UPDATED. The orange midget sub in Thunderball is actually a real SDV (Swimmer Delivery Vehicle). I recently watched back-to-back Bond classics on a transatlantic flight which reminded me. The horrific jetlag was well worth it. The underwater battle scenes in Thunderball are timeless, and are relevant to SDV history in a couple of ways. Read More >....
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Book Review - Iron Fist from the Sea
South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988.
This review is long overdue. I have read this book cover to cover, and found myself referring to it on multiple occasions since. It is a unique window into the secret history of one of the world’s most elite and accomplished ‘naval’ (they are Army!) Special Forces units. There is no other book to compare as far as 4 Reconnaissance Regiment (4RR) goes. Read More >....
Exclusive - Secret Submarine-Boat revealed
Italy is renowned for sleek and stylish speed boats. And acknowledged as a pioneer and world leader in underwater Special Forces technology. So it should come as no surprise that the elite Special Forces, COMSUBIN, operate some of the most powerful and impressive submersible boats in the world. But it will, because it is also one of the Special Forces community’s best kept secrets. Read More >....
Artwork - USN Special Boat Unit - Seafox
I got carried away with a side profile of the Seafox Special Warfare Craft Light... Read More >....
New Russian naval weapon - Status-6
Russian news sources 'leak' Russian nuclear Torpedo with special purpose submarines details Read More >....
11-11 We will remember them
News - Ortega Mk1 SDV trials
Ortega Submersibles, the Dutch SDV manufacturer, have uploaded a video of the prototype being put through its paces. It's a gorgeous submersible canoe inspired by the WW2 British Sleeping Beauty. Read More >....
Classic Concept - underwater Cadillac
Advanced SDV - JFD SubSEAL
Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) operators are an elite club and only a handful of top-tier Blue Water Navies have this capability. Despite this the popular image of a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV), made popular by the US Navy's SDV Mk.VIII, is a small midget sub which specifically operates from a DDS. Therefore there are relatively few types designed from the outset for be carried into war in a DDS. The SubSEAL produced by Britain's James Fisher Defense (JFD) is one of these SDVs.... Read More >....
Demystified - new low-profile Iranian SDV
Around this time of year it is usual for Iran to reveal a few more of its super weapons. Scared Defense Week occurs in late September and is accompanied by multiple military parades and static displays. Hidden amidst the dazzling array of missiles and UAVs, Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) do not get very much press attention (journalists being widely ignorant of what they even are!???!!!). This year was no different. But on display was a slick 'new' SDV with a low profile hull without any canopy or viewing ports. Here's why it's not actually new, but why it is still interesting.... Read More >....
