Making predictions is a fool’s business. Naval developments are constantly evolving and one year’s hot topic is the next year’s forgotten fad. Not to mention that naval architects are forever coming up with ingenious and unpredictable ways to achieve the same aim. North Korea’s recent successful submarine launched ballistic missile test and fifth nuclear test raise the question of how they will operationalize their submarine based capability. It is a question which has cropped up in a few places and is very interesting, so like a fool, here is my prediction... Read More >....
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Wholphin X2 SDV
HERE FIRST 
Continuing the prestigious SEAL Delivery Vehicle Mk.VIII Mod 1 lineage, the Wholphin SDV X-2 is the latest Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) from Huntington Ingralls (formerly The Columbia Group)... Read More >....
Bladerunner
Royal Navy tests boat already operated by Iran 
The Royal Navy demonstrated the UK’s Maritime Autonomy Surface Testbed (MAST) unmanned surface vessel (USV) on the River Thames today. The craft utilizes the innovative British Bladerunner hull design from Ice Marine. The Royal Navy is the only operator of the autonomous Bladerunner, but they are not the first to navalize the type. Iran acquired a Bladerunner around 2009 and unveiled a local adaptation in 2010 as the Seraj-1 Class... Read More >....
Armored Stealth Boat
The ultimate smuggling boat is known as the Armored Stealth Boat (ASB). You read that correctly; this may sound too James Bond to be real, but it is... Read More >....
Nahang Class
After years out of sight, Iran’s sole indigenous Nahang (Whale) Class midget sub is confirmed still in service. The 24m (80ft) boat is visible in multiple sequential satellite images from Google Earth from Dec 2015 through to July 2016. Read More >....
Analysis - Sinpo Class Ballistic Missile Sub
17th April 2017
North Korea's Polaris (Gorae / SINPO Class ballistic missile submarine) A lot of things have changed since I first discovered the Gorae Class ballistic missile submarine (aka SINPO Class) in Google Earth imagery in October 2014. At the time, North Korea’s submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) program was only a rumor on the peripherals of the defense analysis community. Armed with these rumors the discovery of the submarine was not entirely a surprise, but it was an undeclared type as far as North Korea was concerned. Its existence had been kept a well-guarded secret. Perhaps under the previous ‘dear leader’ the project would have remained obscure, but in the new mood of bravado the type has been thrust into the limelight by the North Korean regime themselves. Along the way there have been plenty of questions about capabilities and some incredulity among observers. But with the latest August 2016 test launch been deemed successful it is now taken very seriously. As I have done all the long. .. Read More >....
USASOC folding Kayaks
It may come as a surprise that the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) has a requirement for Foldable Kayaks. Pioneered by the British during World War Two and associated with the British way of doing things throughout the Cold War (SBS, SAS), kayaks are rarely at the forefront of Special Forces today. However, in certain missions they remain relevant, and may be the first choice ahead of inflatable boats and RIBs..... Read More >....
SDV Mk9
US Navy SEAL's torpedo armed mini-sub
The SDV Mk.9 is unique among the US Navy SEALs submersibles because it could be armed with two heavyweight torpedoes. The type’s existence is well known within the Special Forces community (and among some observers), but very little specific information has reached the public. Most SEAL related books gloss over the covert world of SDVs. .... Read More >....
Analysis -threat of narco-subs in Middle East
Naval planners are doubtless considering the potential of ‘narco-sub’ technology being used by terrorist organizations in North Africa and the Middle East. The threat of this technology proliferating to terrorist and similar non-governmental forces has been highlighted several times, mainly with reference to smuggling arms and WMDs into mainland US from Central and South America. Narco-subs are already used extensively to smuggle narcotics from Colombia to Mexico on their passage towards US markets but despite the US coast being within range the ‘direct-to-market’ modus operandi has not revealed itself. And the threat of narco-subs being used to smuggle terrorist materials into US is currently unproven.
However, if there is one theater where we should expect to see the proliferation, it is along North Africa’s Mediterranean coast and in the Eastern Mediterranean.... Read More >....
XPOST -nuclear-dimensions-south-china-sea
[XPOST - ForeignBrief.com] To keep pace with the US’ improving anti-submarine capabilities and its ballistic missile defence program, China will seek to better protect its submarines in the South China Sea.
