The US Navy’s Orca eXtra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) has completed its first 48-hour endurance run.
According to Ocra’s manufacturer, Boeing, the vessel operated fully autonomously subsea, surfacing multiple times to recharge its battery.
This mission showcased the advanced capabilities of our XLUUV, such as its ability to deploy to remote locations.
Ocra XLUUV
The XLUUV, or Orca, is an autonomous submarine designed by Boeing for the US Navy.
This first-of-type extreme endurance autonomous platform delivers unprecedented capacity, mission flexibility, and reliability.
This game-changing combination expands strategic and tactical options for previously unattainable missions, re-examining the approach to undersea and seabed warfare.
The Ocra XLUUV is the largest UUV. Its energy capacity enables a 6,500 nautical mile range, enabling months-long missions with limited human intervention.
The vehicle can open ocean transit, bottom following, and long-duration moored operations on the seabed. Smaller UUVs need to have this endurance and range capacity.
This transformative vehicle is versatile and designed with an unprecedented modular payload volume, enabling a near-limitless spectrum of payloads and missions.
The payload bay is designed for maximum flexibility and provides structure, electrical, and data interfaces to host various payloads.
Volume and energy capacity are important differentiators for the XLUUV and, most importantly, for the range of missions that it can complete.
Smaller UUVs can only partially deliver the same payload and are more limited in endurance and range.
Autonomous submarine
The XLUUV’s advanced autonomy allows it to operate effectively in clear, congested waters without physical human contact.
Its range covers 6,500 nautical miles, allowing the vehicle to perform long endurance operations. The XLUUV is launched and recovered on the pier side and does not require a support vessel for operation.
The Ocra is 51 feet long, approximately 8.5 feet across, and has a 34-foot payload section.
The 34-foot payload section can accommodate up to 8 tons of capacity (dry weight), which is the equivalent of 9 medium-size UUVs (21″ diameter) or 48 small-diameter UUVs (12 3/4″ diameter). The XLUUV can be operated with or without the payload section.
The XLUUV’s navigation system features a proven Kalman-filtered Inertial Navigation Unit supported by Doppler Velocity Logs and depth sensors, which offer superior directional accuracy.
Powered by a hybrid combination of battery technology and marine diesel generators, XLUUV is truly a game-changing platform. It is capable of performing as a multi-mission system and playing a pivotal role in future force structure.
The vessel is propelled using a hybrid diesel-electric system, which enables it to remain submerged for extended periods (likely months).
It can also run silently while submerged. The craft’s lithium-ion batteries enable the craft to travel at around 3 knots (5.6 kph) while submerged.
Due to its size, exactly how the Navy would deploy such a large drone is still being determined, but potential options include using large surface ships and piers. However, the Navy’s existing Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESBs) could be a good fit.
Orca’s deployment allows the Navy to operate silently over long periods across extensive regions, making it a valuable resource in various contexts.
It can target adversary shipyards and ports, as well as high-risk operations like laying mines in narrower waterways such as rivers.
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