Swimmer Delivery Vehicle projects, old and new

[gTg]

Thanks CS for your theory on the designations. It sounds plausible to me.

This topic is so fascinating!
They put a lot of effort and resources into their Special Sub/Mother Sub combos, providing them with some unique capabilities.
I'm surprised that no other navy has a similar setup. In comparison, the Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) has a similar function but is just using ROVs.
Isn't it much cheaper and safer to operate with ROV at deep depth? And I imagine deploying a ROV is more discrete than deploying a Mini Sub from the carrier?

 

[covert_shores]

Well there is a lot we will probably never know, but from an analyst perspective there are a few clues.

Firstly, history. The USN were substantially first, and developed two models in parallel, which was partly the result of internal rivalries between Rickhover and everybody else. The first was the NR-1 nuclear powered midget sub. The second was the Halibut-Seawolf-Parche-RB Russell-Jimmy Carter lineage which combined VDS, ROVs and saturation divers. Today the midget sub lineage is gone although it's not a clear case of winners and losers.

Russia meanwhile had been focusing on diving bells (eg Archipelago) deployed from host submarines. These progressed to midget subs (eg X-Ray) and self-supporting midget subs like Uniform.

Meanwhile Russia was behind with ROVs. They had them, but most Russian ROVs are western in origin.

Today Russia has some large ROVs for this type of thing carried on the Yantar but these are massive and require external maintenance. And they still feel the need for manned submersibles on Yantar. So it is fair to suppose that Russian ROVs are still in catch up mode.

They have UUVs (eg Harpsichord AUV) but only got search.


Also, some of the tasks they want to achieve might be too large for ROVs. Like deploying the self contained nuclear plants (eg Shelf).

Sorry this isn't very coherent. Big punch of salt required.

 

[covert_shores]

Btw, cutaway revealing some of Parche's severs likely out next week on Covert Shores

 

[covert_shores]

USS Parche article. Not quite SDVs but somewhat similar in theme. http://www.hisutton.com/USS_Parche.html

 

[covert_shores]

And a few 'new' pics added to the Cos.Mo.S CE2F page. More to come as well.

The first two-man type, the Seahorse-I:

And the last - CE2F X100T:

page http://www.hisutton.com/The%20famous%20CosMoS%20CE2F%20chariot.html

 

[ocay]

A project from ITU, Turkey. In 2012 they had some fund start this SDV Project I am not sure if they ever finished.

 

[covert_shores]

Great, thanks! Clearly a dry combat submersible.

11m and "hydrogen powered" (refers to fuel cell AIP?) I think. Do you know anything more about it?

 

[ocay]

What I know is SDV Project started by a group of ITU PhD students and partially funded by government. Later I heard they completed design and started production with very limited funds. Then the students established a start up company to produce underwater related technologies.


As far as I know the sub is drydock design, capable deliver 8 frogman with 200nm range. The SDV planned to use COTS Li-ion Polymer Batteries not H-FuelCells

 

[ocay]

Another Turkish SDV 2 man "Sualti Intikal Araci" basically means SDV not a generic name, Bodrum based organisation SUTA.

It is probably tested, it is not known if ever Turkish Navy procured.

 

[ocay]

Turkish SAT (Navy Special Operation) has given one of his SDV to Turkish University YTU in order to study future SDV/Mini Sub designs.

Can you ID this vehicle? It could be both foreign made or one of Golcuk Shipyard "black project"...

 

[covert_shores]

Yes I can

Was waiting for this to become public!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[ocay]

COSMOS CE4F?

 

[covert_shores]

Yep. Updated page on it here http://www.hisutton.com/CosMoS%20CE4F%20SDV.html

 

[ocay]

Wow! Thanks.. Very good job

And this is something for your website

http://www.altinelshipyards.com/military_crafts.htm

 

[covert_shores]

Another Turkish SDV 2 man "Sualti Intikal Araci" basically means SDV not a generic name, Bodrum based organisation SUTA.

It is probably tested, it is not known if ever Turkish Navy procured.

hi, a researcher who I don't think is a member here told me that he'd seen this photo here and recognizes it as a French project. No further details but he's someone i turn to for reliable info so I'm sure that there is something in the French connection.

 

[ocay]

Thank you, interesting information. So did it become operational?

And interesting news Turkish STM Company, which design Milgem Class Corvettes, has proposed to Pakistani Navy to develope mini-submarine to replace Cosmos MG110 class.

I will try to find related design in IDEF-2017

 

[ocay]

There is 2 design from DATUM

There is small one, being in construction, is a "test submarine" 9m long and carry 3 person. The bigger one will be operational SDV

 

[covert_shores]

Fantastic, good to see. Looks a lot like the older 2007 design, very similar layout. any links?

