These are prototype uncrewed underwater vehicles just introduced, respectively, by Australia and the United States: the Ghost Shark and the Manta Ray. These advanced submersibles will mark a revolution in undersea warfare, providing more capability with less risk to human life.
Anduril Australia has developed the Ghost Shark world’s most advanced undersea autonomous vehicle. According to the Australian Department of Defense, this UUV is set to provide a stealthy, long-range autonomous undersea warfare capability that can perform persistent ISR and strike missions. The first production models are expected to be delivered by the end of next year. Details about Ghost Shark itself are classified, but officials hailed the fact that the development had gone from concept to testing in less than two years. Shane Arnott, Anduril’s senior vice president for engineering, said the development was ahead of schedule and under budget.
Similarly, Emma Salisbury, a fellow at the British think tank Council on Geostrategy, said Ghost Shark does appear to be a US-developed Orca extra-large UUV, with onboard facilities for missions such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance as well as anti-submarine. According to the US Navy, Boeing-built Orca is an advanced, autonomous, unmanned, diesel-electric submarine with a modular payload section for various missions. The Pentagon plans to purchase over five more Orcas but has not released any timeline to do so. The Orca has been in the developmental process for over a decade, which certainly is not at any rapid pace, similar to Ghost Shark.
Meanwhile, another advanced UUV, Northrop Grumman’s Manta Ray, successfully tested off the coast of Southern California in February and March 2024. DARPA stressed the modularity ability to change out payloads depending on the missions of the Manta Ray. The UUV can be transported in five standard shipping containers, assembled in the field, and launched. Kyle Woerner, head of the Manta Ray program at DARPA, noted that the modular transport method saves internal energy for the UUV mission. While it started in 2020, the Manta Ray’s program has not moved as quickly as Ghost Shark’s, and DARPA has not timed its deployment into the US fleet.
The launch of Ghost Shark and Manta Ray will indeed be a quantum leap in undersea warfare technology by offering increased capability and strategic advantage in the Pacific region.