SubSea Craft reveals the VICTA Class – a revolutionary Diver Delivery Unit

SubSea Craft has revealed the full details of its VICTA Class Diver Delivery Unit (DDU) at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI). 

This revolutionary craft combines the speed, range and capacity of a Long-Range Insertion Craft (LRIC) with the stealth and versatility of a Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV).

Specifically designed around the operator, its 30 knott+ speed, 250 nm endurance and 2-minute transition between surface and sub-surface, enables delivery of 8 operators and their equipment to their objective, ‘mission-ready’ before recovering them.  Offering leading-edge design and manufacture and providing truly formidable operational flexibility, VICTA opens up potentially game-changing tactical and strategic choices in maritime, joint and special operations.

Defence Application

Easily transportable to and within an operational theatre, and inter-operable with the most commonly employed lift assets, VICTA is designed to operate independently of costly strategic platforms, particularly from surface vessels and ports of opportunity. Its compatibility with a standard ISO shipping container means it can easily and discreetly be moved to an area of operation, whilst equally, it can be lifted within the cargo bay of standard air-transports, most typically, the Lockheed C130 Hercules, or underslung from heavy-lift helicopters, typically the Boeing CH-47 Chinook.

Propulsion and Controls

Propulsion is provided by a 725 hp Seatek diesel engine, powering Kongsberg Kamewa waterjets. Twin Marine Propulsion 20 kW electric thrusters propel the craft sub-surface while four vertically-mounted Copenhagen thrusters provide accurate slow-speed depth control.  

The craft is fully fly-by-wire and will be ‘flown’ under water, with roll and pitch control through forward and aft hydroplanes while control in both dimensions is exercised through the same purpose-built steering columns, giving the pilot a common interface for both surfaced and sub-surface running.

Graham Allen, Chairman of SubSea Craft, says: “VICTA adds a unique new dimension to maritime operations. For the first time, defence and security organisations can deploy a craft that travels at speed over remarkable distances on the surface, before diving to approach their objective, unseen.  VICTA will transform capabilities in high-risk environments.”

A Royal Navy source said to the Mail Online : “For decades, we’ve been waiting for a vessel to be developed which is effective on the surface of the water and below. The enemy won’t be able to see or hear us coming. Given the threat to British ships in the Strait of Hormuz, its arrival is very timely.”

Click below to read November’s edition of Europe Diplomatic Magazine