Shallow Water Combat Submersible

Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS) is a class of submersibles developed for use by the United States Navy SEALs for insertion and extraction of special operations forces in shallow water areas. The SWCS is designed to replace the aging SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) that has been in service since the 1980s.

Design and Development

The SWCS was developed by Teledyne Brown Engineering, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies, under a contract awarded by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The development of the SWCS was initiated to address the limitations of the SDV, particularly its limited range and payload capacity.

The SWCS is a free-flooding submersible, meaning it is designed to be filled with water during operations to reduce buoyancy. It is equipped with a dry chamber that can accommodate up to six passengers in addition to the two-person crew. The SWCS is powered by a lithium-ion battery and has a maximum speed of 60 nautical miles.

Operational Use

The SWCS is primarily used for covert insertion and extraction of special operations forces in shallow water areas. It can be launched from a variety of platforms, including surface ships, submarines, and aircraft. The SWCS is also capable of conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

See Also

• SEAL Delivery Vehicle
• United States Navy SEALs
• United States Special Operations Command
• Teledyne Technologies