EMT Barracuda SDV

Flag Flag The FWS-5 Barracuda Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) is built by Emirates Marine Technology (EMT) based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Benefiting from significant financial investment plus technology and expertise sourced in Europe, the FWS family of SDVs has a distinctly French influence. The FWS-5 design received some marketing in the late 2000s but the designs before it, FWS-1 > 4, are virtually unknown. Looked at together they show a clear design progressions.

FWS-1 SDV
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -1
The FWS (retrospectively FWS-1) was a relatively simple wo-man wet-sub modelled loosely on the French Navy's Vostock design ( Cross-Ref, Vostock ). It had a cylindrical hull with a tandem cockpit in the forward half. Relative to the Vostock it had a less streamlined nose and forward hydroplanes mounted in front of the cockpits. The small standard propeller indicates that this was only ever an experimental type, designed to test the water. In that sense it clearly worked as the following designs will show.
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -1

FWS-2 SDV
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -2
The follow-on design was significantly longer with a pointed bow and no forward watershield (which was unnecessary in military applications anyway so most SDVs don't have them). The forward hydroplanes were protected by a frame and the propeller was larger and shrouded.
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -2

FWS-3 & 4 SDV
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -4
Further developments introduced advanced technology batteries carried in bullet-nosed pods recessed into the lower hull. A large storage bay was now provided behind the cockpits.
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -4

FWS-5 Barracuda SDV
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
The final two-man design, the FWS-5 represents the mature produce. It is incredibly long for a two-man craft being the exact same length as the 6-man dry SDV UOES-3 Button 5.60 ( Cross-Ref, UOES-3 Button 5.60 ). The design incorporates a larger mission bay and a telescopic mast behind the second cockpit.
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5


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Specifications
Length: 9.3 meters
Diameter: 1.15 meter
Dry Weight: 3600 Kgs (empty)
Engine: 8 KW electrical 
Batteries: Nickel / Cadmium Battery with two thousand cycles Stored energy, 40 kw/h
Onboard air supply (200 bar): 10 m3 
Equipment: Sonar, Echo Sounder, GPSAutomatic Pilot, Navigation Aid, Joystick, Inertial Navigation System, Video Camera, Doppler Velocity Log
Speed: 5 kts (cruising), 6+ kts (max)
Range: 50nm at cruising speed
Stores: 560 liters payload bay with up to 450 kgs
Crew: 2

Tour
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5

Cockpits
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5

Mission space
The Barracuda is equipped with a large floodable storage cabin behind the second cockpit. This space is large enough for a passenger or several limpet mines including large-size charges. Access is via the top of the craft.
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5 United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5
United Arab Emirates SDV Swimmer Delivery Vehicle FWS -5