Navy to receive first full-sized Orca XLUUV this summer as schedule challenges persist

By Nick Wilson / May 8, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The Navy expects to receive its first full-sized version of the "Orca" Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle from Boeing this summer after the company delivered an initial test and training asset in December 2024, the head of the service's unmanned and small combatants program office said this week. The first official vessel, XLE1, is currently being tested by Boeing at the company’s Huntington Beach, CA facility before delivering later this year, Rear Adm. Kevin Smith said Wednesday during the International...

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