What exactly is an SDV, and why did the Navy SEALs rely on it?
The SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) is a specialized miniature submarine designed to transport Navy SEALs and their equipment through hostile waters without being detected. Carried aboard larger submarines and launched beneath the surface, these remarkable craft allowed special operations teams to infiltrate enemy coastlines, conduct reconnaissance missions, and carry out covert operations far from public view.
Unlike traditional submarines, SDVs are operated by divers wearing specialized breathing equipment while exposed to the surrounding water. Though physically demanding, the stealth and flexibility they provided made them an essential tool for the Navy’s most elite maritime warriors.
This exhibit at the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut, offers a rare glimpse into a world of underwater special operations that few people ever see. Hidden in plain sight, the SDV represents the innovation, courage, and secrecy that define both the Navy SEALs and the Silent Service.
Explore more stories from the Submarine Capital of the World at SubmarineCapitaloftheWorld.com.