Manta Ray Drones | How US is revolutionizing Underwater Warfare Techniques Forever?

ASME IITR Chapter
3 min readJan 21, 2022

Flightless aircraft that have changed the course of the war in the sky are repeating the oceans as the superpowers develop and send uncrewed submarines (UUVs) to reach important milestones in the Pacific and beyond. While airborne drones are widely used by soldiers worldwide, UUV submarines are a relatively new concept.

The United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia are all developing and deploying ships, signaling the "reunification" of future naval warfare.

INTRODUCTION

The U.K., expanding its military presence in the Pacific, will use its first large submarine to coincide with its Astute-class submarines. The Royal Navy’s efforts to design, build and test such aircraft have been commissioned by Project CETUS to produce a 27-ton, 12-meter Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) monitor.
The U.S. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Phase 2 of the Manta-Ray (UUVs) system. When it comes to drones, airborne vehicles often come to mind. We cover air drones of all sizes, shapes, recyclables, usable ones, and much more. The danger to the soldier’s health in the operation of the navy is no different, so, by 2020, DARPA launched its Manta-Ray Program.

PHASES OF THE PROGRAM

Phase 1 of the program included an initial assessment of energy management, control of rust and pollution in vehicles, and avoidance of obstacles during its work and concluded with Critical Design updates showing design maturity and readiness to move on to the next phase, a media report said. . Two key contractors, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Martin Defense Group have been awarded Phase 2 contracts. Each will develop a fully-fledged display vehicle.
Underwater drones can be used to make a bathymetric map, near recording thermal, magnetic, and acoustic structures of specific underwater corridors to locate blind spots where submarines can travel unnoticed.

APPLICATIONS

Underwater drones can be used for bathymetric mapping, alongside recording the thermal, magnetic, and acoustic properties of specific underwater passages to find blind spots where submarines can travel undetected safely.
It can also be used for mining and mining activities. Underwater drones can detect submarine mines and clear offshore mines. He may reduce, but not eliminate, the need for special divers teams to rediscover, identify, and destroy potential beaches to wage war.
The use of submarine drones for anti-submarine purposes will thus reduce the need to hold artificial naval vessels in these operations. More importantly, when loaded with nuclear weapons, underwater drones can be strategic weapons. Such submarine-powered aircraft can pass enemy missiles through submarines, slippery or close to major coastal cities, harbors, and naval bases for offensive purposes.

CONCLUSION

Drones can also perform anti-submarine operations by diligently searching and tracking enemy submarines without endangering submarines or submarines. The 1971 sinking of the Indian frigate INS Kukri by Pakistani submarine PNS Hangor illustrates the possibility of submarines being easy prey for enemy submarines.
The proliferation of underwater drones in the Pacific region is changing the complexion of underwater warfare, as the region’s maritime environment poses unique operational challenges to underwater operations.

--

--

ASME IITR Chapter

The ASME Student Chapter at IIT Roorkee is an undergraduate club of students majoring in various fields of Engineering.