Teledyne to Provide MK11 SEAL Mini-Subs to U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy has asked Teledyne Brown Engineering to build MK11 shallow water combat submersibles (SWCS) for them.

A contract valued $39.2 million for the same was announced by the U.S. Department of Defense today.

Work is expected to be completed by September 2024.

The SWCS System is a manned combat submersible vehicle specifically designed to insert and extract Special Operations Forces (SOF) in high threat areas. It is a type of swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV). SWCS, designated as Mark 11 SDV, will replace the current Mark 8 SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV).

SWCS will be deployable from surface ships, land, and Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) on submarines. The SWCS is 12 inches (30 cm) longer and 6 inches (15 cm) taller than its predecessor, the Mark 8 SDV. This will require modifying the DDS to accommodate it. The U.S. Navy plans to lengthen the DDS by 1.3 m and triple its weight capacity.

The SWCS will also be about 1.8 tonnes heavier than its predecessor and will have more advanced computer systems and better navigation, with new systems including an electro-optical periscope, sonar detectors, and automatic docking.