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April 2011 www.sname.org/sname/mt Benets of the improved design, con- struction, and operational testing of SEALION 2 include the following. Improved seakeeping. This translated directly into reduced shock levels for crew, passengers, and payloads. Reduced human fatigue and injury as a result of reduced shock levels and limited movement proved essential for safe and eective operations. Reduced damage to craft and craft equip- ment increased availability and should decrease lifecycle cost. Enclosed crew and payload compartments with adequate space for crew/passengers, payloads, and other mission gear. Use of this concept eliminated environmen- tal exposure; it increased crew comfort, reduced fatigue, and allowed for state-of- the-art/easily upgradeable technology incorporation that may otherwise be envi- ronmentally sensitive). It also provided protection against threats and external environmental conditions. Human systems integration. Efficiency and improved awareness resulting from reduced fatigue enable operators to multitask. Multitasking translated directly into increased mission eectiveness and reduced the num- ber of required operators. A multidisciplinary approach was employed, which focused on optimizing human performance and reduc- ing human error, facilitating smart utilization of automated and semi-autonomous systems, improving situational awareness, and reduc- ing mental workload. Reliability and maintainability. For increased operational availability, qual- ity was key: sound engineering attention to detail during construction, dedicated and knowledgeable contractors/ subcontractors, and well-built components. In 2009, SEALION 1 was designated to be modified and lengthened to the same length as SEALION 2 and upgraded to sim- ilar or improved specications, taking into consideration further lessons learned from operations and testing of SEALION 2, includ- ing those just listed. e craft has been cut, gutted, stretched, and is being outtted at OIW. Delivery of SEALION 1 MOD is expected in 2011, with builder and government sea trials also scheduled for 2011. OIW was pre- viously self-identied as a manufacturing organization only, but now is a contender for future maritime industry programs due to the successful execution of this program. The SEALION 1, SEALION 2, and SEALION 1 MOD programs were developed and executed in an IPT environment includ- ing NAVSEA headquarters, NSWC-CD CCD, Naval Special Warfare Group 4 (NSWG-4), and OIW. is IPT construct fostered team- ing between technical leaders with users, designers, and manufacturers which led to an optimization of an evolutionary design process. Additionally, because the program has been in existence over several years, the groups formed excellent working relation- ships, and the resulting high-performance team had the necessary time to incorpo- rate user feedback to the designers and manufacturers. The SEALION 1 and SEALION 2 pro- grams have been funded through NAVSEA, Oce of Naval Research (ONR) and Special Operations Command. The funding from ONR and NAVSEA was a result of a congres- sional plus-up and represents a successful program linking government and private industry expertise. The particular mix of expertise included setting technical require- ments and designing a craft in full from bow to stern, along with integration of commercial components and manufacturing expertise. NSWG-4, based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, is working with its navy counterparts in evaluating a possible replace- ment for the Mark V Special Operations Craft, NSWs 82-foot SOF insertion/extraction craft. Improved acquisition The extensive user testing of SEALION 1 and SEALION 2 has charted the course for improved acquisition of future combatant craft and the replacement of Mark V which is nearing the end of its service life. Naval Special Warfare littoral missions have con- tinued to evolve as a result of the emergence of nontraditional threats. e testing and reports from this program directly aect the technical requirements for future acquisition programs like Combatant Craft Medium and Combatant Craft Heavy. At 77 ft. in overall length, SEALION 2 is slightly longer than SEALION 1, the vessel on which SEALION 2 is based.