Surface Craft

Abstract

This project provides for engineering and manufacturing development, and operational systems development of light, medium, and heavy surface combatant craft and selected items of specialized equipment to meet the unique requirements of Special Operations Forces (SOF). This project also provides for pre-acquisition activities (materiel solutions analysis, advanced component development and prototypes) to quickly respond to new requirements for surface craft and equipment. The craft capabilities and unique equipment provide small, highly trained forces the ability to successfully engage the enemy and conduct clandestine operations associated with SOF maritime missions. Sub-projects include: The Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) provides SOF with a versatile, multi-mission surface maritime platform supporting the clandestine tactical movement of four crew and 19 combat equipped SOF in low to medium threat environments. It will incorporate additional performance capabilities above current platform capabilities such as shock mitigation, improved maneuverability and survivability characteristics. The Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH) sub-project represents a family of solutions that will provide engineering support for design and specification of a development combatant craft for movement and maneuver of SOF personnel. Requirements include maneuverability, reduced detectability with enhanced shock mitigation, and human systems integration. The current solution for Combatant Craft Heavy is the Sea, Air, and Land Insertion, Observation and Neutralization (SEALION) that was developed as an advanced technology demonstrator by the United States Navy and has been modified and tested for transition to SOF operations. The CCH will provide medium range insertion capability for SOF personnel in a low to high threat environment. The Next Generation Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared Radar (CCFLIR) Program provides SOF with day/night, high resolution, and additional spectrum imaging capabilities to augment existing optical and radar sensors. Technology insertion is needed to reduce the signature properties of the system and to enhance the detection, recognition, identification, and tracking of small and near surface targets and ships. The Next Generation Surface Systems (NGSRF) sub-project provides a rapid response capability to support SOF Combatant Craft Systems and subsystems. The NGSRF will explore solutions to support emerging requirements in support of SOF missions. It provides technology refresh efforts to correct system deficiencies, improve asset life, and enhance mission capability through the means of feasibility studies, analyses of alternatives, pre-developmental risk reduction, and engineering analyses. Demonstrations and modifications may be made to support emerging capability enhancements such as but not limited to conformal antennas, Identification Friend-or-Foe capabilities, enhanced communications and navigation subsystems, and other minor modifications to craft in support of future missions. Solutions may be Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions, leveraged from other agency solutions, or new solutions.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: S1684_1160483BB_7_0400_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.