U.S. Special Operations Command will conduct a first-of-its-kind test off Hawaii — the launch and recovery of a new 22-foot SEAL Delivery Vehicle Mark 11 minisub from a Virginia-class submarine for fleet familiarization and two more were undergoing government acceptance. SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 at Pearl Harbor has operated older Mark 8 delivery vehicles that are challenged “with technology obsolescence” and are slated to be replaced one-for-one by the newer, slightly larger and 4,000 pounds-heavier Mark 11s. The submersibles are launched from watertight Dry Deck Shelters that are fitted to and connected with larger host submarines.
The SWCS System is a manned combat submersible vehicle specifically designed to insert and extract Special Operations Forces (SOF) in high threat areas. Under the initial contract with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), TBE successfully designed, manufactured, tested and delivered the initial Engineering Development Model (EDM) SWCS System. Due to the success of the program’s EDM Phase, USSOCOM exercised options for TBE to produce and deliver additional MK11 SWCS Production Systems. Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE) in Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a sole source contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for the follow-on production of MK11 Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS) Systems.
The contract, including all options, is valued at $178 million. Under the new NAVSEA contract, TBE will continue production and delivery of MK11 SWCS Systems, including spare parts production and the provision of engineering and technical support services, through fiscal year 2024, if all options are exercised. Teledyne Brown Engineering is an industry leader in full-spectrum engineering and advanced manufacturing solutions for harsh environments in space, defense, energy, and maritime industries. For over six decades, the company has successfully delivered innovative systems, integration, operations and technology development worldwide.
