Underwater Systems

SOCOMProcurementPartial Reconciliation2010US

What it is

Underwater Systems — a procurement program run by SOCOM.

What changed

No FY25→26 comparison — trajectory data incomplete for this line.

Who gets it

No award linkage at high confidence.

GAO oversight: DOD — 5 high-risk areas

Budget Figures

FY24 Actuals

$78.4M

FY25 Total

—

FY26 Request

$66.0M

FY25→26 Change

—

Budget Trajectory

FY24: $78.4M
FY26: $66.0M

FY2026 award data is a partial year — USASpending awards are reported on a rolling basis and the fiscal year does not close until September 30. why →

No research dossier for this program — dossiers cover 50 of 326 programs, ranked by FY2026 requested dollars. why →

Budget Line Items(workbook-cited)

Exhibit P-1

Account	Org	Type	Amount
Procurement, Defense-Wide	SOCOM	FY24 Actuals	$78.4M
Procurement, Defense-Wide	SOCOM	FY25 Enacted	$63.9M
Procurement, Defense-Wide	SOCOM	FY26 Reconciliation	$66.0M
Procurement, Defense-Wide	SOCOM	FY26 Total	$66.0M

Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)

Project	All Prior Years	FY24 Actuals	FY25 Total
Program Element	$508.3M	$78.4M	$63.9M

Program Narratives

Description— UNDERWATER SYSTEMS

The Underwater Systems Line Item procures dry and wet combat submersibles, including modifications and field changes to the Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Delivery Vehicle (SDV), Dry Combat Submersible (DCS), various systems and components for SOF Combat Diving, Special Operations peculiar (SO-p) modifications to the service-provided Small Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (SUUV), and Small Unmanned Surface Vehicle (SUSV). Current acquisition procurement programs of record are the DDS, SDV, DCS, SOF Combat Diving, SUUV, and SUSV. The Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) is a certified diving system that attaches to modified Submarines and provides a submarine large ocean interface for insertion of SOF personnel and platforms. The DDS program provides material safety certification, maintenance, modernization (field changes) and minor modifications for the DDS. The SDV MK 11 is a next generation wet combat submersible that reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in November of 2023, and will replace the current MK 8 Mod 1 SDV in FY 2027. SDV's are environmentally exposed systems that transport SOF personnel and their combat equipment in a variety of missions. SOF units require specialized underwater systems that improve their warfighting capability and survivability in harsh operating environments. The DCS program provides for the advanced development, engineering, manufacturing, and testing efforts for a surface launched, dry, diver lock-in/lock-out vessel capable of inserting and extracting SOF and/or payloads into denied areas. 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, and surface host vessel interoperability. SOF Combat Diving supports the unique requirements impacting fully equipped operators while conducting real-world underwater missions. Requirements include underwater navigation equipment, life support systems, communication systems, maritime environmental protection, propulsion systems, and meeting the integration and carry-on requirements with all USSOCOM maritime platforms. The Combat Dive systems provide small, highly trained forces with the ability to successfully engage the enemy and conduct operations associated with SOF maritime missions at significantly longer ranges with less time exposed in the water column. This P-1 Line Item received a Congressional Add in FY 2024 for deep submergence collective propulsion ($7.000 million). The SUUV enables access to contested/denied areas in the maritime domain, provides maritime special reconnaissance capabilities, and reduces risk to personnel and crewed platforms by reducing the number of Sailors required to enter the water column to enable effects. This program procures and integrates SO-p capabilities. The SUSV procures commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) modular systems that house government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) payloads that are divided into two distinct capability categories to address missions lasting a few days (short endurance (SE)) to missions lasting from months to years (long endurance (LE)).

