Autonomous Orca: Navy’s Covert Asset

⊲ TWZ ⊳ The U.S. Navy’s Orca submarine drone, a diesel-electric, 84-foot unmanned vehicle, is an autonomous submarine drone, for covert operations and extended underwater missions. Initially designed for clandestine mine delivery, its modular design enables future payload versatility, from deploying UAVs to logistical missions. Challenges include communication delays and harsh underwater conditions. The Orca marks a shift toward robotic systems in Navy operations, with an estimated 30-day, 6,000NM range and with potential for integrating advanced AI and weaponry.
⊲ Image – US Navy ⊳