US Navy orders unmanned submarines from Boeing - video

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a contract to purchase fourExtra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) ‘Orca’. That is, simplifying the matter of giant underwater drones.

Units will be able to undertake a range of highly diverse missions, operating over very long distances. Unmanned vehicles, such as the ‘Orca’, are set to revolutionise war at sea, providing affordable, semi-disposable weapons systems that can fill gaps created on the front line – or simply intervene where it is too dangerous to send ships with crew.

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The contract announced today sees Boeing getting $43m to “build, test and deliver four Orca Very Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) and associated support components”. So as you can easily see, it comes out to just over $10m per boat.

“Orca” measures 15.5 metres long and 2.5 metres wide and weighs 50 tonnes. The vessel develops a speed of 8 knots, has an operational range of 6500 nautical miles and can operate in the field for several months. The maximum operational depth is almost 3500 metres!

The design incorporates an inertial navigation system, depth sensors and GPS navigation, among other features. The Boeing vehicle uses satellite communications to report information and receive new assignments.

Source: popularmechanics.com

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