Navy starts building new massive, 50-ton undersea attack drone
By Kris Osborn | Warrior Maven
Orca, a 50-ton Extra Large Unmanned Under Sea Vehicle, is part of a Navy plan to integrate large undersea drones into its existing fleet. The massive undersea drone is being developed with multiple layers of autonomous operation in mind, including long-range, undersea torpedo attacks and surveillance.
The Navy is planning to launch a massive, 50-ton undersea drone to expand mission scope, increase attack options, integrate large high-tech sensors, further safeguard manned combat crews and possibly fire torpedoes -- all while waging war under the ocean surface.
The 50-ton Orca, which would not fit in a submarine launch tube, brings an unprecedented sensing, endurance and attack advantage. The Navy has finished its Critical Design Review of the Orca, called an Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle, and begun construction, Capt. Pete Small, Program Manager for Unmanned Systems, Naval Sea Systems Command, said in early May at the Navy League’s Sea Air Space Symposium.
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/navy-starts-building-new-massive-50-ton-undersea-attack-drone
