The US Orca Extra Large UUV "XLUUV" Competition - Acoustic Testing

The competition to develop the US Navy’s Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle – XLUUV Orca has at least two initial phases: including the first phase, the design phase. In 2017, Lockheed Martin was awarded $43.2 million and Boeing $42.3 million and delivery of a technical data package.

Lockheed, on October 30, 2017, described the second phase as “a competitive production phase for up to nine vehicles” Lockheed further advised the XLUUV Orca is designed

 “to meet increasing demands for undersea operational awareness and payload delivery [eg. special hydrophones]. Key attributes include extended vehicle range, autonomy, and persistence [endurance]. Orca XLUUV will transit to an area of operation; loiter with the ability to periodically establish communications, deploy payloads, and transit home.”

Likely shape of Boeing entrant. To develop the Echo Voyager (above) or similar Orca XLUUV entrant Boeing is working with Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII]. The Echo Voyager is 51 feet (15.55m) long. Boeing claims a 6,500 nautical mile range (on one fuel module). See SubMatt's 2016 article on the Echo Voyager's many intended capabilities.

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Rumour is Lockheed Martin is developing a greatly enlarged "Marlin" entrant. With no Lockheed "Marlin" XLUUV being made public(?) it could be a secret project or perhaps simply hasn't been developed to a sufficient stage for public viewing (?). There are several old and existing versions of medium sized Marlin UUVs or AUVs. Above is a Marlin Mk3 - perhaps 4.9m long, 1,590kg, range 100+km and 24-60 hours endurance. Far less than the much larger Boeing Echo Voyager.  (Photo and some details here in 2013 and can be found searching AUVAC)
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The Lockheed and Boeing XLUUVs will likely be tested at the US Navy's Lake Pend Oreille Bayview, Idaho, Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD). Testing might be part of the winning selection process. It is highly likely production models would be tested for very quiet, stealthy operation and for the efficiency of the XLUUV's sensors, including its sonars. 

Pete