By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
In a significant stride towards advancing undersea maritime dominance, Boeing has successfully delivered the first Orca Extra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) to the U.S. Navy. The completion of acceptance testing earlier this month marks a pivotal moment in autonomous submarine technology, introducing a new class of undersea vehicles designed for extended, critical missions in dynamic and contested waters.
The Orca XLUUV, as designated by the Navy, represents the culmination of over a decade of pioneering work by Boeing in developing a long-range, fully autonomous undersea vehicle with substantial payload capacity. Ann Stevens, Vice President of Boeing Maritime and Intelligence Systems, expressed her pride in the Boeing team, stating, “I’ve had the distinct pleasure of witnessing our team bring this first-of-its-kind capability to life, and I’m proud of their innovation, perseverance, and unwavering commitment which has yielded the most advanced and capable UUV in the world.”
The Orca is strategically designed to operate independently of a host vehicle, providing the Navy with an unparalleled capability for long-duration missions in various maritime environments. Its large payload capacity and fully autonomous capabilities make it a game-changing asset for the U.S. Navy in achieving undersea dominance.
Boeing, drawing on more than 50 years of experience in building and operating undersea vehicles, initiated the design and development of the Orca’s predecessor, Echo Voyager, in 2012. Echo Voyager, a proof-of-concept XLUUV, commenced at-sea testing in 2017 and played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the Orca XLUUV competition initiated by the U.S. Navy.
Orca has undergone rigorous testing phases in partnership with the Navy, including comprehensive at-sea maneuvers both above and below the surface to demonstrate its unique capabilities. The vehicle’s successful completion of acceptance testing and subsequent delivery to the Navy underscore Boeing’s commitment to advancing autonomous undersea technology.
With the delivery of the Orca XLUUV, Boeing looks forward to continuing its partnership with the U.S. Navy and further contributing to the fleet’s capabilities. The Orca’s ability to autonomously execute critical missions over extended durations positions it as a transformative asset in the evolving landscape of maritime operations.
The Orca XLUUV’s technological prowess represents a remarkable leap forward in unmanned undersea capabilities, showcasing Boeing’s dedication to innovation and its pivotal role in shaping the future of autonomous undersea vehicles.