Swimmer Delivery Vehicle projects, old and new

[covert_shores]

Exclusive - one of COMSUBIN's secret subs revealed.
http://www.hisutton.com/Exclusive%20-%20Secret%20Submarine-Boat%20revealed.html

Pics

 

[muttbutt]

That's a big boy for a submersible boat.
That cradle on the sub is interesting, it's fairly sizable and robust indicating a larger than I thought SDV. B)

Thanks CS ;D

 

[covert_shores]

Yeah much bigger and more powerful than even the latest of the subskimmer derived types. The North Korean types are similar size but very different beasts. This family has a lot of engineering sophistication and NATO levels of ancillaries. Very impressive. But tailored to specific operational assumptions which may be less applicable in some theaters.

 

[covert_shores]

SubCat SDV - http://www.hisutton.com/SubCat%20Swimmer%20Delivery%20Vehicle.html

 

[covert_shores]

Bonex DPVs http://www.hisutton.com/Bonex%20DPVs%20as%20used%20by%20Kampfschwimmers.html

 

[covert_shores]

Better photos of CE3F (note not CE2F) http://www.hisutton.com/Photos%20of%20elusive%20Korean%20SDV.html

This craft is also possibly known as the X1 SDV

 

[covert_shores]

Sea Chariot and Sea Ranger from Israel http://www.hisutton.com/Sea%20Chariot%20DPV.html

 

[covert_shores]

Finally added an article about the Cos.Mo.S CE2F http://www.hisutton.com/The%20famous%20CosMoS%20CE2F%20chariot.html

Included some info about the Seahorse-I/II and TRAS/TRASS

 

[covert_shores]

Not quite an SDV but close enough, someone has reinvented the surface board. It's self-propelled and can be operated autonomously. Very simple concept, and quite appealing. http://www.hisutton.com/Innovation%20-Unmanned%20Surface%20Board.html

Seems ony a prototype currently, but tested by US forces (exact unit TBC?)

Manufacturer's website; http://usbsweden.com/

 

[covert_shores]

New two-man DPD from Vogo. probably a world exclusive: http://www.hisutton.com/New%20Vogo%20DPD-200%20Diver%20Propulsion%20Device%20revealed.html

 

[covert_shores]

New images of USSOCOM's UOES-3 Dry Combat Submersible : http://www.hisutton.com/USSOCOMs%20new%20Dry%20Combat%20Submersible%20undergoing%20testing.html

 

[muttbutt]

Damn sexy Italian engineering ;D.

 

[covert_shores]

A much rarer find! Unbuilt two-man SDV with a twist. I love the cleverness of this design, this is the type of stuff that draws me to SDVs. So most good ideas it is obvious, but only after someone else points it out. A quick and dirty article. http://www.hisutton.com/Clever%20design-%20CSS-1%20collapsible%20SDV.html

 

[covert_shores]

Two new SDVs revealed....

Patriot 3 Maritime's DAAPV (http://www.hisutton.com/Diver%20Adaptable%20Autonomous%20Propulsion%20Vehicle.html)

Lockheed's Dry Combat Submersible design (http://www.hisutton.com/Lockheed%20Dry%20Combat%20Submersible.html)

 

[covert_shores]

Something very nice be able to post about, the Narwal dry-SDVs used by Germany in Cold War. And I believe the only images of the original Orca concept on the internet;

Full article with tons of photos and cutaway http://www.hisutton.com/Secret%20sub-%20Narwal%20dry%20combat%20submersible.html

 

[covert_shores]

Lockheed's Dry Combat Submersible design (http://www.hisutton.com/Lockheed%20Dry%20Combat%20Submersible.html)

The above Lockheed design is designated S302 and was designed with Submergence Group LLC and presumably MSUBS in UK

 

[covert_shores]

And the unbuilt Vogo ASDV-800 dry combat submersible. http://www.hisutton.com/ASDV-800.html

 

[covert_shores]

SeaShadow DPV designed specifically for US Navy EOD divers. http://www.hisutton.com/SeaShadow%20DPV.html

 

[muttbutt]

@Covert shores, CS just reading your update on the Lockheed dry submersible. You mention the S302 is surface launched, that seems a bit bizarre doesn't it to have a covert craft launched exclusively by a large surface vessel?

 

[covert_shores]

Still trying to figure out how it fits with the DDS requirement and reluctant to ask too many questions. S351 (UOES2) was only surface launched also. DCS are inherently heavy so air deployment by helicopter is challenging (maybe an Osprey or k-max???)
S302 maybe the export spin-off, although that door might close with SOCOM taking Lockheed up.


Will have to PM the juicy stuff.

 

[RAP]

Great stuff Covert. Any ideas if/when your book will be republished? I missed out on the first round and am hoping to get a copy. Thanks.

 

[covert_shores]

Great stuff Covert. Any ideas if/when your book will be republished? I missed out on the first round and am hoping to get a copy. Thanks.

https://amazon.com/dp/1533114870/ B) B) B) B)

 

[RAP]

Ordered, thanks!

 

[fightingirish]

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2016/july/160720-United-States-Special-Operations-Command-to-Use-New-Lockheed-Martin-Undersea-Vehicle-for-Long-Distance-Missions.html

 

[covert_shores]

The image they are using is of the MSUBs/Submergence Group S351 (UOES2) DCS, not the S302. So that more or less confirms that the S302 is te export project(?)

