USSOCOM Maritime Mobility

BY SCOTT R. GOURLEY

2019 marks a continuation of dynamic activities across a range of SOF maritime portfolios as special operations planners work to recapitalize both surface and subsurface elements of the SOF fleet.

Surface Activities

One recent example of these activities could be found in a late- March 2019 Capability Collaboration Event focused on the planned “Mk 2” element of the Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH) fleet. Reflecting a cooperative effort between the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Executive Office (PEO) – Maritime’s Program Manager for Surface Systems and the SOFWERX enterprise, the event explored the possible expansion of the current three-craft CCH fleet.

As “the heavy end” of specialized SOF surface craft, the CCH fleet currently consists of three “Mk 1” platforms produced by Vigor Industrial LLC in Clackamas, Oregon. Also known as SEALION (Sea Air Land Insertion Observation and Neutralization) I, II, and III, they include two 77-foot-long technology demonstrators that transitioned to operational craft in 2012 and 2013 as well as an 81-foot-long craft ordered in 2017 and on track for delivery in the first quarter of FY 20.

While everything seems on track for the fielding of the third Mk 1 craft, on Feb. 20, 2019, USSOCOM released a special notice outlining a planned follow-on Mk 2 platform as “a specialized maritime mobility platform in support of Special Operations Forces (SOF) core tasks primarily involving the insertion and extraction of military personnel along with the launching and recovery of specialized military hardware.”

It added, “The CCH Mk 2 is expected to be a diesel-powered craft capable of open ocean transit and well deck interoperability with the ability to insert and extract SOF forces and host, clandestinely launch, and recover smaller manned and unmanned surface and subsurface systems. For industry partners with existing designs, USSOCOM anticipates modifications will be required to address specialized applications such as survivability; payload launch and recovery; munitions; and command and control, communications, computers, cyberdefense, combat systems, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C6ISR) systems.”

The announcement pointed to a planned Mk 2 craft design with a maximum length of 200 feet and maximum width of 49 feet, identifying command interest in a notional maximum payload volume of 25 feet in length, 5 feet in width, and 5 feet in height, with a “preferred” ability to accommodate “an additional payload (smaller items in aggregate) of similar size and weight as cargo.”

Potential production for the Mk 2 CCH would be in the FY 21 – FY 23 timeframe.

At the same time that fleet planners are looking toward expanding platform size and tactical capabilities of the CCH fleet, other planning elements are also focusing on enhancing the strategic deployability of current and soon-to-be-fielded Mk 1 elements.

Evidence of this approach can be found in a fall 2018 USSOCOM sources sought/request for information (RFI) released on behalf of the Maritime Program Executive Office (PEO-M); Program Manager Surface Systems (PM-SS) calling for market information “in support of preliminary planning for the acquisition of one CCH Transporter, hereafter referred to as Transporter.”

The RFI identified the purpose of the CCH Transporter as “to provide over the road transport, and aircraft loading and unloading for the fleet of three, existing CCH craft.”

The “heavy end” of SOF surface mobility capabilities is hardly unique, with other activities underway across the entire platform weight/capability spectrum.

The Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) Mk 1 is USSOCOM’s multi-role surface combatant craft, with the primary mission of inserting and extracting SOF
in medium-threat environments. The program emerged in 2013, following government testing of competing designs, with the contract awarded to Vigor Industrial.

The 60-foot-long aluminum craft have been credited with possessing “the best iron triangle” by USSOCOM program representatives, who have noted that the platform also provides an opportunity to add several new technologies and resulting capabilities to the fleet.

CCM Mk 1 achieved initial operational capability in FY 15, with full operational capability planned for FY 22. USSOCOM representatives recently indicated that the command has fielded 23 out of 30 planned craft.

The Combatant Craft Assault (CCA) has the primary role of medium-range maritime interdiction operations (MIO) in mediumto-high threat environments. It can also perform insertion/extraction of special operations forces and coastal patrol operations. Manufactured by U.S. Marine, Inc., the carbon-fiber CCA provides expanded range, speed, and payload capacity over existing Naval Special Warfare combatant craft of similar size.

Initial operational capability occurred in FY 15 with full operational capability planned for FY 20.

Significantly, USSOCOM has used CCA to demonstrate successful execution of the first ever Low Velocity Air Delivery System (LVADS) from an AFSOC MC-130J. The ability to airdeliver the platform allows the CCA to satisfy some of the specialized mission sets that were formerly performed by the Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System (MCADS) program, a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) airdrop platform system that was previously used in conjunction with the 11-Meter Naval Special Warfare (NSW) RIB that has been removed from NSW fleet inventories and replaced by CCA.

USSOCOM representatives have recently indicated that the command has fielded 27 of 32 planned CCA platforms to date.

