Advanced Seal Delivery System: Perspectives and Options

摘要

Operational experience in the 1980s led the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to look for a new, covert Navy Sea, Air, Land team (SEAL) insertion vehicle to replace/augment the existing SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV). The SDV is a wet submersible, which means that the embarked members have to endure extended and cramped periods in ocean waters with only a wet or dry suit to protect them. Traveling in extremely cold ocean waters can have detrimental effects on the physical and mental performance of the SEALs. This is what led SOCOM to pursue the concept of a dry (pressurized) hull for the SEALs in the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS). The ASDS also provides improved range, speed, payload, and habitability for the crew and divers over the existing SDV. ASDS is a battery-powered, shock-hardened, stealthy combatant. The Deep Submergence Directorate (PMS 395) of the Naval Sea Systems Command asked RAND to undertake a brief analysis examining the technical, managerial, and cost issues in preparation for follow-on production of the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS). This documented briefing presents the study findings.