Diving and Salvage Equipment

The Diving and Salvage Equipment program within the Navy is designed to enhance the operational readiness and safety of naval diving operations. This initiative focuses on procuring essential equipment that supports submarine and ship repairs, salvage operations, and special operations forces' clandestine underwater insertions. The program aims to improve diver safety, increase underwater maintenance capabilities, ensure rapid response for salvage operations, and reduce maintenance costs through standardized diving systems.

In fiscal year 2025, the program emphasizes replacing aging life support equipment with modern alternatives to maintain fleet readiness. This includes acquiring surface-supplied diving helmets, composite air storage flasks, SCUBA regulators, and air purification units. Additionally, the program invests in advanced technologies such as augmented visual displays and 3D SONAR systems to enhance divers' visual acuity in low-visibility conditions. These technologies create a virtual environment for divers to operate efficiently under the guidance of topside supervisors.

The program also supports the Navy Experimental Diving Unit by upgrading its Ocean Simulation Facility, which is crucial for testing diving technology and procedures. This facility enables research into human performance and decompression physiology to advance diving capabilities. Furthermore, investments are made in salvage equipment like smart tow systems and hydraulic power units to facilitate ship salvage operations without requiring dry dockings.

For Naval Special Warfare Service-Common Equipment, the program continues to procure dive computers, recompression chamber upgrades, and diver life support system charging vans. These acquisitions ensure that Naval Special Warfare divers have access to reliable equipment for their specialized missions. The Diving and Salvage Equipment program is integral to maintaining the operational effectiveness of naval diving units across various mission profiles.