Boeing has delivered its Orca, an Extra-Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV), to the U.S. Navy after a series of sea trials. Orca is designed for testing and refining concepts for uncrewed submarines and surface vessels. Although the exact specifications are undisclosed, it’s based on Boeing’s Echo Voyager, measuring 51 feet in length and 8.5 feet in width, with payload modules that can extend its length to approximately 85 feet. The Orca XLUUV aims to perform extended-duration missions in challenging maritime environments and contested waters, representing a significant development in the U.S. Navy’s pursuit of large robotic submarines to enhance its capabilities, particularly in the Pacific region.
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