Navy Explores Pairing SEAL Delivery Vehicles With Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles

U.S. Navy is exploring how uncrewed underwater vehicles could work with swimmer delivery vehicles carrying special operations forces. Navy Capt. Mike Linn discussed the concept at the SOF Week conference. Linn works in the Naval Special Warfare program office within the Naval Sea Systems Command’s Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants.

He said the goal is to extend the reach of SEAL delivery vehicles and reduce risks to operators.

The Navy’s main swimmer delivery vehicle is the Mk 11 Shallow Water Combat Submersible. 5 feet long, carries a crew of two and up to six passengers, and operates as a wet submersible. The service has also acquired Dry Combat Submersibles with pressurized cabins. These larger craft can operate at greater depths and deliver occupants dry and warm.

The Navy operates multiple torpedo-shaped uncrewed underwater vehicles that are typically launched and recovered from surface vessels or submarines. Recent efforts have focused on launching and recovering these systems from submerged submarines. Linn noted that pairing the systems could allow a delivery vehicle to reach an area and then send an uncrewed platform ahead, such as through a defended harbor entrance.

He compared the concept to unmanned aircraft wingmen.

Linn said both crewed and uncrewed systems are currently limited in their ability to communicate underwater. Through-water data transfer remains difficult, and systems must stay synchronized and survivable. Testing is underway at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division. Linn stated the Navy is still years away from achieving the desired reliability level for operational use.