Undersea Pioneer

Atul Chandra

The United States (US) Navy is the leader in the development of Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUV) followed only by a handful of other navies, that are significantly invested in this cutting-edge new capability. In December 2023, the US Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command announced that it had recently taken delivery of its first Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) from Boeing. Named Orca, the XLUUV combines several advanced technologies to deliver a significant advance to the US Navy’s undersea capabilities.

Boeing delivered the frst Orca Extra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle to the US Navy in December 2023

Designated by the US Navy as a Test Asset System XLE0, this autonomous undersea vehicle can operate independently of a host vehicle and marks a major revolution in the future of undersea combat. The Orca XLUUV can operate autonomously for extended periods with a long-endurance capability that allows it to remain in an area of interest for sustained durations.

A cutting-edge, autonomous, unmanned diesel-electric submarine with a modular payload section, the Orca XLUUV can execute a variety of missions critical to enhancing the US Navy’s undersea prowess. It can be configured to accommodate various payloads, which can be seamlessly integrated with various sensors, communication systems and other mission-specific components, to meet evolving operational requirements.

The development of advanced revolutionary technologies for warfare requires sustained funding and years of effort before they come to fruition. This is in evidence with the XLUUV programme, which has required nearly a decade’s worth of research, design, manufacturing and testing by the US Navy’s Programme Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) and the Unmanned Maritime Systems Programme Office (PMS 406). The Orca’s manufacturer, Boeing, alone has over 50 years of experience building and operating undersea vehicles.

“This has been a very busy year for the XLUUV team and their hard work is culminating in delivery of the navy’s first-ever unmanned diesel-electric submarine,” said Capt. Scot Searles, programme manager of the Unmanned Maritime Systems (PMS 406) programme office. “We look forward to continued success with our Boeing teammates in fielding this important capability for the warfighter.”

According to the US Navy’s