SEOUL — The South Korean Navy has a submersible that also doubles as a surface vessel.
According to Korean Naval manufacturer VOGO, the vessel can be deployed via airdrop from a C-17 or C-130 aircraft. It can carry a crew of 10.
On the surface the SDV 1000W can travel at 35 knots, or 40 mph via diesel engines and waterjet propulsors. While submerged it can travel at 6 knots or 7 mph using lithium polymer batteries and silent electric motors.
Submarine expert H I Sutton reports that the vessel functions like a wet-sub, in that the crew still wear diving gear and receive oxygen from a sizeable on-board air system. This lets passengers exit underwater, but the vessel can also be run up a beach.