New 13+t Variant of S301
Specialist submersibles manufacturer MSubs is displaying a new design in its dry combat submersible range of underwater vehicles at the Indo-Pacific 2022 exhibition in Sydney.
The new S302 Diver Lockout Submersible is a 13.6t variant of its larger S301 30t Dry Combat Submersible (DCS), that has been delivered to US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for trials.
The S302 is 9.5m-long, with a beam of 2m, and can operate with a crew of two, transporting six passengers to depths of 92 metres. It can travel at a speed of 10kt and has a range of 60nm with a life support system that can last for 24 hours +96 hours.
Seating for the six passengers is arranged on one side of the vehicle and it is fitted with two hatches: a swimmer lockout hatch in the forward compartment and an upper hatch in the aft compartment for access alongside a pier or jetty.
Meanwhile, the larger S301 is 12m long with a 2.2m beam and has an operating depth in excess of 36m. It also has a crew of two but can transport eight passenger/divers and has a range of more than 25nm. Powered by batteries, the S301 can be deployed into theatre by large logistics ships that are fitted with large derricks that can hoist 30t, or pulled with a towing rig.
The three S301 DCS were delivered to USSOCOM in partnership with Lockheed Martin from 2015, with the last one being handed over in early 2022. MSubs Submergence Group provides the maintenance and support for the vehicles, and includes SF and specialist US Navy personnel, who also provide crew training. The DCS are based out of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia.
Sean Doggett, Technical Director for local subsidiary MSubs NZ, told MON that the S301 DCS met certain requirements from USSOCOM that needed to transport a SEAL team of eight that can sit facing one another and store equipment for transport in dry conditions. But he added that the new S302 is a next-generation variant that is smaller, more compact for ease of transport and more affordable, so it can be aimed at a wider market as well as offer capability improvements compared to the performance of the DCS. He also said that when the US buys a product that works, other nations follow, particularly when it comes to Special Forces equipment and said there have been enquiries from Australian SF.
MSubs has started building the S302 at its facility in Plymouth, UK and have completed the pressure hull construction.
Doggett explained that SF prefer dry submersibles for transport in covert underwater operations because “they arrive dry at their destination,” compared to wet Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs). Furthermore, operators don’t waste valuable physical energy swimming or use up their oxygen bottles during lengthy transits, resulting in the potential for much longer-range operations.
Tim Fish reporting from Indo-Pacific 2022 for MON
