The United States will begin testing this summer the first prototype of the autonomous unmanned submarine (ANPA) Orca, developed by Boeing, according to the Command of Naval Systems of the US Navy.
It is planned that during the first running tests, a 26-meter 80-ton unmanned submarine will be tested for mines.
Its modular middle section has a capacity of eight tons, which can be configured to carry different payloads according to the tasks. In particular, the submarine can be involved in the installation of underwater mines, equipped with a sonar with a synthetic aperture for mapping the ocean floor, perform tasks of underwater reconnaissance, electronic warfare and mine trawling.
In addition, it is planned that in the future diesel-electric submarine, capable of speeds up to 15 km per hour under water and operating at a depth of 3.3 thousand meters, will be able to launch cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as hunting underwater enemy boats using onboard torpedo weapons.
Due to the large size of the aircraft, they will leave to perform tasks from naval bases, rather than being transported by submarine.
Back in June 2019, under a contract with Boeing, the Pentagon ordered the creation of five such autonomous unmanned submarines. They are expected to join the US Navy in five years.