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 >....
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The last US Navy diesel subs -Barbel Class
When it was launched the USS Barbel was the most advanced attack submarine in the world in all respects except one; it’s powerplant. By the 1950s submarine design was going through a series of revolutions, undoubtedly led by the US Navy. German WW2 technology had kick started postwar submarine development, but new innovations in hull form and propulsion were led by the US.Read More >....
The famous CosMoS CE2F chariot
For much of the Cold War and beyond, within naval circles, the Cos.Mo.S CE2F was the prototypical two-man ‘chariot’. Based on tactics employed with devastating effect in WW2, it provided a means for a navy to neutralize a much more powerful foe before they’d even left port.Read More >....
Sea Chariot DPV
An interesting new Diver propulsion Device, this time from Israel.Read More >....
MSM-1S lock-out sub joins Technical Naval Museum at La Spezia
The Italian Navy’s MSM-1S / USEL deep sea rescue vehicle (DSRV) has been replaced in service by the SRV-300. The heavily built deep diving submarine has been spared the breaker’s yard and is now on display. As well as being on standby to rescue submarine crews, the craft was employed to investigate wrecks and train divers in lock-out and saturation diving, including the Italian Navy’s COMSUBIN frogmen who dove to 250m for extended periods of time. Read More>....
Special Operations Stealth Semi-Submarines demystified
The recent revealing of the Singaporean Navy's stealth Specialized Marine Craft (SMC) highlights the gradual maturing and adoption of certain US designed semi-submersible and stealth technologies for Special Forces. This article builds on the popular post on the old Covert Shores Blog.Read More >....
Bonex DPVs as used by Kampfschwimmers
Bonex, a German diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) manufacturer, is known to supply several Special Forces units including the German Kampfschwimmers and Turkish SAT. 
Photos of elusive Korean SDV
Fresh photos of a well-kept secret, the South Korean CE3F three-man SDV.Read More>....
Russian Raptor SF assault boats arrive in Black Sea
Only a couple of weeks since the very similar Kalashnikov BK-16 assault Boat was spotted at a Special Forces base in Sevastopol More INFO, the Project 03160 ‘Raptor’ appears to be confirmed as also present.Read More>....
Desperate measures -Russian midget submarine of 1904
During the Siege of Port Arthur by the Imperial Japanese, the Russian defenders sought innovative ways to turn the tables on the enemy. And a hand built submarine seemed like the answer! A strong parallel to the Confederate defenders of Charleston can be made. Submarines, at the time uncertain weapons of war, represented a relatively cheap way to locally produce craft which could take on the enemy blockade. Submarines were however the preserve of creative and often eccentric engineers and although the Russian Navy tolerated the construction of the 25 ton Naletova submarine, they were reluctant to fund it. So it was built as a private enterprise by its designer. Read More >....