Australia and the US have just unveiled two state-of-the-art prototype UUVs, Ghost Shark and Manta Ray, in one giant leap for the development of naval defense technology that is expected to usher in a new frontier in undersea warfare capability with minimal risk to human life.
The Ghost Shark, developed in collaboration with Anduril Australia, is being heralded as one of the most advanced autonomous underwater vehicles in the world. The Australian Ministry of Defense said Ghost Shark will provide the Navy with a stealthy, long-range autonomous undersea warfare capability able to conduct persistent ISR and strike missions. Delivery of the first production models is expected by the end of next year.
Anduril Senior Vice President for Engineering Shane Arnott highlighted that Ghost Shark was developed so fast when he said the delivery of the prototype well ahead of schedule sets a new benchmark for capability development. Its effectiveness in delivering against the goals of this program was also pointed out by Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro.
Emma Salisbury, a fellow with the British think tank Council on Geostrategy, put Ghost Shark in perspective against the US’s Orca extra-large UUV and said that both could be aimed at similar missions, especially anti-submarine ones.
Boeing’s Orca is described as an advanced, autonomous unmanned diesel-electric submarine of the US Navy with a modular payload section to carry out numerous missions. Its modular nature means that the Orca can be fitted out with various weapons or specialized reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering equipment. After more than a decade in development, the Orca program underlines how complex and ambitious the making of such advanced UUVs is.
Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman’s Manta Ray is America’s latest entry in the burgeoning arena of UUVs. Tested off Southern California earlier this year, its strength is based on modularity and ease of switching payloads depending on whatever mission is at hand. According to DARPA, the Pentagon branch responsible for developing new technologies, the Manta Ray had an innovative way of transport in conserving inner energy rather than using it to reach sites where missions are deployed.
Kyle Woerner, program manager for Manta Ray at DARPA, further added that putting together cross-country modular transport with in-field assembly and subsequent deployment demonstrates a first-of-its-kind capability for an extra-large UUV. The modular design will further enhance operational flexibility while ensuring that Manta Ray can be forward-deployed and quickly reassembled in various locations.
While the Manta Ray program kicked off in 2020, DARPA has not yet given an exact timeline for when the craft will enter the US fleet. Still, the fact that its collaboration with the US Navy continues means further testing and development are expected to take place.
Except for Australia, the US and other countries investing in UUV technology include Canada, France, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. While variously invested, the strategic significance of these advanced submersibles is certainly viewed as great for modern naval warfare.