During the latter stages of WW2 Japan information on the revolutionary German Type-XXI U-Boat. In Japan the technology was employed on the similarly advanced I-201 class which, as in Germany, were complemented by a smaller submarine with similar technology. This was the Ha-201 ‘Sen-Taka-Sho’ (High Speed Small Submarine). Read More >....
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Jetboots Diver Propulsion System
Special Forces technology is always a hotbed for innovations with new ideas and products cropping up all the time. One disruptive innovation is the Jeboots Diver Propulsion System (DPS) from Patriot 3 Maritime (P3M). Read More >....
World survey of AIP submarines
There are currently over 50 AIP submarines in service around the world, with the number likely to double in the coming decade. The largest single operator is China. Read More >....
Styx riverine Special Forces craft
The Seawolf ERF1 Styx is a small riverine craft especially designed for Special Forces and elite forces in inland waterways. Aimed at the French market, it is particularly suited to the jungle and swamp environments that some units often find themselves in, particularly with the scaling back of operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East. Read More >....
United Nations Security Council report uses Covert Shores pic
It’s not every day that you can provide information to the UN Security Council! More seriously, it validates some of the original analysis posted on this blog. The United Nations Security Council has made public a report by The DPRK Panel of Experts advising on Sanctions in light of North Korean missile and nuclear tests. The Feb 2016 report centers on the May 2015 test launch of the KN-11 (“북극성-1” (Pukgeukseong-1)) ballistic missile and related Sinpo Class ballistic missile submarine (SSB). Page 22 uses an original illustration from this blog to show the submarine. And yes they did ask permission before using it, and of course the answer was an unequivocal yes. Read More >....
Infographic -North Korean MS-29 YONO midget sub
Ever since the loss of a North Korean submarine was reported on USNI News I have been trying to find out which type of submarine it was. I don’t have a definite answer, but the rumors (‘RUMINT’ as someone called it!) all point to an MS-29 YONO Class midget submarine, the same class credited with sinking the ROKN corvette Cheonan on 26 March 2010. Here is my quick infographic comparing the type to other North Korean submarines.
Torpedo SEAL diver propulsion device
Following the latest trend in wet subs ('chariots') the Swedish 'Torpedo SEAL' is designed to fit into a regular 533mm torpedo tube to allow easy deployment from minimally modified submarines. Two Torpedo SEALs can be carried in a single torpedo tube. The type has enjoyed significant early sales and is promoted by British firm James Fisher Defence (JFD) as part of the SEALPod range together with the SEALCarrier submersible RIB and SubSEAL SDV.Read More >....
Book Review -The Modern Russian Navy by Neil Harvey
This book is an up to date continuance of a much missed book format once typified by the Janes’ Warship Recognition Guides and handbooks and as such is an essential guide for any naval enthusiast. The book contains a mind-boggling range of submarine, warship and naval aircraft currently in service or construction for the Russian Navy.
Every major class is represented and almost every minor class too. By default classes get one page each with some spanning multiple sheets. Hull number lists with construction yards and service dates are provided, as are specifications and commentary. Each page has a color photo with a few side profiles and diagrams thrown in also. Highly recommended.
Available on Amazon
Vogo Chariot SDVs
Vogo Engineering's SDV-300 and SDV-340 Swimmer Delivery Vehicles. 
Sad to Report -historic SDV scrapped by museum
One of only four remaining (now three!) wartime Italian Siluro San Bartolomeo (SSB) underwater chariots has been scrapped. From a historical standpoint the type is hugely important in the history of SDVs (Swimmer Delivery Vehicles) on both sides of the Atlantic. For years the craft was on display at the Submarine Forces Library in Groton, CT, USA. I had noticed that it was no longer on display, and have recently learned through a friend that it has in fact been scrapped. Read More >....