Justification— UNDERWATER SYSTEMS

The FY 2026 request for Underwater Systems includes a $0.000 million in discretionary and $66.025 million of mandatory (reconciliation) funding for a total of $66.025 million. The mandatory funding procures dry and wet submersibles, including modifications and field changes. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20010 (Readiness) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. The following justifications reflect the sum totals of mandatory (reconciliation) and discretionary categories of funding. 1. Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), Program Number 817, is a certified diving system that attaches to modified host submarines and provides a submarine large ocean interface for insertion of SOF personnel and platforms. The United States Special Operations Command has a cost-share Memorandum of Agreement with the Navy to support the modernization of all six DDS units in order to accommodate current and future Naval Special Warfare payloads, as well as large U.S. Navy payloads. DDS enhances 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 on by providing the capability to insert special operations forces and platforms in hard-to-reach areas of the world in a clandestine manner. The DDS is designated a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) ACAT III program. FY 2026 BASE PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION: The FY 2026 request for DDS includes $0.000 million in discretionary and $8.472 million of mandatory (reconciliation) funding for a total of $8.472 million. Continues DDS modernization, sparing and upgrade to support current and future payloads. Procures field changes for product improvements developed to overcome obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources and materiel shortages. These efforts will enable the Navy to purchase materials to support upcoming regular overhauls and Restricted Availabilities (RAVs) to ensure critical material is in a ready for issue status allowing the maintenance availabilities to complete on time. FY 2025 to FY 2026 increase of $0.166 million supports scheduled overhauls with the Navy. 2. SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 11, Program Number 848, is a free-flooding combat submersible mobility platform suitable for transporting and deploying SOF and their payloads for a variety of SOF missions and supports SOF in the strategic competition influence by providing a means for stealthy insertion and extraction, enabling the Navy to project power and conduct operations in littoral and denied areas. The SDV MK 11 is designated an MCA ACAT III program. FY 2026 BASE PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION: The FY 2026 request for SDV includes $0.000 million in discretionary and $10.642 million of mandatory (reconciliation) funding for a total of $10.642 million. Supports the advancement of capability through Engineering Change Proposals (ECP)/ Temporary Design Deviations (TDD), engineering support, and initial spares. FY 2025 to FY 2026 increase of $2.604 million supports MK11 SDV technology enhancements and integrations, design deviations, and engineering change development. 3. Dry Combat Submersible (DCS), Program Number 816, provides SOF with a surface launched, dry, atmosphere controlled, diver lock-in and lock-out capability that transports personnel and their combat equipment into denied areas for a variety of missions. The DCS supports enduring 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 DCS is designated an MCA ACAT III program. FY 2026 BASE PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION: The FY 2026 request for DCS includes $0.000 million in discretionary and $24.273 million of mandatory (reconciliation) funding for a total of $24.373 million. Procures modifications and ECPs to include: Platform Integrated Control System integration, sonar upgrades, anchoring system, Low Probability of Detection interoperability, and submerged tow capabilities, along with spares for each hull. FY 2025 to FY 2026 decrease of $6.494 million is due to completion of modernizations to the DCS which include the extendable mast, improved thrusters and motor controllers, and a comprehensive Technical Data Package. 4. SOF Combat Diving (CBDIV), Program Number 713, 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 procures developed SOF-p family of systems next generation diving equipment to enable the Combat Diver to achieve the last leg of the maritime domain insertion from all USSOCOM platforms to fully engage the enemy. Areas of procurement support SO-peculiar life support systems, marine environmental protection, navigation, propulsion, and communication systems, which provides a fully outfitted Combat Diver. Continued investment in SOF Combat Diving efficient and sustainable capabilities 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. FY 2026 BASE PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION: The FY 2026 request for CBDIV includes $0.000 million in discretionary and $19.373 million of mandatory (reconciliation) funding for a total of $19.373 million. Procures Individual Propulsion systems, Communications systems, and Life Support Systems and planned Maritime Environmental Protection systems to enable continued access to contested/denied areas in the maritime domain. FY 2025 to FY 2026 increase of $6.987 million supports the procurement of electric thermal systems, individual propulsion devices, acoustic and optical communications systems, diver to diver/diver to vehicle communications systems, and underwater breathing apparatuses. 5. Small Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (SUUV), Program Number 799, 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 procures and integrates SO-p modifications to the service provided UUV system. The service provided UUV is now titled SUUV with a material solution transitioning from MK 18 Mod 3 Lionfish. The SUUV program is underfunded for SO-p requirements: SOF CoH, Cyber Security, Hardware, and Software across the Future Years Defense Program for seven systems. SOF SUUV Full Operational Capability (FOC) is 17 systems. The SUUV program supports the efforts of maintaining situational awareness in the maritime domain. Small UUVs play a crucial role in gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data in underwater environments. They can be deployed to collect valuable information on underwater threats, such as mines, submarines, and other potential adversaries. FY 2026 BASE PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION: The FY 2026 request for SUUV includes $0.000 million in discretionary and $1.317 million of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $1.317 million. Funding required for procurement and integration of SO-p payloads for HOSUB operations (cases, cradles, HOSUB battery charger, etc.). FY 2025 to FY 2026 decrease of $0.456 million is due to completion of final procurement actions for Forward-Looking Sonar 9 components. 6. Small Unmanned Surface Vehicle (SUSV) Program Number V36, 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 procures commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) modular systems that house government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) payloads. SUSV fielding is divided into two capability bins to address missions lasting from a few days (short endurance (SE)) to months and years (long endurance (LE)). The SUSV is designated an MTA program which uses a rapid fielding pathway to integrate SOF GOTS payloads into COTS platforms and supports distributed maritime operations, which involve dispersing forces across a wider area to increase resilience and deterrence. Small USVs are well-suited for this concept. By enhancing the Navy's ability to conduct operations in multiple locations simultaneously, SUSVs contribute to the success of distributed maritime operations. FY 2026 BASE PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION: The FY 2026 request for SUSV includes $0.000 million in discretionary and $1.948 million of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $1.948 million. Procures short and long endurance USV platforms in accordance with the Special Operations Rapid Requirement Document (SORRD) to support future vendor down-select decisions for fielding under an MTA. FY 2025 to FY 2026 decrease due to a reduction in the procurement of short endurance USV platforms.

No follow-the-dollar view — this program's awards haven't been crosswalked at high confidence (flows cover 17 of 326 programs). why →

Lobbying Mentions

23 mentions from the Senate LDA disclosure database.

GENERAL DYNAMICSUnderwater2024

House (no bill number) and Senate (no bill number) Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill - issues a