Naval Chief Spotlights Future of Warfare with Orca XL Autonomous Submarine Visit

In a significant move towards advancing naval capabilities, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti recently visited Boeing’s Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) manufacturing facility. On December 6, she engaged with Boeing contractors and Sailors from Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Squadron (UUVRON) 3, underlining the crucial role of robotic multi-mission submersibles in the naval fleet.

The Orca XLUUV is among several cutting-edge unmanned maritime systems the Navy is developing to bolster its hybrid fleet. Adm. Franchetti emphasized its potential, stating, “Orca will empower our warfighters with unique capabilities, propelling us toward our project 33 targets within America’s Warfighting Navy.”

The integration of Orca and similar autonomous systems marks a transformative leap in naval warfare. These systems promise extended operational reach, minimized personnel risks, and heightened strategic capabilities.

Adm. Franchetti expressed confidence in Orca’s future impact, noting, “Orca will enhance our warfighting lethality and deterrence strategies. As we learn from this technology, we can evolve future robotic systems, readying us to decisively face any adversarial threats.”

The Navy’s plan reflects a focus on operationalizing robotic and autonomous systems, aligning with the CNO’s Navigation Plan to maintain readiness for potential conflicts, particularly with the People’s Republic of China by 2027.

The construction of the initial XLE-1 vehicle is complete. Currently undergoing testing at Marina Shipyard. The Navy expects its delivery in early 2025, followed by comprehensive developmental and operational testing. Upon successful completion, UUVRON 3 will finalize crew certification, preparing XLE-1 for active deployment.