Angeline Leishman
Martin Defense Group was awarded a $54.8 million contract to develop control software and energy harvesting module for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s long-range unmanned underwater vessel.
The effort is under the second developmental phase of DARPA’s Manta Ray UUV program and the Honolulu, Hawaii-based small business is expected to complete the software and module by August 2024, the Department of Defense said Wednesday.
Manta Ray is envisioned to serve as an underwater drone that can cover long distances without the need for immediate human logistics or maintenance support.
Under the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, Martin Defense will perform work at locations in Hawaii, Washington state, Virginia, Rhode Island, North Carolina and Massachusetts.
DARPA used $16.91 million in fiscal 2021 research, development, test and engineering money to fund the award.
Martin Defense, then Navatek, first secured a position on the Manta Ray program in March 2020. The initiative has three developmental phases.
