Northrop Grumman stealth Manta Ray drone exposed by satellite photos

American company Northrop Grumman continues to develop its mysterious sea drone. Little is known about the Manta Ray's construction; however, a recent satellite photo shows the machine produced for the US military.

Recall that the American Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) launched the Manta Ray drone development program in 2020. It responds to the need for underwater vehicle development. Prototype photos of this machine, named after the fish, the so-called sea devil (British: manta ray), surfaced on social media in May of this year.

However, more photos have surfaced online, which one of the internet users accidentally found. The discovery is cited by the RAEFOS Network profile on platform X. The materials come from Google Earth, a tool that collects satellite photos and generates 3D images of objects on Earth. Based on the satellite images, it can be determined that the American sea drone Manta Ray is about 9 metres long and about 11 metres wide.

Although more photos of the Manta Ray vehicle are appearing online, the drone is still fundamentally a mysterious construction about which little is known. From publicly available information, during trials in May of this year, the Americans confirmed the equipment's readiness to adapt to real-world operations after rapid assembly in the field. The drone was tested for propulsion effectiveness, overall buoyancy, and verification of all systems serving the machine.

It is well known that the Manta Ray is a construction that can be disassembled and transported in parts. This benefit allows for the rapid movement of equipment to virtually any area in the world. However, DARPA indicated back in May of this year that work on the drone has not yet been completed and will continue.

According to American sources, the Manta Ray is equipment primarily for conducting reconnaissance operations. This will be determined by its stealth characteristics (reduced detectability). Moreover, the drone is to carry weapons, but the specific payload capacity and potential arsenal of the "sea devil" from the USA are unknown. Northrop Grumman states that the Manta Ray is to be adapted to anchor on the ocean floor and hibernate in one place, consuming very little energy. The company, however, does not specify how long such hibernation can last and the vehicle's natural range.