AeroVironment, through its subsidiary VideoRay, has expanded its Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) portfolio with the launch of the Mission Specialist Wraith, a compact platform designed for high-precision subsea operations.
The vehicle is engineered to provide six-degree-of-freedom maneuverability through the use of 10 vectored thrusters. This configuration allows the system to maintain stability and control while holding any attitude, including vertical, inverted, or fully rolled positions, even when operating at depth or in strong currents. The platform is capable of generating up to 80 pounds of forward thrust and simultaneous lift, which facilitates rapid transit to targets and steady station-keeping during complex tasks.
Developed by VideoRay, a wholly owned subsidiary of AeroVironment, the Wraith utilizes an open-architecture design. This philosophy supports rapid reconfiguration in the field and the seamless integration of third-party payloads, such as advanced imaging sensors, navigation systems, and manipulation tools. These features make the vehicle suitable for a range of applications across the defense, scientific, and subsea inspection sectors.
Chris Gibson, Chief Executive Officer at VideoRay, commented, “Modern operations increasingly depend on access, awareness, and freedom of maneuver below the surface. Wraith gives forces a compact, rapidly deployable system that delivers the precision and control once reserved for much larger vehicles, helping operators extend reach, reduce risk to personnel, and respond faster in complex maritime environments. It expands what compact UUVs can achieve while improving overall mission efficiency.”
The initial release of the Wraith in its expeditionary configuration represents the first phase of a planned spiral development process. AeroVironment intends for future iterations of the platform to offer increased depth ratings, expanded payload capacities, and enhanced endurance to meet evolving maritime requirements. As a provider of multi-domain autonomous systems, the company’s expansion into more agile underwater platforms highlights a focus on modularity and field serviceability for expeditionary forces.
