Maritime Systems

UCME supports the transition of maritime focused Science and Technology (S&T) efforts and provides a rapid response capability to support SOF underwater craft and diver systems, subsystems, and their emerging requirements. UCME provides technology refresh efforts to correct system deficiencies, improve asset life, and enhance mission capability to leverage and exploit emerging technologies within the maritime SOF undersea capability portfolio. UCME focuses on spearheading specific Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 technology for compatibility, maturity, marinization, and successful transition to the SOF undersea craft programs.

The CCA is a combatant craft for squad-size maritime mobility operations in contested environments. The CCA is NSW’s best craft for Visit, Board, Search, Seizure operations because of open deck space, maneuverability, and interoperability with an Afloat Forward Staging Base. CCA Capabilities: 40 kt speed; 5 crew + 10 pax/5,000 lb payload; and 300 nm range. At 41 feet long, the CCA is air transportable by C-130/C-17/C-5 and can launch/recover by crane, well deck, or shore-based trailer. The CCA program adheres to the objectives of the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance by accelerating its advantageous technology to the operating forces and enhances maritime security through patrols and surveillance missions; its speed and agility combined with mobility enables rapid response and supports distributed Maritime operations.

The MPE is a standoff, loitering, man-in-the-loop weapons systems deployed on combatant craft and capable of targeting individuals, groups, vehicles, high value targets, and small oceangoing craft with low collateral damage. The MPE consists of combatant craft alterations and munition launcher systems. This program integrates kinetic and non-kinetic effects employed by SOF Combatant Craft to enable assured access in contested maritime environments and aligns with the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance supporting strategic competition influence through Integrated Deterrence and building enduring competitive technological advantages for the future Joint Force.

The SOCR is an aluminum-hull mobility platform for use in riverine and littoral areas for short range insertion of SOF in low to medium threat environments and is C-130 transportable. The SOCR adheres to the objectives of the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance by supporting the Regional Presence and Deterrence missions, demonstrating the U.S. military's commitment to allies and partners, deter potential adversaries, and respond rapidly to emerging threats.

Details provided under separate cover.

The SOF SUSV program procures COTS modular systems that house government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) payloads in accordance with Special Operations Rapid Requirements Document (SORRD). The SUSV fielding is divided into two endurance categories to address missions lasting a few days (short endurance (SE)) and missions lasting from months to years (long endurance (LE)). The SE platforms will operate in concert with NSW Group 4 surface mobility assets and address contested logistics, enables access to contested / denied areas in the maritime domain, provides maritime special reconnaissance capabilities and reduces risk to personnel and manned platforms. The LE platforms will provide persistent maritime ISR.

The SOF Combat Diving program enables the delivery of special operations forces to denied or hostile areas and provides direct support the Navy's ability to conduct special operations. SOF Combat Diving rapidly develops prototypes to develop a family of systems of next generation diving equipment. Development areas support SO-peculiar (SO-p) life support systems, marine environmental protection, navigation, propulsion, and communication systems, which provides a fully outfitted Combat Diver. Continued investment in SOF Combat Diving's efficient and sustainable capabilities will allow SOF operators to continue extending their reach into contested/denied areas through propulsion and navigation improvements while increasing bottom time through improved diver climate protection.

MK 18 SUUV enables access to contested/denied areas in the maritime domain, provides maritime special reconnaissance capabilities and reduces risk to personnel and manned platforms. This program develops and integrates SO-p modifications to the Service Common, MFP-2 funded, Mark 18 SUUV.

The DCS provides for the advanced development, engineering, manufacturing, and testing efforts for a surface launched, dry, atmosphere controlled, diver lock-in/lock-out vessel capable of inserting and extracting SOF personnel and their combat equipment into denied areas for a variety of missions. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) tested one submersible prototype to validate test methodologies, commercial classification, and the USSOCOM safety certification processes and will continue to evaluate capability enhancing technologies and reduce risk within the DCS program. This program includes funding for enhanced warfighter capabilities such as Mid-Water Column Lock-In/Lock-Out (LI/LO), de-pressurization pump, and surface host vessel interoperability, all designed to maximize deployment opportunities while improving diver safety by providing more options for LI/LO depths. The DCS supports the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance by maintaining dominance in the undersea domain. The DCS contributes to this objective by providing a means for the Navy to operate in littoral and denied areas, where traditional submarines may face challenges.

The CCL is being designed to be a small combatant craft that supports deployment of six combat equipped SOF operators and their payloads for selected missions in multiple threat environments Based on reliability concerns of previous generation CCL Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) articles and pending requirements update, a new design and prototype effort is required for a next generation-CCL craft. Its compact form factor provides SOF with versatile mission transportability, deployment, and utility capabilities.

Details provided under separate cover.

