AeroVironment has announced the launch of the Mission Specialist Wraith, a next-generation compact Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) that dramatically elevates the capability of expeditionary subsea systems. Developed by its subsidiary, VideoRay, Wraith is engineered to deliver power, precision, and agility previously associated with larger, less portable platforms.
The vehicle’s core innovation is its advanced propulsion system, which utilizes 10 vectored thrusters to achieve true six-degree-of-freedom maneuverability. This allows Wraith to perform complex movements, holding any attitude—including vertical, inverted, or fully rolled—while maintaining precise stability and control. This capability is critical for operating effectively in strong currents, at depth, and in cluttered environments where precision is paramount for inspection, defense, or scientific tasks.
“Modern undersea operations require access, awareness, and freedom of maneuver,” said Chris Gibson, CEO of VideoRay. “Wraith delivers the control of a much larger vehicle in a compact, rapidly deployable package. It extends an operator’s reach, reduces risk to personnel, and accelerates response times in complex maritime settings.”
Built on VideoRay’s open-architecture Mission Specialist design philosophy, Wraith supports rapid reconfiguration and seamless integration of third-party payloads. Its modularity allows it to be equipped with advanced imaging sonars, navigation sensors, and manipulation tools tailored for specific missions. With up to 80 pounds of forward thrust and simultaneous lift capacity, the UUV can execute rapid transits to a target area and then switch to precise station-keeping for detailed work.
The initial release is an Expeditionary configuration, designed as the first step in a spiral development plan. Future iterations of the Wraith platform are slated to expand its operational depth, increase payload capacity and endurance, and enhance overall system flexibility. This planned evolution ensures the platform will adapt to evolving customer requirements and integrate emerging technologies.
By combining extreme maneuverability with rugged, expeditionary-ready design in a compact form factor, the Mission Specialist Wraith signals a significant step forward. It redefines the potential of small UUVs, offering operators a powerful new tool for achieving subsea dominance across military, commercial, and research domains.
