The Navy has awarded Boeing Co. a $43 million contract to build four 51’ unmanned submarines, capable of ocean-crossing autonomous navigation for military missions.
The Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs) will be based on Boeing’s Echo Voyager, an autonomous diesel-electric submarine that has demonstrated a top speed of 9 knots and capability to dive to 11,000’ depth.
The naval version will have a 34’ payload bay with a 2,000 sq. foot volume, and the Navy envisions using it for...