Pricey mini-sub passes sea tryout
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
A prototype Navy SEALs mini-submarine passed another development hurdle last week when it was successfully launched and recovered for the first time by the USS Greeneville off Pearl Harbor.
Northrup Grumman
Developer Northrop Grumman said it was "the last significant test" of the Advanced SEAL Delivery System, or ASDS, prior to operational evaluation in mid-2003.
A Navy minisub rides atop the USS Greeneville off Pearl Harbor in this undated Web photo provided by Northrup Grumman. Test runs were conducted last month.
The one-of-a-kind 65-foot submarine, delivered to Pearl Harbor in 2000 for testing, is based with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One at the ASDS facility in Pearl City.
"This was the last major hurdle for this unique warfighting system," said Capt. Joe Fallone, the Naval Sea Systems Command's ASDS program manager. "A lot of hard work went into making this trial a success. We are now one step closer to giving the special operations warfighter a remarkable capability."
The boxy ASDS, which rides piggyback on the submarine Greeneville and is connected by a hatch, is capable of dropping off eight SEALs close to shore, has sophisticated sonar and electro-optical surveillance systems, and means less time spent in cold water in scuba gear.
ASDS is seen as an improvement over SEAL Delivery Vehicles now in use that require commandos to ride in open-water submersibles in scuba gear, launched from "dry deck" shelters fitted to the top of submarines like the former USS Kamehameha.
Only the Greeneville and USS Charlotte are configured to carry the ASDS. Both are Los Angeles-class attack submarines based at Pearl Harbor.
During last week's testing, ASDS Boat 1 successfully completed multiple launch and recoveries from Greeneville over a several-day period, Northrop Grumman said.
The operational evaluation will be conducted using the Charlotte as a host sub. On Aug. 1 and 2, the ASDS dropped off SEALs and their equipment at a pre-determined underwater spot off Hawai'i, and later picked them up.
The Pentagon's 1994 contract called for delivery of the first mini-sub for $78 million, according to Bloomberg News. The cost now for Boat 1 is $292 million, the news service said. Northrop Grumman said subsequent subs will be more cost-effective, and production will be completed on a more timely basis.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
