's future missions are unknown

It moves through the water using 'efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding'

By MATTHEW COX

PUBLISHED: 05:04 EDT, 2 May 2024 | UPDATED: 15:27 EDT, 2 May 2024

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13374559/US-Navy-Thunderbirds-style-Manta-Ray-drone-sub.html

A Thunderbirds-style military vehicle designed for unmanned, long-distance underwater missions has completed in-water testing.

The Manta Ray prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) completed the full-scale testing off the coast of Southern California over the last three months, according to manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

Manta Ray was built through the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program.

Although its future missions have not been revealed, Northrop Grumman describe the vehicle as a 'new class of UUV'.

It moves through the water using 'efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding' and could reduce need for as much human involvement in underwater missions.

A Thunderbirds-style Manta Ray drone has completed in-water testing off the coast of California

The military vehicle is designed for unmanned, long-distance underwater missions

Dr. Kyle Woerner, the Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program manager for Manta Ray said: 'Our successful, full-scale Manta Ray testing validates the vehicle's readiness to advance toward real-world operations after being rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections'