New airlock mini-sub for US Navy SEAL 'operations'

**Pete** · 02-13-2010, 06:27

"New airlock mini-sub for US Navy SEAL 'operations'"

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02...lock_seal_sub/

"........However, this week brings an announcement by the US Special Operations Command that they intend next month to lease an S301 submersible from Virginia company Submergence Group, which also offers a two-man research sub. The S301 is to be delivered to the SEAL units at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, formerly the home of the ill-fated ASDS, and will "be used by field units for doctrinal, operational, and organizational purposes" - with "operational" being the most interesting word.........."

Interesting this is from a UK news source. A lot of stuff from the UK is linked here. Maybe all the investigative reporters in the US are trying to find out what Palin has written on her hand?

But, in and of itself, I find the story interesting in that by WW II most military powers had developed small subs with very small crews for hitting harbor targets. I would think a small low profile (no tower) stealth deck diesel/electric boat could be developed without that much money.

**Pete** · 02-13-2010, 06:42

Mini Subs to Moon Landers.

It is interesting to note that in this modern world with all this new stuff around we can't do what we did before.

Take the moon lander. Old, old school but the hardware, softwear and systems worked. Update the lander with new materials, new highspeed computors and better engines. Why start from zero and take 15 years and billions of dollars - unless you plan on retiring in 15 years and want job security.

Have we gone from "getting it done" to "getting a paycheck"?

Seems to be the same with Mini Subs.

**The Reaper** · 02-13-2010, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

I would think a small low profile (no tower) stealth deck diesel/electric boat could be developed without that much money.

You would think that, wouldn't you.

The Advanced SEAL Delivery System was supposed to be an $80 million, 65' mini-sub when the project started.

By the time they pulled the plug in 2006 due to cost, performance, and reliability concerns, the per unit cost was going to be $300 million each, with $460 million already spent on the failed R&D.

Think how useful a mini-sub would be to have in Aghanistan and Iraq with all of the underwater infils we have done so far.

This is how SOCOM spends money on infil platforms. But at the same time, ODAs in combat have less night vision capability than a Ranger squad.

Ignore what they are saying, follow the money.

TR

LarryW · 02-13-2010, 09:08

The picture window is a nice touch...

Attachment 14642

Scimitar · 02-13-2010, 12:01

My understanding is that the main mission focus of the platform is to gain access to China's deep sea comms networks?

Scimitar

**Pete** · 02-25-2010, 05:33

Recreational Subs To The Rescue

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/hts.../20100223.aspx

A little more information on the same story.

longrange1947 · 02-26-2010, 13:49

When the Navy spends gazillions on subs and ships, a few million wasted on a dam sub seldom ACTUALLY used is nothing and is preat PR.

greenberetTFS · 02-26-2010, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

You would think that, wouldn't you.

The Advanced SEAL Delivery System was supposed to be an $80 million, 65' mini-sub when the project started.

By the time they pulled the plug in 2006 due to cost, performance, and reliability concerns, the per unit cost was going to be $300 million each, with $460 million already spent on the failed R&D.

Think how useful a mini-sub would be to have in Aghanistan and Iraq with all of the underwater infils we have done so far.

This is how SOCOM spends money on infil platforms. But at the same time, ODAs in combat have less night vision capability than a Ranger squad.

Ignore what they are saying, follow the money.

TR

Exactly,it's crazy seeing all this money going down the drain...........

Will it ever end?

Big Teddy

Richard · 02-26-2010, 17:02

For anyone who's ever spent time in an SDV - this thing's a limo - and a lemon. DOD needs a 'lemon law' to get our $$ back whenever they sign onto one of these boondoggle programs and they don't work.

The stories I could tell of the R&D and procurement programs and our trying to field-test six MARS inflatable boats built under a non-competetive, minority owned, small business contract by a company who makes kiddie floats for the pool.

And so it goes...

Richard's jaded $.02