Deep Submergence Search Vehicle

[Yellow Palace]

The planned second craft of the Deep Submergence Systems Project, after the Deep Submergence Research Vehicle, the DSSV didn't (officially) result in a vehicle entering service. According to John P. Craven in The Silent War, six DSRVs and four DSSVs were originally planned, but he gives no information beyond a 20,000 foot goal for depth capability.

After some poking about, I've managed to unearth a report, "Energy systems of extended endurance in the 1-100 kilowatt range for undersea applications", which has some more details. The mission was stated as being to search the ocean bottom and retrieve objects of up to 250 pounds by direct lift, with the vehicle being transported piggyback on another submarine.

As well as the 20,000 foot depth capability, an endurance of 30 hours at 3 knots was called for, although 6 to 8 hours would suffice for rescue and retrieval missions, and a submerged displacement of 85,000 pounds. The pressure hull was foreseen as comprising two 6' 6" titanium spheres, with pressure-resistant foam buoyancy material.

The report is available on Google Books here:

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=QGkrAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

An artist's impression of a Westinghouse DSSV was produced in 1967, with a copy appearing on eBay here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Artist-Drawing-US-Navy-Deep-Submergence-Search-Vehicle-Wire-Photo-/300613030365

 

[pacino]

is there Any Deep submergence submarine with torpedo ??

 

[Jemiba]

is there Any Deep submergence submarine with torpedo ??

Some answers are given here, I think : http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,14982.0.html

 

[Yellow Palace]

is there Any Deep submergence submarine with torpedo ??

Well, the USS Dolphin (rated to 3,000 feet) carried a single torpedo tube for experimental purposes, and carried out the deepest ever launching of a torpedo, so technically yes.

 

[shaba]

perisscope films has a video with a brief mention of the dssv at 4:24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR6PJin7b58&feature=relmfu

 

[Grey Havoc]

According to one of the brief mentions of the DSSV in this old Deep Submergence Systems Terminology guide from 1970, it's primary power source was based around a Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) utilizing gaseous hydrogen and oxygen.

 

[Grey Havoc]

is there Any Deep submergence submarine with torpedo ??

Well, the USS Dolphin (rated to 3,000 feet) carried a single torpedo tube for experimental purposes, and carried out the deepest ever launching of a torpedo, so technically yes.

An article from yesterday on the USS Dolphin: http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/deep-diving-dolphin-could-submerge-to-3000-feet/

 

[Yellow Palace]

The original Recovery Vehicle concept from the Deep Submergence System Review Group in 1963

The Deep Submergence Systems Review Group recommended this undersea search vehicle to the Secretary of the Navy in a report, April 1964. The proposed vehicle will be used to investigate ocean bottoms and recover objects.

Master Caption: Following the loss of the submarine USS Thresher in April 1963, the Secretary of the Navy established the Deep Submergence Systems Review Group to analyze the requirements for placing man at great ocean depths. The study included an examination of plans for the development and procurement of components and systems related to the location, identification, rescue from and the recovery of large and small boats, including submarines, from the ocean floor.

330-PSA-99-64 (USN 711458): Undersea Recovery Vehicle

Undersea Recovery Vehicle. The Deep Submergence Systems Review Group recommended this undersea search vehicle to the Secretary of the Navy in a report, April 1964. The proposed vehicle will be used to investigate ocean bottoms and recover objects. Master Caption: Following the loss of the...

www.history.navy.mil

It's interesting that this is termed a Recovery Vehicle, rather than a Search Vehicle, and in general configuration it fairly closely resembles the ALVIN and SEA CLIFF. There's also a missing photograph no. USN 711459 between this and the Rescue Vehicle, which presumably shows something from the DSSRG.

 

[Yellow Palace]

There's also a missing photograph no. USN 711459 between this and the Rescue Vehicle, which presumably shows something from the DSSRG.

The MIT Museum comes to the rescue here, with the Search Vehicle:

DSSRG Recovery Vehicle - MIT Museum

HG.1.01785

collections.mitmuseum.org

The proposal for separate Search and Recovery Vehicles is interesting, and doesn't align with what I've read elsewhere. Unfortunately I can't find so much as an archive record for the report of the DSSRG - although these images clearly come from it.