The U.S. Navy Just Bought Four Giant Boeing Robot Submarines

David Axe, National Interest: The U.S. Navy Just Bought Four Giant, Robot Submarines from Boeing

Orca could help to fill a yawning gap in the American submarine fleet. In December 2016, the U.S. Navy announced it needed 66 nuclear-powered attack subs, or SSNs, to meet regional commanders' needs.

The U.S. Navy has ordered from Boeing four huge robotic submarines, potentially signally an effort to deploy a large number of crewless undersea boats alongside traditional, manned submarines.

The Navy's $43-million purchase of four Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles, or XLUUVs, comes as the fleet struggles to build enough new manned submarines to replace older vessels that are decommissioning as their nuclear cores wear out.

"Boeing based its winning Orca XLUUV design on its Echo Voyager unmanned diesel-electric submersible," Ben Werner explained at USNI News.

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WNU Editor: I love the name "Orca" for these subs.

More News On The U.S. Navy Buying Four Giant Boeing Robot Submarines

Navy Awards Boeing $43 Million to Build Four Orca XLUUVs -- USNI News
The Navy Just Ordered the "Orca," an Extra-Large Unmanned Submarine by Boeing -- Popular Mechanics
Boeing Wins Navy Contract for Extra-Large Drone Subs -- Drone Below
Boeing nets $43M to build Navy's Orca extra large unmanned vehicles -- UPI
Boeing Wins $43M Orca Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Modification Contract -- Defense World