SEALION

  3 (+1) SEALION Special Operations Craft (SOC)
Name          Pendant No.   Launched      Commissioned     Status  
SEALION I     ...           2000          2014             Active  
SEALION II    ...           ...           2014             Active 
SEALION III   ...           ...           2021             Active 
SEALION IV    ...           ...           ...              Ordered 

The Sea, Air, Land, Insertion, Observation and Neutralization (SEALION) craft is a special forces boat in service with the United States Navy. These semi-submersible vessels are designed for long-range insertion and extraction of Navy SEAL commandos in medium to high danger environments. Per the Dept. of Defense, SEALION heavy craft provide platoon-sized maritime surface mobility along with limited coastal patrol and interdiction capabilities. These special forces boats can be transported by an L-class well deck amphibious vessel or by C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The individual craft are built to slightly different specifications (See Variants section).

HULL: Designed for low-observability stealth operations, SEALION craft feature a fast planning, wave piercing aluminum hull constructed with thermal and acoustic insulating materials. The fully enclosed deck areas are divided into a crew cabin, electrical compartment, engine compartment and 3,300-lb (1,500-km) capacity payload bay. An access hatch is positioned on the top of the craft, above the payload bay.
The craft measure 77 ft 5 in (23.6 m) long with beams of 14 ft 5 in (4.4 m) and drafts of 3 ft 7 in (1.09 m). The boats displace 40 tons at full load and 32.5 tons light.
Seven deck-mounted Ullman Daytona seats are installed in the crew cabin. The payload bay, located at the rear of the vessel can embark two inflatable Zodiac FC470 combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC) or a modified Yamaha FX Cruiser SHO jet ski. Embarked vehicles can be deployed and recovered via a stern ramp and doors. Alternatively the payload bay can be modified with eight seats for passengers instead of vehicles.
Total crew complement is seven, with capacity for 13 passengers.

ENGINEERING: Two MTU 10V2000 M93 10-cylinder diesels produce 3,954 total bhp. Two KaMeWa thrust and reverse waterjets are fitted.
Reports of the SEALION's top speed varies, but is believed to be approximately 40 knots. The maximum range of these craft is 400 nm (740 km).

ARMAMENT: The vessels are armed with two 12.7-mm remotely-controlled guns.

SENSORS/ELECTRONICS: A Furuno DRS4D digital radar is fitted to a retractable mast above the crew cabin. A Furuno GPS system is also installed. SEALIONs are equipped with a roof-mounted Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared (CCFLIR) sensor pod which includes a color & infrared-capable camera and a gyro-stabilized, cryogenically-cooled laser range finder and pointer.

Three in service. Operated by the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command.

The SEALION project originates with the Alligator special forces boat designed in the mid-1990s by Oregon Iron Works. After testing, Alligator was transferred to the Israeli armed forces, as the U.S. pursued a larger, more capable craft. The project was a initialized as an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) in Spring 2000.
The first prototype, SEALION I was launched in 2000 and delivered in January 2003. The second, slightly modified craft, SEALION II was delivered at a later date. From 2003, both boats were extensively tested and trialed with U.S. Navy SEALs. Both original units were intended as technology demonstrators.

Both craft were refurbished in 2013 and were fully operational by fiscal year 2014.

On June 2, 2017, the Defense Dept. announced a $17.5 million contract for the design, construction, testing and support of a third, more advanced boat was awarded to Vigor Works (formerly Oregon Iron Works) in June 2017, with planned delivery in 2019. The craft, SEALION III was delivered in 2021.

On Aug. 15, 2018, the U.S. Special Operations Command issued a tender for a transporter system to be used with the SEALION craft.

Naval News reported on July 10, 2021, that at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in May 2021, the United States Special Operations Command revealed that a fourth unit, SEALION IV, was in production to replace SEALION I. Per the announcement, SEALION I would be retired upon SEALION IV's fielding. It was unclear if SEALION IV had been contracted or laid down, or was still in a planning stage at the time.

The Warzone reported on May 10, 2024, that the Navy revealed a fourth SEALION craft was on order. The contract was awarded to Fincantieri Marine in late April with an option for a fifth craft. The two planned craft are intended to replace the first two prototype boats. Vigor Work's role in SEALION IV and V was unclear.

Vigor Works, Clackamas, Ore., USA (Formerly Oregon Iron Works)

 CREW
   Total                   7 + 12 passengers

 DISPLACEMENT
   Light                   32.5 tons
   Full load               40 tons

 DIMENSIONS
   Length                  77 ft 5 in (23.6 m)
   Beam                    14 ft 5 in ( 4.4 m)
   Draft                    3 ft 7 in (1.09 m)

 PROPULSION
   Main                    2 x MTU 10V2000 M93 diesels                           
      power                3,954 total bhp; 2 x KaMeWa waterjets

 PERFORMANCE
   Speed                   40 knots
   Range                   400 nm (740 km)

 COMBAT SYSTEMS
   Guns                    2 x 12.7-mm remotely-controlled
   Radar                   1 x Furuno DRS4D navigation
   Camera                  1 x Color and Infrared                          

SEALION I

The original SEALION demonstrator prototype. Launched in 2000 and delivered in January 2003. Currently in service but planned for replacement by the future SEALION IV. Characterized by a single window on each side of the front hull.

SEALION II

The second SEALION unit, also used as a test platform and prototype. Designed with two windows on each side of the front hull.

SEALION III

The third unit of the series and the first designed for operational usage, delivered in 2021. Similar to the SEALION II, with minor improvements for reliability, maneuverability and safety.

SEALION I was initially contracted for $9 million. SEALION II was initially contracted for $10 million. SEALION III was procured for approximately $17.5 million.

The U.S. program designation is Combat Craft, Heavy (CCH).