NNEW DELHI: A high-stakes software thriller with characters named Ghost Shark and Manta Ray might soon be the setting for marine threats in the Pacific. These are the monikers of the most recent uncrewed underwater vehicles ( UUVs ) or drones, which Australia and the United States have unveiled. They are not characters from an upcoming blockbuster.
Spirit Shark and Manta Ray are prototypes that, according to a report from CNN, aim to improve underwater warfare while reducing individual risk while improving power projection capabilities. UUVs ‘ inclusion in military plan is a sign of a wider change, similar to the frequent use of flying drones in wars from Iraq and Afghanistan to the continuing conflict in Ukraine.
The challenges of underground contact are important, with obstacles such as water temperature, acidity, and level affecting signal integrity. Despite these obstacles, Ghost Shark was hailed as” the world’s most advanced underwater autonomous cars”. According to a recent statement, these vehicles aim to provide the navy with stealthy, long- range capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance ( ISR ), and strike missions.
Australia’s swift development pace is significant. In just two years, the Ghost Shark job went from being a design to being a reality. Australia’s main defence scholar, Tanya Monro, said:” Delivering the first Spirit Shark prototype before the deadline sets a new regular for ability development at the speed of need.”
The US Navy introduced the intelligent, autonomous diesel-electric underwater Orca UUV as a compact underwater that could support a variety of operations on the other side of the Pacific. The Orca, like the Manta Ray, emphasizes mobility with its ability to adapt its cargo based on the project’s requirements.
The US Department of Defense intends to purchase more products without giving a timeline, despite the Orca having been under development for more than ten years. However, Northrop Grumman’s Manta Ray was tested off Southern California, showcasing its flexibility and ease of implementation, which may improve UUV activities, the CNN statement said.
China is making significant advancements in the field as the US and Australia advance their Weeping technology. China has been developing related systems for at least 15 years, according to Emma Salisbury, a colleague at the American think tank Council on Geostrategy, and may have functional models similar to those found in the Orca.