 

[covert_shores]

New article on Taiwanese 350 ton midget sub design. http://www.hisutton.com/Taiwanese_midget_sub.html

Note the hollow reinforcing rings welded onto the pressure hull. Probably ballast tanks. GSE influence?

 

[covert_shores]

Another Turkish SDV 2 man "Sualti Intikal Araci" basically means SDV not a generic name, Bodrum based organisation SUTA.

It is probably tested, it is not known if ever Turkish Navy procured.

after some digging and analysis I know think that this design is indeed a distinct Turkish family. Likeness to the 'unknown' French type is coincidental.

 

[covert_shores]

New Chariot Mk.II article including unbuilt versions and experimental versions. http://www.hisutton.com/Chariot_Mk2.html

 

[Jemiba]

Not to highjack your great thread, but on the DSEI 2017 in London, there was a public demonstration
of the SEAL Carrier SDV.

http://www.janes.com/article/74165/dsei-2017-waterborne-demonstration?utm_campaign=CL_Jane%27s%20360-Sept-20-2017_PC5308_e-production_E-3201_KP_0920_0630&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

http://spartanat.com/2017/09/dsei-2017-ueber-und-unter-wasser-mit-dem-seal-carrier-sdv/

(Stills from the first video)

 

[covert_shores]

Updated the Covert Shores article on DRASS to include the DG-85, DG-120 and DG-160 midget subs. http://www.hisutton.com/DRASS.html

 

[Foo Fighter]

Another very well thought out presentation. It is apparent that a lot has gone into not only research but also making it easier to digest the article.

 

[covert_shores]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes sometimes I wonder whether the effort to record this under-reported corner of defense is worth it.

 

[Boxman]

I didn't see a specific topic for these Aerojet mini-subs, so I thought this might be the place to post this film. Moderators, please move to a more appropriate topic, if necessary.

This was posted by Periscope Film on YouTube. The title is, "AEROJET GENERAL MINIATURE SUBMARINE FOR UDTs TESTING AT CATALINA ISLAND 20054." Here is the accompanying caption provided by Periscope Film:

In 1949 the U.S. Navy asked the Aerojet General Corporation to find a way to allow underwater demolition teams to move more quickly. Two Aerojet engineers, Calvin Gongwer and George McRoberts, delivered not only a report but the miniature submarine shown in this historic film. This version appears to be electrically powered and probably not the prototype version, which was actually human powered. Inside the fiberglass hull of that first unit was what Gongwer and McRoberts christened the "Aquaped", a unicycle-like device that a diver could pedal underwater. The submarine was fully maneuverable underwater but did require the use of an Aqualung, and could supposedly move about four times faster than a frogman. The AquaPed was listed in the U.S. Divers catalog for $160 and the human powered submarine $1500 in 1953, with the listing indicating the submarine could move at roughly 5 knots. (Source: August 1953 issue of Life Magazine).

Aerojet's submarine caught the attention of budding director/producer Roger Corman. He obtained the company's enthusiastic permission to use one of the subs in return for on-screen promotion. The result was his first solo production, "Monster From the Ocean Floor" (1954).

It's unclear whether the Aerojet mini-sub or the Aquaped were ever used by the UDTs / SEALs, but SDVs (Seal Delivery Vehicles) were deployed with various units in the 1950s.

YouTube: Periscope Film - "AEROJET GENERAL MINIATURE SUBMARINE FOR UDTs TESTING AT CATALINA ISLAND 20054"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGAryiZpjEQ

 

[covert_shores]

Great video, never seen that before!

A couple of correction/additions to the description:
a) the craft in the film is the Aerojet Mk.III from 1954.
b) despite what it says, the Mk.III was peddle powered
c) yes UDT did use them, but only test and training. But Aerojet were involved in multiple SDV projects up to the Mk.VIII and Mk.IX projects (although the Navy took over development of those c1970)

As far as I can tell Aerojet coined the term "mini-sub" with these. Am meaning to do a full Covert Shores article on Aerojet SDVs. One day.

