The Pentagon has signed a contract with Boeing to build four super-large Orca unmanned submarines. 15-meter robotic submarines with a range of 12,000 km will serve in the open sea thanks to autonomous navigation systems and fuel module.

Unmanned submarines have long been used to participate in naval operations. But until now, such submarines were small in size, short range, and a separate carrier ship was needed for their launch and removal.

Large manned submarines have always been used for underwater operations in the open sea. But the new order for autonomous Orca submarines shows that the US Navy is aware of the need to introduce robotic submarines into the fleet.

The Orca submarine was developed on the basis of the Boeing Echo Voyager autonomous submarine. The Orca is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion and has an open modular architecture that will allow to expand its design as needed.

The boat can dive to a maximum depth of 360 m and reach a speed of about 15 km/h. The submarine has a cargo compartment with a length of 10.5 meters and a volume of 57 m³. Launching and raising a submarine does not require a carrier ship.

The autonomous submarine Orca is designed to perform operations:

• trawler mines
• detection of enemy submarines
• submarine defense
• fighting enemy surface ships
• do electronic warfare
• performing strikes and other military duties.

The ship is equipped with autonomous guidance, power distribution and GPS systems. The submarine is also equipped with integrated situational awareness technology to scan and assess the environment.

During operations, the submarine uses mission sensors and satellite communications to communicate with the ground control center. The operation of such a submarine does not require life support systems, and therefore it can be in autonomous navigation for several months.