U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti toured Boeing’s Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) manufacturing facility on December 6, where she met with Boeing contractors and Sailors assigned to Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Squadron (UUVRON) 3. Adm.
Franchetti emphasized the importance of integrating robotic, multi-mission submersibles into the Navy’s future hybrid fleet.
“Getting Orca into the hands of our warfighters will help us get after my Project 33 targets because she is another player – with some really unique capabilities – on the field in America’s Warfighting Navy,” said Adm. Franchetti. “Orca, and other platforms like her, are an important step forward as we drive towards our future hybrid fleet, which is going to be composed of manned and unmanned platforms. It’s a hybrid fleet that we know we will need to maintain our warfighting advantage.”
The Orca XLUUV is one of several unmanned maritime systems being developed to enhance the Navy’s operational flexibility and reduce risks to personnel. Designed as a multi-mission platform, the Orca offers extended reach and new strategic capabilities for the fleet. These systems are part of a broader effort to modernize naval warfare and adapt to emerging challenges.
Adm. Franchetti outlined the potential impact of the Orca, stating, “I have no doubt that Orca will contribute to our future lethality, to our warfighting effectiveness, and further bolster our ability to deter any potential adversaries. What we learn from this capability will inform the development of future robotic and autonomous systems, ultimately providing agility, flexibility, and new options to our nation’s decision-makers.”
The Orca XLUUV program aligns with the Navy’s Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy, which includes operationalizing robotic and autonomous systems as one of its key objectives. This plan supports readiness goals to address potential threats, particularly in the context of strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China.
Construction of the first vehicle, XLE-1, is complete, and it is currently undergoing contractor pierside and at-sea testing at Marina Shipyard. Delivery to the Navy is expected in early 2025, with developmental and operational testing scheduled through the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. Following this phase, UUVRON 3 will complete crew certification, preparing the Orca for deployment.
The integration of Orca XLUUV and similar platforms represents a transformative shift in naval operations, advancing the Navy’s ability to deter and, if necessary, decisively defeat potential adversaries while reducing risks to personnel and enhancing mission effectiveness.