U.S. Navy special operators, including Navy SEALs, are upgrading their underwater fleet to address a looming gap in submarine capabilities, according to military officials. They have been using the dry deck shelter with modified Ohio-class submarines for decades, allowing divers to remain dry as they transport to their launch site and later return undetected.
The Dry Deck Shelter Next program, initiated in fiscal 2024, is currently in a research and development phase to optimize operations and reduce crewing requirements. Additionally, advancements in combat diver gear, including individual jet propulsion systems, are enabling SEALs to travel farther underwater.
SOCOM personnel are exploring collaborations with partners like the United Kingdom and Norway to address undersea mobility gaps. The goal is to enhance naval capabilities by optimizing platforms to launch crewed submersibles, large unmanned undersea vehicles, and smaller unmanned underwater and aerial vehicles.