Attached are some notes from when I was trying to figure out the Aerojet development history. Got a lot of help from retired UDT/SEALs, a RN Clearance Diver and the Canadian Naval Divers association. Wasn't intended for public presentation. Between us this is the closet to reconstructing the family tree as we got (SDV Mk.VIII and Mk.IX not shown)

 

[covert_shores]

Big new article on R3E, including unbuilt types http://www.hisutton.com/Yugo_X-Craft.html

 

[covert_shores]

Iran's e-Ghavasi human torpedo. Interesting design, probably not adopted in service.
http://www.hisutton.com/Iran_Chariot.html

 

[covert_shores]

Vogo submersible boat, SDV-1000W

http://www.hisutton.com/Vogo_SDV-1000W.html

 

[covert_shores]

Italy finally reveals it's SDVs, albeit an export model. http://www.hisutton.com/Deep_Shadow_SDV.html

Photo of model taken by Mariasole BIANCO

 

[covert_shores]

http://www.hisutton.com/Patriot3M.html
The Kraken Sub-surface Multi-mission Vehicle (SMV) can operate in both manned (DPV – Diver Propulsion Vehicle) and unmanned (UUV - Unmanned underwater Vehicle) modes. This allows greater mission flexibility and new mission profiles including rendezvousing with divers for exfiltration or casualty evacuation, cargo ferrying and more reliable offshore dumping after the insertion of a cross-beach Special Forces team.

The vehicle was debuted at SOFIC (Special Operations Forces Industry Conference) in Tampa, FL, in 2018. It has high modularity which enables additional batteries for extended range, higher sustainable speeds and redundancy for safety.

The system utilizing a uniquely modified Shark Marine Navigator System and is controlled via articulating Bow Plane Thrusters and pivoting Rear Thrusters, which provides for both manned and unmanned (autonomous) operation.

 

[fredymac]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sncE99bUqIE

 

[covert_shores]

updated DCS article including various unbuilt designs http://www.hisutton.com/Dry_Combat_Submersible.html

 

[jsport]

SEALs Test New Mini Sub To Stay Dry, Ship To Shore - Breaking Defense

SOCOM's first Dry Combat Submersible is undergoing a year of testing by the Navy to work out new technologies, including a new power source, before moving forward.

breakingdefense.com

 

[shedofdread]

SubSea VICTA

SubSea Craft reveals advanced surface-submersible VICTA - ADS Advance

" SubSea Craft released pictures today of its technically advanced surface-submersible VICTA undergoing construction here in Britain and set to hit the water in 2021. "

"
The craft is made of carbon fibre with a Diab core. A lightweight construction many times stronger than fibreglass, VICTA will be faster and more manoeuvrable than comparable craft.

A sub-marinised SeaTek 725hp diesel engine powers VICTA on the surface through a highly efficient water jet achieving speeds of up to 40 knots over a range of 250nm. Two SubCtech lithium Ion battery packs kick-in upon diving, to provide the power to enable sub-surface operation. Enclosed in fully watertight chambers, the batteries generate sufficient energy to power the submersible for up to four hours - sufficient to cover 25nm with two crew and six operators.

The design features forward and rear hydroplanes - a vital part of the control system in maintaining stability when submerged, along with vertical thrusters enhancing VICTA’s low speed manoeuvrability.

As the build continues over the coming weeks, VICTA’s diesel engine will continue testing at the company’s Trials and Testing facility in Portland before installation in the craft. This precedes integration of its world-leading command & control systems as well as incorporation of the obstacle avoidance sonar that will act as VICTA’s eyes under water. This latter system is capable of building a 3D impression of the sea floor out to 600m and down to 100m, to help guide and navigate the vessel unaided. "

 

[covert_shores]

Swedish/ UAE firm are offering two submersible-boat type SDVs, the Trident Mk.I (catamaran) and Trident Mk.II (monohull). http://www.hisutton.com/UAE-ArmaCraft-Trident-Submarines.html. Similarities to SubSeaCraft DDU and Victa are likely just coincidental.

 

[Moose]

So who gets it onscreen first, 007 or the "Fast" series?

 

[jsport]

New SEAL Dry Combat Submersible Set for Operational Test in Late 2021 - Seapower

New SEAL Dry Combat Submersible Set for Operational Test in Late 2021 Front Page

seapowermagazine.org

 

[johnscura]

Great video, never seen that before!

A couple of correction/additions to the description:
a) the craft in the film is the Aerojet Mk.III from 1954.
b) despite what it says, the Mk.III was peddle powered
c) yes UDT did use them, but only test and training. But Aerojet were involved in multiple SDV projects up to the Mk.VIII and Mk.IX projects (although the Navy took over development of those c1970)

As far as I can tell Aerojet coined the term "mini-sub" with these. Am meaning to do a full Covert Shores article on Aerojet SDVs. One day.

Attached are some notes from when I was trying to figure out the Aerojet development history. Got a lot of help from retired UDT/SEALs, a RN Clearance Diver and the Canadian Naval Divers association. Wasn't intended for public presentation. Between us this is the closet to reconstructing the family tree as we got (SDV Mk.VIII and Mk.IX not shown)

An Aerojet Mark VII mini sub from 1955 was used by Mike Nelson (played by actor Lloyd Bridges) in Sea Hunt season 1 episode 12 to remove a Russian defector off of a ship. This episode can be seen on Youtube.