US Navy tests 'extra-large' Thunderbirds-style Manta Ray drone sub capable of long-distance unmanned undersea missions

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'

Manufacturers added: 'It is an extra-large glider that will operate long-duration, long-range and payload-capable undersea missions without need for on-site human logistics.'

Testing of at-sea hydrodynamic performance included submerged operations using all the vehicle's modes of propulsion and steering - buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces.

'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,' Dr. Kyle Woerner, DARPA program manager for Manta Ray said. 

'The combination of cross-country modular transportation, in-field assembly, and subsequent deployment demonstrates a first-of-kind capability for an extra-large UUV.'

Northrop Grumman say the prototype was built in Maryland before being shipped in subsections to its test location in California.

The demonstrated ease of shipping and assembly supports the possibility of rapid deployment throughout the world without 'crowding valuable pier space at naval facilities'.

'Shipping the vehicle directly to its intended area of operation conserves energy that the vehicle would otherwise expend during transit,' added Woerner. 

Manufacturer Northrop Grumman said: 'It is an extra-large glider that will operate long-duration, long-range and payload-capable undersea missions without need for on-site human logistics'

Pictured: Thunderbird 2, from the classic British sci-fi series, which bears a striking resemblance to the Manta Ray

'Once deployed, the vehicle uses efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding to move through the water. The craft is designed with several payload bays of multiple sizes and types to enable a wide variety of naval mission sets.'

DARPA say they are engaging with the U.S. Navy on the next steps for testing and transition of this technology.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, previously said she saw robotic systems such as the Manta Ray and other emerging technologies as a way to 'put more players on the field'.

The Navy received a first Orca XLUUV undersea drone from Boeing in December for further testing. The Orca is capable of waging war at depths of 11,000 feet, hunting mines and sinking submarines.