 

[covert_shores]

CE4F revealed

Added info on the Cos.Mo.S CE4F. Only info on the internet as far as I am aware. ;D B) B) B)

http://www.hisutton.com/CosMoS%20CE4F%20SDV.html

 

[covert_shores]

A bit less exotic but surprisingly under documented, and in a state of perpetual development, the SDV Mk.IX

I use 'SDV Mk.9' in the article to make it more accessible to the uninitiated but 'IX' in Roman numerals is the proper way for this boat. Or informally '9-boat' (and SDV Mk.VIII is 8-boat).

http://www.hisutton.com/SDV%20Mk9.html

 

[covert_shores]

another reveal... Wholphin SDV X-2 design from Columbia Group (now part of Huntington Ingralls)

Basically a development of the SDV MkVIII Mod1/2 line, but for export.

http://www.hisutton.com/Wholphin%20X2%20SDV.html

 

[covert_shores]

'Sagittare' Midget sub concept from French firm Comex Industries, 1987. Basic overview http://www.hisutton.com/Comex%20Sagittaire.html

Divers Intervention (DI) version:

Coastal Defense (CD) version:

 

[covert_shores]

One of the most elusive inbuilt SDV projects, the aptly named 'Nessie' Fast SDV: http://www.hisutton.com/Nessie.html

warning for researchers: don't get tripped up in the fictional stories written about this craft, the conceot and design was real. Casting them in fictional stories was just a way around certain sensitivities. In Italian: http://www.altomareblu.com/sommergibile-nessie-fantasia-o-realta/ and http://www.altomareblu.com/progettisti-nautici/franco-harrauer/

 

[gTg]

Hi Covert Shores,

Any follow up article planned about the Russian special purpose sub carriers?
Now that BS-64 Podmoskovye is in operational testing, how does it compare to the Delat III Orenburg and the Yankee Stretch it is supposed to replace?
And what about the Oscar that is in the process of modification to special puposes?

Thanks,
gTg

 

[Brickmuppet]

About that'Oscar'.

http://www.hisutton.com/Spy%20Subs%20-Project%2009852%20Belgorod.html

 

[covert_shores]

Hi

Yes articles on BS-64 as well as older types all planned. And USN boats too. I have such a backlog that it might be some time. USS Parche is probably the next big cutaway. If anyone knows anything about that boat

 

[gTg]

Thanks Brickmuppet for the link. I overlooked that article! :-[

Thanks CS for the feedback, i look forward to these upcoming articles.

 

[covert_shores]

Mignatta - arguably first SDV. I think it's fair to say that almost every SDV can be traced back to this, especially Italian, British and American.
http://www.hisutton.com/Mignatta.html

The target:

 

[covert_shores]

Sad to hear that KR 'Dick' Tuson passed on very recently.

He was in a sense the father of British postwar SDV development, or certainly a central figure. Actually I had the honor of presenting an overview of British SDV history at the Historical Diving Society conference just last week which was largely about his designs. So a small amount of recognition to someone who deserved more.

I've pulled together an overview of his SDV designs, drawing mainly from primary evidence. He never got to publish his memoirs (they were started and were fascinating, but time caught up with that project years ago), so this only scrapes the surface. I included some of his original design sketches and doodles - a real treasure trove.

http://www.hisutton.com/Dick%20Tuson.html

I still plan much more detailed information on some of his projects at some point in the future.

 

[covert_shores]

Added some less well known German experimental types from WDT-71 http://www.hisutton.com/WDT-71%20SDV.html

 

[covert_shores]

Hi Covert Shores,

Any follow up article planned about the Russian special purpose sub carriers?
Now that BS-64 Podmoskovye is in operational testing, how does it compare to the Delat III Orenburg and the Yankee Stretch it is supposed to replace?
And what about the Oscar that is in the process of modification to special puposes?

Thanks,
gTg

This might be what you are after, new article on BS-64 host sub http://www.hisutton.com/BS-64_Podmoskovye.html

 

[gTg]

Yes! Thank you

How many Mother Subs will they operate in the end from Deer Bay?
2: BS-64 + KC-139 or 3: BS-64 + BS-136 + KC-139?

And any idea if there could be a functional difference between BS and KC/KS designated Mother Subs?
Both Deltas are BS and the Yankee and Oscar KC/KS.

 

[covert_shores]

Yes! Thank you

How many Mother Subs will they operate in the end from Deer Bay?
2: BS-64 + KC-139 or 3: BS-64 + BS-136 + KC-139?

2 seems more likely although maybe there will be an overlap between БС-136 and КС-139. Just guessing. It is thought that all can handle most or all of the related midget subs so it's not a case of a dedicated host submarine per midget.

And any idea if there could be a functional difference between BS and KC/KS designated Mother Subs?
Both Deltas are BS and the Yankee and Oscar KC/KS.

I too find the designations confusing. Sadly it hints at a purely bureaucratic reason rather than a clear insight into capabilities.

My *guess* is that KS-xxx numbers are special mission subs in some central inventory, like the 'official' name, while BS-xxx is a 'tactical' number assigned later at unit level. So KS-139 might become BS-139 or some other BS- number when she enters service. But she also has the KANYON nuclear deterrence role so maybe some other designation.

Going back to BS-411 the YANKEE STRETCH she was also known as KS-411 ('С' = 'S' in Cyrillic so might be read as KC-411 - not really sure if KS or KC is more correct, treat as interchangable). According to the very reliable Deepstorm (http://www.deepstorm.ru/DeepStorm.files/45-92/nss/09774/k-411/k-411.htm) she was redesignated BS-411 from KS-411 on 3rd June 1992 after modernization as a special mission host submarine.

Coming up to BS-136, Deepstorm has her designated K-449 before conversion to special missions host sub and designated KS-129 on March 22nd 1996. And she was again redesignated BS-136 in 2000, possibly due to entering service.


Sound right?