US Navy’s Newest Special Operations Mini-Submarine Officially Enters Service

The US Navy has unveiled the Dry Combat Submersible (DCS), its latest special operations mini-submarine. This groundbreaking submarine allows occupants to travel submerged without being immersed in freezing water, a capability the Navy has pursued for years.

In May, the DCS reached total operational capacity, with Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, already delivering two DCSs to the Navy and a third under construction. Based on the S351 Nemesis design from the UK, the DCS measures 39 feet long and weighs 30 tons. Its electric propulsion system can dive to depths of approximately 330 feet and travel up to 66 nautical miles at five knots.

The DCS’s standout feature is its self-contained lock-in/lock-out chamber, providing a dry environment for occupants, addressing exposure to cold water, operator fatigue, and health risks associated with previous wet submersibles. Designed primarily for Navy SEALs and special operations forces, the DCS enables clandestine delivery over long distances and supports various underwater missions like sabotage, demolition, and insertion/extraction operations.

The Navy has long sought this capability, with earlier attempts facing cancellations and delays. Still, the DCS offers a more comfortable and efficient means of transporting special operations forces to and from their destinations. Despite its advantages, the DCS has size-related limitations, preventing it from being launched from submerged submarines using Dry Deck Shelters (DDS).

It requires deployment through a surface mothership, such as an amphibious warfare vessel. Nevertheless, the Navy is already planning a follow-on version, DCS Next, with improved capabilities and the potential to be launched from a Virginia-class attack submarine, aiming to expand its versatility.

The introduction of the DCS marks a significant achievement for the US Navy, enhancing its underwater capabilities and providing a state-of-the-art tool for special operations missions.

Reference: The Drive, The Times, Eurasian Times

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Source: Maritime Shipping News