Two companies will cooperate to develop more capable autonomous control systems for the K40 MANTA Unmanned Submersible Vehicle. The system is also called unmanned surface-subsurface Vehicle (USSV). This is the largest member of Kraken’s MANTA family of Submersible USVs. Developed control systems will contribute to evaluations of electrical powertrain and control components.
K40 MANTA is designed to carry out various missions such as ISR, Electronic Warfare, ASW and Strike with a payload capacity of around 1000 kg and a maximum endurance of ten days.
The design sports a form reminiscent of a dolphin. The structure aims at improving hydrodynamic efficiency for both surface and subsurface cruise. To allow for higher speeds during surface cruise, K40 MANTA rides on hydrofoils, reducing the hydrodynamic drag.
The most striking features of USVs as an emerging branch of USVs are their stealthiness and high surface cruise performance. A conventional USV can reach high speeds, while a large UUV is difficult to detect as it travels underwater. Submersible USVs combine both advantages, making them ideal for ISR and deep strikes, requiring speed and stealthiness.
Turkish SEFİNE Shipyard is also developing a submersible USV of a similar operational concept Nebula-class designed for research, ASW, ASuW and ISR missions. There are some other unmanned development studies at smaller size conducted in Turkiye. Havelsan focuses on IDA, while ARES and Meteksan Savunma develop ULAQ Kama.
