SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Mk VIII SEAL Insertion Vehicle (1975)
Operation of the SDV requires specialized training by elements of the US Navy SEALs.
As a submersible underwater vehicle, the SDV can carry SEALs and their equipment, increasing mission time while the swimmers personal energy level is maintained for the operation ahead. The SEAL Team pilot, co-pilot and passengers are situated in fully-flooded compartments and use their own individual Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) during the mission. Operational scenarios for these SEALs can include underwater reconnaissance and surveillance, beach and surf observation and combat swimmer attacks.
Any Attack Submarine can be adapted to carry the ubiquitous SDV. The Dry Dock Shelter (DDS) is attached to the deck of the submarine (behind the sail) and is fitted so the submarine's weapon or sensor operations are not limited or affected in any way. The DDS is portable and can be air-lifted to its preset location and installed in 12 hours.
The SDV itself is propelled by an electric propulsion system powered by rechargeable silver-zinc batteries. Trouble with the batteries was experienced on long missions so the battery size was increased to compensate. The round nose shaped SDV maintains buoyancy and pitch attitude by the pilot using ballast and trim controls in the cockpit. For controlling the vertical and horizontal angles of the vehicle, the pilot has a joystick control that operates the forward bow planes and the aft rudder and elevator. The mini instrument panel supports Doppler navigation sonar that indicates speed, heading, depth and distance traveled. The electronic instruments are sealed within watertight compartments and have been designed for easy removal/replacement.
Seal graduates who are assigned to SDV School in Coronado, California, spend some three months in training and, upon completion, are then assigned to SEAL Team One in Hawaii or SEAL Team Two in Little Creek, Virginia. The course concentrates on diving and navigating the MK-VIII SDV in a variety of conditions and scenarios. As operation of this craft can be quite dangerous and technical - with the lives of the crew and SEAL Team at stake - it takes a good amount of time to effectively pilot the SDV to fullest potential. Though many are expelled from the course, heroic reputations can be made if a SEAL SDV trainee can graduate as a skilled pilot. Despite its Cold War legacy, details of the SDV training program itself naturally remain a guarded secret.
Such is the trademark of the US Navy SEALs. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Mk VIII
SEAL Insertion Vehicle
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1975
Operators: United States
Crew: 4
Length: 15.4ft (4.69m)
Beam: 6.2ft (1.89m)
Draught: 0.2ft (0.06m)
Displacement: 0tons
Machinery: 1 x Rechargeable Silver-Zinc Battery-powered Motor; 1 x shaft.
Surface Speed: 18kts (21mph)
Range: 0miles (0km)
Armament:
None.
Ship Class: Midget Submersible
Number-in-Class: 25
Ships-in-Class: Not Applicable.
BY TYPE:
• Age of Sail
• Aircraft Carriers
• Escort Carriers
• Amphibious
• Amphibious Assault
• Battlecruisers
• Battleships
• Cargo Ships
• Corvettes
• Cruisers
• Destroyers
• Destroyer Escorts
• Dreadnoughts
• Pre-Dreadnoughts
• Personal Watercraft
• Frigates
• Helicopter Carriers
• Ironclads
• Mine Warfare
• Patrol Craft
• Special Forces Watercraft
• Special Purpose
• Submarines
• Steam and Sail Warships
• Torpedo Boats
• VIEW ALL
BATTLESHIPS:
• Battleships
• 2nd Class Battleships
• Pocket Battleships
SUBMARINES:
• Diesel-Electric Submarines
• Ballistic Missile Submarines
• Midget Submarines
• Nuclear Attack Submarines
• VIEW ALL
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 2:
• Aircraft Carriers
• Battleships
• British Warships
• Destroyers
• French Warships
• German Warships
• German U-Boat Submarines
• Italian Warships
• Japanese Warships
• American Warships
• Submarines
• WW2 Warships (ALL)
VIETNAM WAR:
• VIEW ALL
MISCELLANEOUS:
• Battle of Trafalgar
• Civil War Ships
• How Submarines Work
• Modern Aircraft Carriers
• Modern Warships
• United States Navy Carriers
• United States Navy Classification
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
