The U.S. Departement of Defense announced on January 14 that Teledyne Brown Engineering is awarded a $39,211,704 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-6402 to exercise options for the production of Mk11 shallow water combat submersibles (SWCS).
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link
Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS) scale model at Sea Air Space 2017 (Picture source: Navy Recognition)
Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by September 2024. Foreign Military Sales (country name withheld per international agreement) funding in the amount of $39,211,704 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
The Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS) is a manned submersible and a type of swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV). In the U.S. Navy, SWCS, designated as Mark 11 SDV, will replace the current Mark 8 SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV). It is also requested by the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service (SBS), which currently operates 3 SDV’s.
SWCS will be deployable from surface ships, land, and Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) on submarines. The SWCS is 12 inches (30 cm) longer and 6 inches (15 cm) taller than its predecessor, the Mark 8 SDV. This will require modifying the DDS to accommodate it. The U.S. Navy plans to lengthen the DDS by 50 inches (1.3 m) and triple its weight capacity. The SWCS will also be about 4,000 pounds (1.8 t) heavier than its predecessor and will have more advanced computer systems and better navigation, with new systems including an electro-optical periscope, sonar detectors, and automatic docking.
U.S. Navy SEALs prepare to launch a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) mini-submarine (Picture source: U.S. Navy)
Mk11 shallow water combat submersible (Picture source : Twitter account of Navy Lookout)
