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US special forces to trial prototype dry submersibles




By Richard Scott

1/8/2013



US submarine builder General Dynamics Electric Boat has been selected by the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to lead the design and build of a prototype 'dry' submersible for evaluation by the naval special forces community.
The USD44.3 million contract award is intended to provide USSOCOM with one of two User Operational Evaluation System (UOES) craft to support its Dry Combat Submersible Technology Development (DCS TD) programme; Submergence Group had previously been brought under contract in June 2012 for the build of another UOES craft design.
General Dynamics Electric Boat was, alongside Lockheed Martin, Oceaneering International, and L-3 Communications, awarded one of four Dry Combat Submersible-Light (DCS-L) Phase I contracts in April 2012. These initial contracts, concluding in July 2012, funded preliminary concept design activities for a 'dry' swimmer delivery craft.
While details of the DCS-L Broad Agency Announcement have remained restricted, USSOCOM has previously released some outline details of its broad DCS-L requirement. This calls for a free swimming vehicle capable of delivering a sustained top speed of at least 5 kt, a maximum operating depth of at least 200 ft, provision for two pilots, a minimum four SEALs/objective eight SEALs, air transportable in C-17 and C-5 aircraft, surface transportable in a 40 ft ISO container, operable from a submarine with a lengthened and modified dry deck hangar or suitable surface ships, and classed by ABS as a +A1 Submersible.
Although the DCS-L acquisition programme was unfunded in the Pentagon's Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) budget, the build and test of two UOES prototypes is being taken forward as part of the DCS TD programme. This is investigating the applicability of relevant low-cost commercial technologies and techniques for use in a future affordable small lock-in/lock-out submersible.
According to USSOCOM, the Phase II DCS-L research and development contract awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat on 10 December "includes the design, construction, test, and delivery of a complete, commercially classed prototype dry combat submersible system". It added: "The total contract duration is 36 months including options. … development, design, construction, and testing will be performed in the United States and Italy."
IHS Jane's understands that this vehicle is to be designated UOES3. Electric Boat is partnered with GSE Trieste, based in Bergamo, Italy, an established builder of commercial diver lock-out submersibles.
Only limited details have been released of the UOES3 design, which is, according to Electric Boat, derived from an existing Pegaso submersible built by GSE. To be classed by RINA, the craft will have a length of 31 ft, a beam of 6.3 ft, and a displacement of 17.4 tons. Complement is six personnel.
GSE is being subcontracted for most of the engineering and design activity. Electric Boat is taking responsibility for overall programme management, design oversight, and final outfitting. The initial design and build contract will last for 18 months.
Under a separate USD22.7 million contract, awarded by USSOCOM in June 2012, Submergence Group will deliver its prototype S351 commercially classed dry submersible (designated as UOES2). S301, an earlier dry submersible built by Submergence Group, was previously evaluated by USSOCOM as UOES1.
UOES2 and UOES3, and the wider DCL TD effort, are aimed at informing a Dry Combat Submersible-Medium (DCS-M) Milestone B acquisition decision in the FY15 timeframe. DCS-M is characterised as a long-range, dry submersible able to deliver special forces into denied maritime environments.

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