Boeing has delivered a large robotic submarine to the US Navy. The ship is undergoing tests that will form the basis of future robotic submarines. The diesel-electric ultra-large unmanned underwater vehicle, called Orca or XLUUV, will be used in tests to help the Navy develop concepts for unmanned submarines and surface ships.

The Navy did not disclose the exact specifications of the submarine, but it is known that it is based on the Boeing Echo Voyager prototype, which is 15.5 meters long and 2.4 meters wide. The unmanned ship can be equipped with payload modules with a length of up to 10.3 meters and its total length can reach approximately 25.9 meters; that’s roughly a quarter the length of the Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarines.

Boeing said in a statement that Orca “can perform long-duration missions to achieve underwater maritime dominance in changing environments and contested waters.” The company positions the robotic submarine as “the world’s most advanced and powerful unmanned underwater combat vehicle.”

Like an unmanned underwater warship, a submarine is designed to carry different payload modules that can be modified for different missions.

“Configured to accommodate a variety of payloads, Orca XLUUV adapts to the changing requirements of naval operations, providing seamless integration of sensors, communications systems and other mission-specific components,” the Navy said in a statement. said. Source