Shallow Water Combat Submersible Explained

The Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS), also known as the Mark 11 SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV Mk 11), is a crewed, wet (free-flooding) submersible that serves as a swimmer delivery vehicle for special-operations missions by United States Navy SEALs. Designed to replace the Mark 8 SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV Mk 8) on a 1-to-1 basis, Teledyne was awarded a contract to deliver 10 units for a cost of $179 million. The first two ships were delivered in 2018, with the last units planned for delivery in 2022.[1] The SWCS will serve alongside the pressurized Dry Combat Submersible (DCS), a midget submarine developed by Lockheed Martin to replace the cancelled Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS).[2]

History

The SWCS program was initiated in 2008, after the cancellation of the ASDS, the anticipated replacement for the SEAL Delivery Vehicle.[3] Teledyne Brown Engineering was awarded the $383 million contract to develop the SWCS in 2011, which provides for the construction of 10 submersibles and one training vessel, the first of which was supposed to enter service in 2018.[4] However, delays and cost overruns began as early as 2015, leading Congress to halve the funds available for the program in the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act.[5], the prototype boat had been built and was undergoing testing, while introduction was pushed back to 2019. By October, two subs had been delivered to the Navy.

In September 2018 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale of 3 SWCSs to the United Kingdom for a total of $90 million.[6]

Design

The SWCS is 12inches longer and 6inches taller than its predecessor, the Mark 8 SDV.[7] The SWCS will have a longer range and higher payload capacity than its predecessor.[8] As such, it will also be about 4000lbs heavier than its predecessor. Its hull is made from aluminum.[9] The SWCS will also have more advanced computer systems and better navigation, with new systems including a "sensor mast" with an electro-optical periscope, wireless and wired communication between crew members, sonar detectors, and sonar-assisted automatic docking. The computer bus and sensor mast are designed as modular systems so that individual sensors or systems can be swapped out as required by an individual mission and upgraded as desired. Like its predecessor, the SWCS will carry six SEALs: a pilot, a co-pilot/navigator, and four passengers. The SWCS can be deployed from surface ships, land, and Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) on submarines,[10] although the third option is preferred for stealth reasons.[11]

Compared to the DCS it will serve alongside, the SWCS will be able to enter areas that the DCS cannot. It will also be deployable from submarines, a capability that the DCS lacked as of 2015.

The SWCS's larger dimensions will require expanding the DDS to accommodate it. The Navy plans to lengthen the DDS by 50inches and triple its weight capacity.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: USSOCOM’s mini-subs progress into the 2020s - Naval News . Ong . Peter . Naval News . 2020-08-12 . 2024-11-03 .
  2. Web site: Navy SEALs' New Mini-Submarine To Be Operational Within Weeks . Trevithick . Joseph . The War Zone . 2023-05-11 . 2024-11-03 .
  3. Department of Defense Authorization for Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010, S. Hrg. 111-100, PT.5 . January 23, 2019 . Olson . Eric . Eric T. Olson . June 18, 2009 . Government Printing Office . Washington, DC . Senate Armed Services Committee, 111th Congress.
  4. News: Teledyne Leads As U.S. Navy Seals Seek Next-Generation Mini-Subs . 20 September 2018 . The Silent Sentinel . Bloomberg Government . September 29, 2011.
  5. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 . 129 STAT. 726 PUBLIC LAW 114–92 . November 25, 2015 . 202 . Section . 774 .
  6. Web site: United Kingdom – SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 11 Shallow Water Combat Submersibles (SWCS). Defense Security Cooperation Agency . 20 September 2018. 24 September 2018.
  7. PEO Portfolio Review . Dollof . Kate . May 2018 . . Special Operations Forces Industry Conference .
  8. News: Tadjdeh . Yasmin . New Maritime Technology for Navy SEALs on the Way . January 15, 2019 . National Defense . June 26, 2018 . en.
  9. News: Burgess . Richard . New Seahorses For The Seals . . October 2018 .
  10. O'Rourke . Ronald . August 1, 2018 . Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress . Congressional Research Service . RS22373 . September 16, 2018 .
  11. Hearing on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 and Oversight of Previously Authorized Programs Before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session . January 23, 2019 . McRaven . William . William McRaven . March 14, 2015 . Government Printing Office . Washington, DC . Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities Hearing on Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the U.S. Special Operations Command and Posture of the U.S. Special Operations Forces.
  12. Maritime . Lehnardt . Keith . May 2018 . . Special Operations Forces Industry Conference .

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