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Updated. Previous versions 13th August 2016 & 27th July 2018.
Dry Combat Submersible (DCS)
The Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) is a type of SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) which has a dry interior to allow the SEALs to arrive at their target fresher than the usual wet-sub where they have to wear their diving gear at all times. The combat swimmers lock out of the submersible to carry out their mission.
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MSUBS has designed a range of DCS:
● S301 / S301i 8-person all-electric DCS proof-of-concept operated by USSOCOM as UOES1
● S351 Nemisis 10-person all-electric DCS demonstrator operated by USSOCOM as UOES2
● DCS 10-person all-electric DCS production model for USSOCOM
● S361 10-person all-electric DCS export model
● S302 8-person all-electric DCS for export
● S303 compact 8-person all-electric DCS small enough to fit within a dry deck shelter (DDS)
● S401 large 18-person DCS with Fuel cell AIP or diesel-electric options
S351 Nemisis & DCS
In July 2016 USSOCOM announced a $166m multi-year contract for Lockheed Martin to design, build, test and maintain a production model of the DCS. Lockheed are partnered with The Submergence Group LLC and their British design shop/factory MSUBS to deliver a total of three craft, although only the first is currently confirmed.
The USSOCOM requirement was specified as a Surface Launched submersible. The current model is therefore not designed to be carried by a submarine in the way that existing SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) are. This means that the main launch platform is likely to be MV Ocean Trader (ex-Cragside), a Special Warfare Support vessel operated by US Military Sealift Command.
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Starting in 2020, USSOCOM will begin notional studies of Submarine Integration, most likely for the Virginia Class SSN. The target production date of 2026, by which time all three of the original surface-launch-only boats should be in service:
S351 specifications
Length: 12m
Beam: 2.2m
Height: 2.5m
Weight: 26,000 kg
Crew: 2 crew + 8 PAX
Speed: TBC
Range: 120nm @ 5kt
Operating depth: 125m max, 60m operating, 30m for diver lock-out
The S351 is promoted in the United States by Lockheed Martin. It went through extensive trials with USSOCOM under the program designation UOES2 (User Operational Evaluation System). It beat the smaller but similarly impressive Italian designed UOES3 which was designed to fit inside a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) on a submarine, but sacrificed carry capacity. The UOES3 is now on display at the The National Navy SEAL Museum:
S361
An export orientated design very similar to the USSOCOM DCS. MSUBS offers this craft for £25m.
S361 Specifications
Length: 12m
Beam: 2.5m
Height: 3.2m
Weight: 30 tonnes
Depth rating: tbc
Maximum lock-out depth: tbc
Endurance: tbc
Range: tbc
Speed: tbc
S302
This mid-sized variant is intended for export. The S302 is slightly larger than the S301i which allows for a cleaner and more conventional layout with X-form control surfaces and a single propeller at the rear. The main diver lock-out hatch is moved amidships from the unusual the stern placement on S301i, and the battery pods are incorporated into a streamlined hull. It is no longer intended for carriage in a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS).
S302 Specifications
Length: 9.36m (31ft) (vs 7.25m / 24ft fr S301i)
Beam: 2.34m (7.7ft)
Height: 2.34m (7.7ft)
Weight: 14,000 kg (31,000lb) loaded
Depth rating: 100m (328ft)
Maximum lock-out depth: 30m (98ft)
Endurance: 24hrs +
Range: 60nm @ 5kt
Speed: At least 8kt
S303 DDS compatible DCS
The eight-person S303 has improved performance over the S301 while also being small enough to be transportable submersible in submarine dry shelters (including converted vertical launch tubes) or, on the deck of small diesel-electric submarines. It can also be deployed by surface ships with cranes. The S303 is available for approximately £20m.
S303 Specifications
Length: 7m
Beam: 2m
Height: TBC
Weight: 14 tonnes
Depth rating: 300m
Maximum lock-out depth: tbc
Endurance: ~24 hours mission; 96 hours reserve
Range: tbc
Speed: tbc
S401
The largest design in the series, the S401 approaches the size of the ill-fated ASDS (Advanced SEAL Delivery System) which was a precursor to the DCS program. It has the same width and height as the S361 but has an extra seating compartment. It can carry sixteen combat swimmers and has multiple propulsion options from Li-ion all-electric to Fuel cell AIP (Air Independent Power) or Diesel-Electric.
S401 Specifications
Length: 16m
Beam: 2.5m
Height: 3.2m
Weight: 40 tonnes
Depth rating: tbc
Maximum lock-out depth: tbc
Endurance: tbc
Range: tbc
Speed: tbc
S301 / S301i
Originally designed by MSUBs/The Submergence Group, the S301i was on lease to USSOCOM by Lockheed Martin from 2013-15. The S301i started life after the cancellation of the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) as a demonstrator to validate the credibility of a dry combat submersible small enough to fit inside the dry deck shelter (DDS) on a submarine. No actual DDS operations were conducted but the demonstration was considered a success and follow-on UOES-2 ten-man and UOES-3 six-man DCS were ordered.
The S301 was christened 'Marie' by Submergence Group. The conning tower would be removed for DDS operations.
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