The Fly Manta is a multirole fighter-bomber, intended to be utilized against both air and ground targets. The Fly Manta's large engines and comparitively high thrust-to-weight ratio give it excellent speed, and substantial fuel stores give it a decent loiter time.

As an attack unit, the Fly Manta isn't so bad off. The usual quadrule 25mm machineguns have been replaced with two 40mm's. A pair of triple missile launchers serve as the Fly Manta's primary weapon system, and have been recorded as being capable of destroying Zeon mobile suits at close range.

Though it is fully capable of attacking ground targets, its low maximum altitude and lack of vertical-attack weaponry make it inferior for hitting well-entrenched enemy forces. Furthermore, it suffers a weak vitality, much like many other Federation aircraft. When high-altitude is necessary, or the attack will be delivered into heavily-defended enemy territory, such operations are best left to the Fly Manta's big brother, the Depp Rog.

As a fighter, it isn't quite as maneuverable as the older FF-6 Tin Cod, but its higher attack power make it attractive to Federal fighter aces for fighting mobile suits.