Non-Subscriber Extract
Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles
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| 14 August 2000 |
| Name | No | Builders | In service | F/S |
| MYSTIC | DSRV1 | Lockheed Missiles and Space Co, | 7 Aug 1971 | PSA |
| AVALON | DSRV2 | Sunnyvale, CA | 28 July 1972 | ASA |
Dimensions, feet (metres): 49.2 × 8 (15 × 2.4)
Main machinery: Electric motors; silver/zinc batteries; 1 prop (movable control shroud); 4 ducted thrusters (2 fwd, 2 aft)
Speed, knots: 4
Range, miles: 24 at 3 kt
Complement: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, 2 rescue sphere operators) plus 24 rescued men
Sonars: Search and navigational sonar, and closed-circuit television (supplemented by optical devices) are installed in the DSRV to determine the exact location of a disabled submarine within a given area and for pinpointing the submarine's escape hatches. Side-looking sonar can be fitted for search missions.
The carrying submarine will launch and recover the DSRV while submerged and, if necessary, while under ice. A total of six DSRVs were planned, but only two were funded. They alternate their duties every two months.
The outer hull is constructed of formed fibreglass. Within this outer hull are three interconnected spheres which form the main pressure capsule. Each sphere is 7.5 ft in diameter and is constructed of HY-140 steel. The forward sphere contains the vehicle's control equipment and is manned by the pilot and co-pilot, the centre and after spheres accommodate 24 passengers and a third crewman. Under the DSRV's centre sphere is a hemispherical protrusion or `skirt' which seals over the disabled submarine's hatch. During the mating operation the skirt is pumped dry to enable personnel to transfer. Operating depth, 1,525 m (5,000 ft). Names are not `official'. Both have been upgraded with modern electronics and navigation systems. Avalon carried out trials with the British SSBN Victorious in November 1995.
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| MYSTIC (11/1998, van Ginderen Collection) |
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| AVALON (3/1999*, van Ginderen Collection) |
| Displacement Dived (tonnes): | 38.6 |
| Displacement Surfaced (tonnes): | 30.4 |
| Length (m): | 15 |
| Beam (m): | 2.4 |
| Range (nm): | 24 |
| Speed (knots): | 4 |