IN N' OUT: The Mark V SOC
King of the littorals? Specifically designed for the military, that may just be the case for the Mark V Special Operations Craft. Derived from the lessons learned in Vietnam and in keeping with the naval needs of today, the Mark V SOC represents the Spec Ops community's most efficient means of navigating shallow waters.
Of paramount importance: the Mark V SOC.
Mark V SOC: Killer Features
Name:
Mark V SOC
Type of Equipment:
Special Operations Craft
Killer Features:
Capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots and ranges of 500 nautical miles
Specifically designed for military use, including an angular design for reduced radar signature
Provides 360 degrees of coverage
If you're a member of the naval special operations forces, then you know the importance of the Mark V Special Operations Craft (SOC). In your world, a craft that can get you in and out of shallow water environments quickly, easily and without detection is of paramount importance. The Mk V SOC meets your needs.
The Mk V SOC is the newest, versatile, high performance combatant craft introduced into the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Special Boat Squadron (SBR) inventory. Designed to improve our Navy's near-shore capabilities in light of the Gulf War and Vietnam, the Mk V's induction has drastically enhanced our maritime special operations capabilities.
Developed specifically to support SOC operations, including insertion/extraction of SOC personnel, the Mk V is capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots and ranges of 500 nautical miles with a reduced radar signature. Essentially, it gives the Navy an independent, high-speed craft that can dump SOC personnel along enemy shorelines without being seen. Add to that the fact that the Mk V offers its SOC operators maximum comfort levels in rough sea conditions, and you've got yourself a winning SOC design.
Going Military What makes the Mk V so striking is its military-specific design. The Mk V is the successor to the High Speed Boat (HSB). The HSB was used throughout the Gulf War, but unfortunately proved to be maintenance-intensive, prone to mechanical failure, and had a limited capacity to carry weapons, equipment and personnel (most likely attributed to the fact that the HSB was built based on a civilian design. For shame).
By contrast, the Mk V is a military-designed boat, capable of carrying 16 SOC personnel. Manufactured by Halter Marine Inc. starting in 1995, the Mk V was built to meet the needs of the special operations community. For starters, the Mk V can be easily delivered to its operational theater. It can be delivered by C-5A Galaxy aircraft (To see a humorous picture concerning a C-5A, click here), on well- or deck-equipped amphibious warfare ships, or even self-deployed if within range (500 nautical miles).
On top of that, the Mk V has several features that ensure it accomplishes its missions. Like a stealth fighter, the Mk V possesses an angular design and a low silhouette to reduce its radar signature -- much to the comfort of our troops -- making it harder to spot and detect. Additionally, its V-shaped hull design provides the Mk V operators improved handling under rough sea conditions.
Each Mk V is also equipped with a fully integrated communications suite that includes VHF-BTB (boat-to-boat), VHF-FM, UHF/VHF-FM UHF AM/FM, LOS/SATCOM, VHF-High Band, HF, UHF-handheld, electronic data transfer, and IFF. Its navigational systems include radar, GPS, LORAN, chart plotter, Fathometer, and flux-gate compass.
In terms of weaponry … Let's just put it this way: the Mk V can hold its own. It has 4 hard points (two on each side of the craft), providing 360 degrees of coverage. At those points, it can mount any of the following: 7.62mm machine guns (M60, M240), .50 caliber machine guns (both single and twin mounts), Mk19 40mm automatic grenade launcher, GAU-2 B/A 7/62mm 6-barrel mini-gun, Mk 38 25mm machine gun system. Talk about firepower!
Nothing has highlighted the U.S. Navy's need for better near-shore capabilities than the Vietnam War. If one lesson was learned from Vietnam (at least one, right?), it was that the US Navy needed better abilities within the littoral. The Mk V provides that. It ensures that SOC personnel are delivered to their operational theater quickly and easily. To the members of our naval special operations forces, a craft like that is of paramount importance.
Statistics
Length Overall 82 ft.
Beam, maximum 17.5 ft.
Draft (max. static) 5 ft.
Displacement 57+ tons in operational configuration
Speed 50 knots
Hull Design Mono hull, 5086 series aluminum
Propulsion Engines 2 x 2285 HP MTU 12V396 TE94 engines
Propulsor 2 x KaMeWa K50S Waterjets
Fuel Capacity 2600 gallons fuel capacity
Nav System Radar, GPS, LORAN, chart plotter, fathometer, flux gate compass
Communications Systems VHF-BTB, VHF-FM, UHF/VHF-FM UHF AM/FM, LOS/SATCOM, VHF-High Band, HF, UHF-handheld, data, IFF
Accommodations 5 crew; up to 16 passengers and up to 4 CRRC + 6 outboard motors and fuel
Builder Halter Marine Inc., Gulfport, Miss.
Weapons Load 5 mounting positions for 7.62 mm machine guns or miniguns, .50 Cal heavy machine guns, 40mm grenade launchers; improvements include 7.62mm gatling guns, twin .50 Cal, 25mm guns, STINGER Surface-to-Air Missiles
