Ghost Shark and Manta Ray: Australia and US unveil undersea drones

Ghost Shark and Manta Ray are prototype uncrewed underwater vehicles recently introduced by Australia and the United States. These UUVs or drones are considered the future of undersea warfare, offering the ability to exert power while minimizing risks to human life. While drones are commonly used in aerial warfare, underwater communications pose challenges due to factors like water temperature, salinity, and depth. The development of military UUVs aims to overcome these challenges, with prototypes like Ghost Shark and Orca being designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities. These UUVs are modular and can carry different payloads for various missions. Other countries such as China, Canada, France, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom are also working on UUV development.