Not currently targeted for replacement or upgrade, the 33-footlong Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R) is currently in sustainment.

Two significant areas of potential surface craft enhancement include the Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared 2 (CCFLIR2) and Maritime Precision Engagement (MPE).

CCFLIR2 replaces the boat-mounted legacy forward looking infrared sensor that has been in service since the early 2000s. Among new technologies being introduced in the new design is high-definition video. USSOCOM received the first four fullrate production assets in December 2018, with combatant craft integration currently underway on a planned total of 58 systems.

In March 2018, USSOCOM also validated its internally developed requirement for MPE, which command representatives describe as “a family of standoff, loitering, man-in-the-loop weapon systems [to be] deployed on combatant craft and capable of targeting individuals, groups, vehicles, high value targets, and small oceangoing craft with low collateral damage.

The program consists of combatant craft alterations, launcher systems, and weapon/munition. Requirements validation led to the initiation of a feasibility study in support of MPE on CCM Mk 1 and CCH Mk 1.

Industry input on the weapon solution was solicited in an October 2018 RFI, producing multiple white paper responses for evaluation. Additionally, USSOCOM maritime representatives are participating in studies with Naval Surface Warfare Centers Dahlgren and Carderock to address related issues, including necessary combatant craft alterations/integration.

Finally, under an umbrella effort designated Combatant Craft Mission Equipment (CCME), USSOCOM has been working with advanced technologies to correct system deficiencies, improve asset life, and augment mission requirements. Designed to provide rapid response solutions to support SOF combatant craft systems, subsystems, and their evolving requirements, CCME modifies existing high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) items for integration onto combatant craft, with recent efforts focused on multispectral beacon and satellite communications (SATCOM) on-the-move solutions.

With some redundancy with work already underway on programs noted above, 2018 saw SOF maritime surface planners point to command interest in a variety of emerging technologies and capabilities, including: SATCOM on the move; wireless intercoms interoperable with National Security Agency (NSA) Type I certified radios, other communications scenarios and systems, improved antenna technology, enhanced radar systems, shock and vibration mitigation (for both crew and equipment), precision-guided munitions, extended range operations, navigation in GPS-denied environments, enhanced lightweight armor, threat awareness/warning, underwater mapping, and vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial systems for launch and recovery on combatant craft.

Many of the identified technologies were highlighted in a June 2018 request for information in support of USSOCOM’s Technical Experimentation 18-4: Special Operations Forces Maritime Surface Systems.

The experimentation, which took place in mid-September at Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story Virginia Beach, Virginia, was designed to “provide an opportunity for technology developers to interact with operational personnel to determine how their technology development efforts and ideas may support or enhance SOF capability needs.”

According to the RFI, the experimentation focus was “to highlight technologies that support SOF surface combatant craft of various sizes up to 80 feet long,” with identified technology areas for exploration including: command, control, communications and computers (C4) and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) systems; innovative propulsion systems to extend the range and performance of combatant craft, including alternative energy systems and diesel-electric systems; flexible, lightweight armor suitable for expeditionary installation and removal from interior combatant craft hull and/or compartments to protect crewman and critical craft systems from small arms fire and larger; medical gear suitable for use in open boats exposed to rain, sea spray, and mechanical shock, including litters, chest seal, hemorrhage control agents, anti- hypothermic systems, and vital sign monitors); signature reduction technologies; unmanned aerial vehicles suitable for launch and recovery on combatant craft up to 80 feet long; unmanned surface vehicles (USV) supporting low probability of intercept and detection, autonomous operation, launch and recovery from combatant craft, and over-the-horizon endurance for a wide variety of unknown missions; weapons; and immersive training, identified as a “360 degree training simulator for Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) to view and operate craft and subsystems including navigation, radar, communications, engineering, weapons, UAS/ISR, and other sensors and capabilities.”

In addition to a broad spectrum of maritime surface capabilities, myriad USSOCOM scenarios call for subsurface/underwater capabilities, with supporting programs ranging from combat diving to submersible craft and their submarine support systems.

SOF combat diving programs, for example, support the individual diver as well as integration into PEO Maritime systems. Planned efforts target equipment such as maritime protection, propulsion, navigation, and communication. In addition to directly supporting combat divers, the programs help to support future undersea mobility development involving wet or dry submersibles. Common themes across programs include reduction in equipment size, focusing on a “system of systems” approach, and the integration of combat diving equipment onto PEO Maritime platforms.