The CCM is Naval Special Warfare’s (NSW's) craft-of-choice for long-range, high-payload SOF mobility operations in contested environments. The CCM is a semi-enclosed, multi-mission combatant craft for platoon-size maritime operations in maritime contested environments. The CCM supports a variety of missions, to include Maritime Interdiction, Insert/Extract, and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Operations. The CCM capabilities provide: 40 knot (kt) speed; 4 crew + 19 passengers (pax)/10,000-pound (lb) payload; and 600 nautical miles (nm) range. The CCM payload capacity enables inclusion of shock mitigating seats for the piloting team, which is critical for ride quality, operator tactical readiness, and operator health. At 60 feet long, CCM is C-17/C-5 transportable and can launch/recover by well deck of a grey hull or shore-based trailer. The CCM is aligned with the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance imperatives to enhance maritime security through patrols and surveillance missions, and its speed and agility combined with mobility enables rapid response and supports distributed Maritime operations when required. Continued investment in this craft ensures efficient and sustainable capabilities which establish our competitive advantage, enable assured access in contested maritime environments, and posture SOF and the Joint Force to meet challenges of persistent transboundary threats and future operating environments. Additionally, this platform provides access into contested areas to enable effects that may have previously required support from the Submarine Force, ensuring that NSW can continue supporting the joint fires plans even with an asset constrained submarine force.

The CCH provides platoon-size maritime surface mobility. The current CCH is formerly known as the Sea, Air, Land Insertion, Observation and Neutralization (SEALION) craft. The CCH is a fully-enclosed, climate-controlled, semi-submersible craft that operates in contested environments. The CCH is NSW’s most versatile and survivable combatant craft and the craft of-choice for sensitive maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. CCH capabilities: 40 kt speed; 7 crew + 12 pax / 3,300 lb payload; and 400 nm range. The CCH payload capacity enables inclusion of shock mitigating seats for the piloting team, which is critical for ride quality, operator tactical readiness, and operator health. At 77+ feet long, the CCH is C-17/C-5 transportable and can launch/recover by gray hull well deck, shore based mobile travel lift, or crane. The CCH is aligned with the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance imperatives to support SOF in the realm of strategic competition and provide regional presence and deterrence. By deploying these craft, NSW can demonstrate the U.S. military's commitment to allies and partners, deter potential adversaries, and respond rapidly to emerging threats. This aligns with the strategy's emphasis on maintaining a credible deterrent posture and strengthening alliances and partnerships. Continued investment in this craft ensures efficient and sustainable capabilities which establish our competitive advantage, enable assured access in contested maritime environments, and posture SOF and the Joint Force to meet challenges of persistent transboundary threats and future operating environments. Additionally, this platform provides access into contested areas to enable effects that may have previously required support from the Submarine Force, ensuring that NSW can continue supporting the joint fires plans even with an asset constrained submarine force.

CCME supports the transition of Maritime focused Science and Technology (S&T) efforts and provides a rapid response capability to support SOF combatant craft systems, subsystems, and their emerging requirements. CCME also provides technology refresh efforts to correct system deficiencies, improve asset life, and enhance mission capability to leverage and exploit emerging technologies within the maritime SOF surface capability portfolio. CCME focuses on enhancing both existing and future technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 for compatibility, maturity, and design for the marine environment, with the primary objective of successful technology transitions to SOF combatant craft Programs of Record.

The DDS provides for the P3I, testing, and integration of specialized underwater systems to meet the unique requirements of SOF, and compatibility with the submarine fleet. The current DDS is a certified diving system, which attaches to modified host submarines that provides for insertion of SOF forces and platforms. Funding supports product improvements to the current DDS, as well as associated diver equipment for in-service submarine support systems, unmanned underwater vehicles, and follow on development efforts for future SOF payloads. DDS is directly aligned with the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance by enhancing the Department's ability to project power and conduct operations in contested environments and it supports the sustainment of a resilient Joint Force used to deter aggression by providing the capability to insert special operations forces and platforms in hard-to-reach areas of the world in a clandestine manner.

The SDV MK 11 provides for the design, development, and test of one Engineering Development Model (EDM) and ten production units to replace the legacy MK 8 MOD 1 SDV system. The SDV MK 11 is a free-flooding combat submersible mobility platform suitable for transporting and deploying SOF and their payloads for a variety of SOF missions. The SDV MK 11 will be deployable from a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), surface ships, and land. The MK 11 system includes the vehicle and support equipment, comprised of Mission Support Equipment (MSE), Pack-Up Kit to support forward deployed operations, and transportation and handling. It also includes integration efforts with the current DDS and development of product improvements accomplished throughout the lifecycle of the system. The SDV is aligned to the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance by providing a means for stealthy insertion and extraction, enabling the Navy to project power and conduct operations in littoral and denied areas.