Diesel Submarine Support to SOF
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Authors
Ferrer, Geraldo
Veronneau, Simon
Subjects
U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF)
clandestine operations
diesel-electric submarines
air-independent propulsion (AIP)
Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)
Sea, Air and Land Forces (SEAL)
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS)
Saab-Kochums
clandestine operations
diesel-electric submarines
air-independent propulsion (AIP)
Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC)
Sea, Air and Land Forces (SEAL)
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS)
Saab-Kochums
Advisors
Date of Issue
2021-04-02
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Covertly inserting special forces for clandestine operations is an essential capability for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Naval Special Warfare (NSW) currently has the Mk-8 Mod-1 Sea, Air and Land Forces (SEAL) Delivery Vehicle (SDV) and the Mk-11 SDV for these insertions. These are wet combat submersibles with limited depth and duration, which exposes their occupants to the sea elements. They also require a large host submarine to launch, with a dry deck shelter installed. The Navy fulfills this mission currently by using existing nuclear submarine, which are always tasked with a broad spectrum of essential missions. NSW is in the process of acquiring the Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) Block I, a surface-launched submersible platform with program costs projected around $350M. NSW is also interested in developing DCS Block II with much greater projected program costs. The logistics burden associated with combat submersibles is substantial since they are not meant to operate of long periods of time independently. The US Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines are the envy of many nations. While our submarine force is technologically advanced, it is also very expensive to maintain. Given the current budgetary constraints it is unlikely that the nuclear submarine fleet can be augmented to fulfill USSOCOM needs, and the diesel-powered subs could have a role in an important niche at a low cost. The limited availability of submarines to support Special Operations Force (SOF), the potential to save limited federal funds, and to improve capabilities through quiet, shallow-water nimble submarines, motivate this review of potential diesel-electric submarine contribution to undersea clandestine insertion. A few allied nations operate modern diesel-electric submarines enhanced with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technologies. AIP diesel-electric submarine cost less to acquire and operate, and they can add an important capability while bolstering total undersea asset availability. They are typically less expensive and quieter than nuclear submarines, but with shorter endurance; in turn, allied fleets are good benchmarks to estimate the capabilities of modern non-nuclear submarines. In assessing the potential application of AIP technologies in support of SOF operations, we participated in the 2019 undersea warfare conference, interviewed USW subject matter experts, reviewed intelligence data on foreign made submarines, interviewed AIP submarine manufacturers in Germany and Sweden, and reviewed archival data and previous studies. While the preponderance of this study was classified, this Executive Summary provides an overview of our study. Stakeholders in the Special Forces community should consider reading the classified report available in the Defense Technical Information Center archives.
Type
Report
Description
NPS NRP Executive Summary
Series/Report No
Department
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM)
Funding
This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrp
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.