Black Manta is the nickname for a stealth reconnaissance aircraft of the United States that is still very mysterious.

Its official name is believed to be SR-91 Aurora or an advanced variant of the stealth project.

*Why is it called Black Manta*
Its shape is said to resemble a manta ray, with wide triangular wings and no tail. Its body is matte black to make it hard to detect by radar and visually at night.

*What is known from rumors + sightings*
1. *Role*: Long-range reconnaissance and penetration of enemy territory without detection. It is said to be able to fly at hypersonic speeds, Mach 5 and above.
2. *Technology*: Pulse detonation engine, anti-radar system, and wave-absorbing material. Its heat signature is suppressed to avoid detection by infrared satellites.
3. *Status*: The US Air Force has never acknowledged its existence. But civilians often report seeing a noisy black triangle in the skies over California, Nevada, and around Area 51 from the 80s to the present.

So Black Manta has not been officially confirmed. It could be a black project, or a combination of other aircraft like the B-2, RQ-180, or stealth drone.