GA delivers first batteries for new US Special Ops dry combat submersible (DCS)

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has delivered the first battery shipset for the US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) new dry combat submersible (DCS).

The long endurance delivery vehicle capable of transporting personnel in a dry environment will use Lithium-ion Fault Tolerant (LiFT) batteries for propulsion and internal support systems.

GA-EMS was awarded the battery delivery contract by Lockheed Martin who is in charge of building, integrating, testing and delivering up to three submersibles to USSOCOM in cooperation with Submergence Group, LLC.

“We have made significant investment in developing the LiFT battery concept and have successfully demonstrated the reliability and resiliency of the LiFT battery system in realistic undersea conditions as well as in extreme testing environments,” stated Rolf Ziesing, vice president of Programs at GA-EMS. “We are proud to be supporting this program and are excited to deliver the first battery system for DCS.”

Lockheed Martin received a $166 million from USSOCOM in July 2016 to build as many as three DCS vehicles over a curse of five years.

According to the company, the new vehicles have longer endurance and operate at greater depths than swimmer delivery vehicles (SDV) in use. The vehicles will weigh more than 30 tons, be launched from surface ships, and be able to travel long distances underwater.

Currently, personnel transiting underwater use the SDV to reach their final destination – the personnel are in dive gear and exposed to the undersea environment. DCS allows the personnel to get closer to their destination before they enter the water.