US command of special operations forces USSOCOM tested various "invisible boats" for use by reconnaissance and sabotage units and special forces of the US Navy. Although these trials were carefully concealed, over the years several boats were still spotted by onlookers. Recently, USSOCOM began the process of commissioning semi-submersible "invisible boats" of the SEALION family, referring them to the category of heavy combat boat CCH (Combatant Craft Heavy).
Alligator class
The first boat, now known as the Alligator class, was not built until the mid-90s, and its design was later significantly modified. After tests by the American military, the Alligator boat was handed over to the Israeli military.
Displacement: 23.4 tons
Maximum speed: 30 knots (8 underwater)
Length: 19, 81 m
Width: 3.96 m
History
A small company, Oregon Iron Works, designed and built a series of boats for sabotage forces, which are currently used by the Israeli Navy Special Forces and the United States Navy Special Forces. The original patents were issued in 1990 and may well have been influenced by Italian submersibles. Illustrations from the 1993 patent:
Heavy combat boat SEALION (I and II) CCH
The Alligator class was followed by the Sealion class (SEAL Insertion, Observation and Neutralization - the introduction of observation and neutralization, naval special forces), which was designed to transfer and withdraw special forces in a difficult combat situation. It was designed using Oregon Iron Work's proprietary technology in collaboration with the Warships Division of the US Navy's Surface Weapons Development Center.
The SEALION-I was delivered in January 2003 and, along with the improved SEALION-II, underwent extended trials to the Navy Special Forces until 2013. The cost of the program was approximately $ 10 million. In 2013, two buildings were updated and refined to a state of full operational readiness. The Sealion is slightly longer than the Alligator and has a larger aft cabin that can accommodate two RHIB type rigid-hull inflatable boats. After folding the masts in special compartments, jet skis and underwater vehicles for transporting divers can be transported.
Israeli Navy Alligator semi-submersible boat
The new stealth boat was built by Oregon Iron Works in 2013 and later entered service with the Israeli Navy, mainly as a replacement for the original Alligator.