One example of these integration challenges across platforms and applications can be found in the announced 2018 USSOCOM requirement for award for a quantity of the Aqua Lung Combat Swimmer Assault Vest (CSAV). As part of the requirement justification for other than full and open competition on a new assault vest, program planners offered, “The CSAV by Aqua Lung is the only AMU [authorized for military use] commercially available device with an integrated life preserver, buoyancy compensator, and able to meet all operational requirements for DDS [dry deck shelter], Mk 16 and Mk 25 UBA [underwater breathing apparatus] diving operations. The CSAV has been tested in all facets of SDVT-1’s [SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1] mission capabilities and is the sole BC [buoyancy compensator] used in SOD DDS diving operations. There are currently no other Life Preservers that integrated the MOLLE [modular lightweight load-carrying equipment] system that meet the performance and certification requirements established by NEDU [Naval Experimental Diving Unit] as a load carrying system and Life Preserver System for all three of these requirements.”

Along with specialty equipment like CSAV, the USSOCOM combat diving portfolio has recently identified areas of interest to include maritime environmental protection, propulsion systems capable of carrying multiple team members and some equipment, communication to/from divers and support platforms, and modular navigation to include GPS tracking “from the water column.”

Underwater mobility is being enhanced by the Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS), which achieved initial operational capability in FY 18 as a replacement for the current Mk 8 Mod 1 SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV). Like its predecessor, the SWCS is a free-flooding wet combat manned submersible to transport special operations forces (SOF) personnel and equipment in hostile waters for a variety of missions.

In terms of size and weight differences, SWCS is 12 inches longer, 6 inches taller, and 4,000 pounds heavier than the SDV. Enhancements incorporated in the new boat include Intel Core i7 Processors and GB Ethernet backbone, improved software and user interface, higher accuracy navigation, and bow thrusters.

Teledyne Brown Engineering (Huntsville, Alabama) delivered the first two boats in May and June of 2018 and is slated to deliver the third and fourth boats in September 2019. In addition, a contract for a fifth boat was awarded in May 2018.

Introduction of the SWCS is also prompting several “field changes” to the SOF Dry Deck Shelters (DDS).

The DDS is a certified diving system that attaches to modified submarines. The shelter includes a vehicle garage, transfer truck, and hyperbaric chamber. However, SOF program representatives are quick to assert that DDS “is a lot more than just the garage sitting on top of a submarine.” Rather, it is a certified diving system with hyperbaric treatment facilities, airlock capabilities and the ability to carry/index out a variety of payloads, including SDV, SWCS, and potentially others.

The U.S. Navy currently has six DDS, built in the 1980s (the last one in 1991) and, with a goal of maintaining the systems in service until 2050, current program activities address issues associated with modernization, like the Dry Deck Shelter Extension Program; managing the obsolescence; and incorporating other field changes like those prompted by the introduction of SWCS and involving the data connection from the battery management system to the hangar, portable track and cradle, and hangar rearrangement/hydraulics.

Planners emphasize that the Dry Deck Shelter Extension Program, for example, is much more than a 50-inch extension to the DDS, summarizing overall objectives to include increasing the payload volume by 30 percent, increasing the weight capacity by 300 percent, creation of a remote hangar outer door operation from the Virginia-class host submarine, reduction of risk to the host submarine, and reduction of operator fatigue.

The Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) is another subsurface combat swimmer delivery vehicle that introduces a key warfighting capability to keep divers in a warm, dry, one-atmosphere environment to and from their mission destination/location, allowing divers to be fresher and ready to go when they arrive on station. In addition to the dry atmosphere, a key difference in DCS is that the initial versions will launch from surface ships and not interoperate with submarines in their current form.

The contract was awarded in 2016 to Lockheed Martin with teammates/major subcontractors Submergence Group, LLC and MSubs Ltd. The initial boat was anticipated to be delivered for government acceptance during early 2019, at which time it will enter developmental and operational testing.

Initial operational capability is anticipated with delivery of the first boat to the user community during the first quarter of FY 20, with full operational capability of three DCS delivered to users, now projected for the second quarter of FY 22.

Significantly, program planners have also highlighted the availability of “small amounts” of research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) funding beginning in FY 20 to start looking at possible capabilities, technologies, and materiel solutions that will be needed to develop the follow-on version of DCS, which will be interoperable with submarines.

They note that the period between now and then will feature market research requests for information to set the stage for that RDT&E effort. Longer range plans reflect the follow-on program efforts shifting to technology development from approximately third quarter FY 21 through the end of FY 22; engineering and manufacturing development from FY 23, and a possible production start in FY 26.

In the meantime, other broad program efforts include enhancements to the “first generation” DCS designs. An example of these emerged during February 2019, when Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, on behalf of USSOCOM’s Program Management Office contracted to “modernize the DCS acoustic navigation system” through the introduction of the Pioneer Doppler Velocity Log that will be part of the Integrated Bridge System.

The examples cited here provide just a glimpse of the tempo and scope of efforts taking place or planned across the SOF maritime arena, with many of these efforts likely to see closer examination in the pages of Special Operations Outlook over the coming years.