US Navy's Secret Manta-Ray Drone Seen On Google Maps - WATCH First Look

A top-secret autonomous Drone developed by the US Navy for extended underwater missions was discovered by Google Maps users who were exploring the coasts around Naval Base San Diego.

The American prototype weapon Drone, named the 'Manta Ray,' was identified at the Port Hueneme naval base in California on Sunday by eagle-eyed GMap users, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, X user wrote, "Satellite images show Manta-Ray Underwater Drone at a US Navy Base In California." He also shared a screenshot of the Google Maps satellite version in which one can clearly see the drone.

What is a US Manta Ray?

The Manta Ray, an unmanned undersea vessel (UUV) with a sleek design inspired by the sea creature, is capable of anchoring itself deep underwater while operating in low-power mode. It was produced by Northrop Grumman as part of a US Navy initiative aimed at developing long-range underwater weapons.

The Manta Ray was designed to demonstrate critical technologies for a new class of long-duration, long-range, payload-capable UUVs. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced that in-water testing of the Manta Ray had been completed.

According to Dr. Kyle Woerner, the Manta Ray program manager at DARPA, the drone employs "efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding to move through the water," as reported by Hindustan Times. The successful full-scale testing of the Manta Ray validated the vehicle's readiness to progress toward real-world operations.

Over a period of three months, the Manta Ray was subjected to rigorous testing off the coast of Southern California, as reported by the Telegraph. DARPA's press statement indicated that the field testing had concluded, demonstrating the Manta Ray's hydrodynamic performance at sea, including submerged operations using all the vehicle's modes of propulsion and steering: buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces.

The Manta Ray, resembling a vessel from 'Star Wars,' boasts a modular design with several payload bays of various sizes, accommodating a wide range of naval mission sets. This design feature allows the craft to be disassembled and transported in standard shipping containers, eliminating the need for specialized port facilities.

DARPA added that if successful, this new class of UUV would significantly enhance combatant commander capacity without disrupting current operations, as it remains independent of manned vessels and ports once deployed.

Defence analysts have speculated that the US Navy's focus on drone technology is intended to counter the Drone operations of Russia and China. Russian underwater drones are reported to have a range of approximately 6,200 miles, can be armed with nuclear warheads, and can reach speeds of up to 100 knots, or about 115 mph.

Dr. Woerner concluded his statement by noting that the Manta Ray's combination of cross-country modular transportation, in-field assembly, and subsequent deployment demonstrates a first-of-its-kind capability for an extra-large UUV.