US Navy SEALs are trained for a variety of stealth
missions that require different clandestine insertion methods.
(The SEALs used a specially-outfitted stealth helicopter in
their bin Laden mission, for example.) At sea, the SEALs
have a James Bond-like mini-submarine at their disposal
- the SEAL Delivery Vehicle
(SDV).
SDVs are transported to areas of
operation aboard submarines outfitted with special dry
docks. Upon reaching the objective, the dry dock is
flooded and the SDV is deployed with up to six Navy
SEALs.
The SDVs are propelled by a battery-powered,
all-electrical propulsion sub-system, with an onboard
air source for transiting SEALs. Inside, the quarters
are cramped and the water cold, making long missions physically
and mentally grueling. Once the SDV nears the target
area, the SEALs exit the vehicle and swim the rest of
the way to the target. After completing the mission, the
SEALs return to the SDV for another long ride back to
the submarine mothership. Some
SEALs describe the transits as "temporary hell" but will
readily accept the temporary discomfort for mission
accomplishment!
The US Navy is currently
consolidating SDV headquarters and training to Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii (2013-2014 timeframe). |
