Something Special: U.S. SOCOM Continues to Modernize Its Fleet of Smaller Surface Craft
Posted on August 31, 2020
by Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor
Just as “Big Navy†is conducting programs to modernize its battle fleet, one of its fleets of small boats has been going through a substantial modernization: the small surface craft that support special operations forces (SOF), in particular the Navy’s SEALs and Marine Raiders in their clandestine operations.
The SEALs use special operations craft, operated by special warfare combatant craft operators, to approach shores and insert and extract teams of special warfare operators. These craft are fast, quiet, capable of shallow-water operations, and armed with machine guns for use if their cover is blown. The small craft also can be used for coastal patrol missions and to interdict hostile craft and conduct visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) missions.
https://seapowermagazine.org/something-special-u-s-socom-continues-to-modernize-its-fleet-of-smaller-surface-craft/
