The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has made a major breakthrough in underwater drone technology with the development of a prototype inspired by a manta ray.
An autonomous underwater drone
This vehicle, created by Northrop Grumman, is characterized by its ability to generate its own energy and operate for a prolonged period of time underwater without the need for external intervention. The drone, which is part of DARPA’s ambitious Manta Ray program, is intended to support and deliver cargo to U.S. ships at sea.
The full-scale prototype of this underwater drone, recently unveiled by the company, is in the final stages of assembly and is expected to undergo operational testing later this year, although the company has not released details. According to Kyle Woerner, Manta Ray program manager, the project arose from the need to further explore the ocean environment and develop underwater vehicles with significantly extended ranges.
Northrop Grumman’s vision
The objective is to create an autonomous vehicle that is not only capable of collecting energy, but also of executing various assigned missions without human supervision.
Under this context, the main challenge faced by this type of technology is the need for a system that can efficiently manage its energy and propulsion in an underwater environment, where conditions are more adverse than on land due to the salt corrosion and the presence of marine life. In addition, these vehicles must be capable of navigating around obstacles such as seaweed, rocks or crevices in the seabed.
To address these challenges, the team has developed energy-saving technologies that allow the drone to anchor itself to the seafloor and enter a low-energy hibernation state.
Northrop also notes that its remote charging station system will not only facilitate the exchange of power between the station and the stingray, but will allow for the theoretical sending of large amounts of data from the vehicle to the station via what they describe as “data bubbles.”
“Data bubbles are tiny electronic devices that store data“, says Brian Theobald, chief engineer for Northrop’s Manta Ray program. “When released from the station, they float to the surface and begin using their radio frequency satellite communications antenna to transmit data to land, a satellite or a ship.“.
As underwater drone technology advances, there is considerable potential for its application in non-military fields, such as scientific research and environmental monitoring. These drones could revolutionize the way underwater mapping, mine detection and ecological monitoring are conducted, offering new tools to study changes in marine ecosystems and respond more effectively to ocean emergencies.
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Source and photo: elconfidencial.com
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