SEAL Delivery Vehicle

SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) is a type of submersible used by the United States Navy's SEAL teams to conduct clandestine missions. The SDV is designed to be launched from a submarine or a surface ship, and can carry a team of SEALs to their mission area while remaining undetected.

History

The development of the SDV began in the 1970s, as a response to the need for a stealthy insertion method for special operations forces. The first operational SDV, the Mark 7, was introduced in the 1980s. Since then, several different models have been used, with the most recent being the Mark 8 Mod 1.

Design and Capabilities

The SDV is a small, battery-powered vehicle that can carry a team of up to six SEALs. It is equipped with sonar and navigation systems, and can operate at depths of up to 200 feet. The vehicle is designed to be as quiet as possible, to avoid detection by enemy sensors.

The SDV can be launched from a submarine's torpedo tubes, or from a surface ship using a specially designed launch and recovery system. Once in the water, the SDV can travel to the mission area, drop off the SEAL team, and then return to the launch platform.

Operational Use

The SDV has been used in a number of high-profile missions, including the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in 2009. It is also used for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, and for the placement of underwater mines.

Future Development

The Navy is currently developing a new generation of SDV, known as the Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS). This vehicle will have improved endurance and payload capacity, and will be able to operate in shallower water than the current SDV.