US Navy Receives 1st Orca Unmanned Submarine Manufactured by Boeing

The U.S. Navy recently expanded its fleet after receiving its first giant unmanned submarine made by aerospace and defense giant Boeing. The Navy announced the delivery of the first extra-large unmanned undersea vehicle (XLUUV), also called an Orca, on Dec. 20, saying that the new diesel-electric submarine “marks a significant milestone in advancing the Navy’s undersea capabilities.” “With its long-endurance capability, the Orca XLUUV can operate autonomously for extended periods. This allows for sustained operational presence and increased mission effectiveness in challenging undersea environments,” the Navy said. The Navy’s announcement comes at a time when the United States’ maritime superiority is being challenged by China, which boasts the largest navy in the world with over 370 ships and submarines, according to the Pentagon’s latest report on China’s military. To confront communist regime’s maritime threats, Australia, the UK, and the United States formed a trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS in 2021, to arm Australia with nuclear-power submarines....