New Airlock Mini-Submarine for US Navy SEALs

The US Navy's sea, air and land (SEAL) teams will receive a new mini submarine to allow dry travel most of the way to an objective, before exiting through an airlock to swim for their final approach.

The new and enlarged pocket submarine will replace the standard wet swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV).

A standard wet-type SDV allows the combat swimmers to ride outside the vehicle in the surrounding water, which causes the soldier lose his strength during hours spent in cold water.

The new mini submarine, complete with a proper pressure hull and an airlock, allows attacking combat swimmers to travel dry by remaining in an inside compartment.

Until now, the Navy SEALs have been using the advanced swimmer delivery system, which, according to the homeland security newswire, was dogged by technical issues and never reached an acceptable standard of performance.