Nations in Focus MT 5/2022 · 47 risk, thus empowering the operating navy with some deterrence and sea denial capabilities. In effect, the boat can deploy two heavyweight torpedoes (plus two optionally mounted externally) and/or six mines in two sets of three. In the commando configurations, it can host six divers and six diver gears containers. As a company representative explains, “modern heavyweight torpedoes are more accurate than legacy systems, with a 25-30nm maximum range. One of them is more than sufficient to sink or heavily damage any warship. Having a midget waiting for you along the Marco Giulio Barone is a political-military analyst based in Paris, and a regular contributor to Mönch publications. including 500kg of gear container payload. The DS-8 weights 4t, including 1,000kg of gear container payload. Both SDVs have a 1.6m beam and are 1.7m high. The DS-class can operate on the surface up to Sea State 2 and submerged up to Sea State 3 and can bottom the seabed up to an operating depth of 50m (with 80m as maximum depth). Its batteries allow for a 6.5kt maximum speed underwater, with a 4.5kt cruise speed, and a 3.5kt speed on the surface. Primary sensors include a 360° optronic system (CCTV, day/night optical sight, thermal imaging) and a forward-looking sonar (FLS). The main role of SDVs is infiltrating/exfiltrating commandos to/from enemy territory, but it can be used also for discrete coastal patrolling and intelligence. DG-Class Midgets The DG-Class of diesel-electric midgets is designed for green and brown water operations, including the attack of strategic targets (oil platforms, harbours, etc.), anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, discrete patrol or ISR missions, SDV and inflatable boat deployment, mine deployment, and sabotage missions of underwater cables through ROVs and/or AUVs. The point of reference for the company is the DG-160, a versatile 169t boat conceived as a ‘Swiss knife’ for small and medium sized navies. For major navies, the DG-160 might find a proficient, low-cost asset for training purposes (crews, ASW warships, aircraft). A scaled-down design optimized for special forces deployment, the DG100, is also available. A prototype of the DG-160 is currently being built in Romania, while a testbed is available in Livorno for completing the development of an in-house, dedicated Combat Management System (CMS) and for evaluation and training purposes. The boat’s capabilities are designed around the company’s understanding of modern submarine warfare. The DG-160 is 35m long, with a 4m beam and a 6.5m height and has a crew of nine. Its propulsion is based on one permanent magnet generator (plus one backup generator) and four battery banks, allowing for 10kt maximum submerged speed, 5kt cruise speed, and 8.5kt surface speed. Maximum operational depth is around 100m. The overall autonomy is 2,000nm, with a 160nm range of action on batteries only. In green and brown waters, the DG-160 is a sufficient asset to put the enemy at Mock-up of the DG-550 compact submarine, the larger model in the portfolio. Behind it, an example of the revolutionary D-ONE diving helmet. (All photos Marco Giulio Barone unless otherwise stated) D-ONE diving helmets on the shelves of the Livorno factory, ready for sale. A hyperbaric chamber, a best-selling item, under construction at the DRASS factory in Livorno. The company possesses two factories, one in Italy and one in Romania. Technology demonstrator of hyperbaric chamber, used by the company on exhibitions to showcase its comprehensive capabilities in underwater technology. f
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