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Diver Insertion Vehicles
DSEI 2019: SubSea launches VICTA-class diver delivery unit
Kate Tringham, London - Jane's Navy International
13 September 2019
When fully submerged, VICTA will have a cruising speed of 6 kt, and a sprint speed of 8 kt, with a range of 25 n miles. Source: SubSea
UK-based SubSea Craft unveiled its new VICTA-class diver delivery unit (DDU) at the 2019 Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition (DSEI
2019) in London.
The innovative DDU, which is based around a monohull design constructed of carbon fibre and Diab core, combines the features of a long-range insertion
craft with those of a swimmer delivery vehicle to provide the capability to travel on the surface at high speed before diving to covertly approach a
target.
Speaking to Jane's at DSEI, David Bence, SubSea's chief operating officer, said the DDU is currently at the prototype stage and builds on lessons
learned from an earlier catamaran concept demonstrator developed by the company.
"We started off with a catamaran design and we learned quite a lot from that," he said. "Then 9 to 10 months ago we moved to a new craft - effectively
a monohull - and what we're doing is morphing two capabilities together: a long-range insertion craft and a wet swimmer delivery vehicle, which are
usually separate; the idea being that if you combined two capabilities into a single craft, it gives the user much more freedom of choice in terms of
how they go to effect a maritime mission."
Testing is due to begin in March 2020 at the company's facility in Portland, Dorset, Bence said.
"We'll start with surface testing and then progress straight into subsurface testing, and hopefully by autumn next year we should have some pretty
good results," he said. While the DDU is still at the prototype stage, the design is already at an advanced stage of completion, he added.
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bug2
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SubSea Craft reveal the Victa Class – A revolutionary Diver Delivery Unit at DSEI
By Armada International
SubSea Craft, an advanced maritime technology company, has revealed the full details of its VICTA Class Diver Delivery Unit (DDU) at Defence and
Security Equipment International (DSEI).
This revolutionary craft combines the speed, range and capacity of a Long-Range Insertion Craft (LRIC) with the stealth and versatility of a Swimmer
Delivery Vehicle (SDV).
Specifically designed around the operator, its 30 kt+ speed, 250 nm endurance and 2-minute transition between surface and sub-surface, enables
delivery of 8 operators and their equipment to their objective ‘mission-ready’ before recovering them. Offering leading-edge design and manufacture
and providing truly formidable operational flexibility, VICTA opens up potentially game-changing tactical and strategic choices in maritime, joint and
special operations.
Defence Application
Easily transportable to and within an operational theatre, and inter-operable with the most commonly employed lift assets, VICTA is designed to
operate independently of costly strategic platforms particularly, from surface vessels and ports of opportunity. Its compatibility with a standard ISO
shipping container means it can easily and discreetly be moved to an area of operation whilst, equally, it can be lifted within the cargo bay of
standard air-transports, most typically, the Lockheed C130 Hercules, or underslung from heavy-lift helicopters, typically the Boeing CH-47 Chinook.
Propulsion and Controls
Propulsion is provided by a 725 hp Seatek diesel engine powering Kongsberg Kamewa waterjets. Twin Marine Propulsion 20 kW electric thrusters propel
the craft sub-surface while four vertically-mounted Copenhagen thrusters provide accurate slow-speed depth control.
The craft is fully fly-by-wire and will be ‘flown’ under water, with roll and pitch control through forward and aft hydroplanes while control in both
dimensions is exercised through the same purpose-built steering columns, giving the pilot a common interface for both surfaced and sub-surface
running.
Graham Allen, Chairman, SubSea Craft, says: “VICTA adds a unique new dimension to maritime operations. For the first time, defence and security
organisations can deploy a craft that travels at speed over remarkable distances on the surface, before diving to approach their objective unseen.
VICTA will transform capabilities in high-risk environments.”
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