Manta Ray construction puts Annapolis plant into debate over AI combat

When the Pentagon wanted a giant underwater robot, it turned to a little-known factory on the Chesapeake Bay with a history of doing new things. You may have seen pictures of the results online — a sleek, gray sub called Manta Ray. This $50 million unmanned underwater vehicle was developed by Northrop Grumman over four years and constructed at its plant outside Annapolis. That’s a source of pride for the people who work there.