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DPD Diver Propulsion Device

To provide enhanced combat diver performance and survivability in amphibious reconnaissance operations.

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History

The mission of the Marine Corps reconnaissance underwater combat diver has expanded to include closed-circuit underwater diving. This expanded operational role will require reconnaissance Marines to use additional equipment in order to complete their missions. The DPD will be fielded to satisfy this need.

Description

The DPD is a man-portable device capable of propelling a diver at one knot. It has enough power to last the duration of the diver's O2 canister. Power is provided by rechargable gel-cel lead oxide batteries connected to two drive motors. The DPD will capitalize on the stealth of Over-The-Horizon (OTH) operations. Diver survivability and mission accomplishment will be improved by the use of a propulsion unit allowing the diver to conserve energy. The DPD will also provide a platform for real-time intelligence collection, while decreasing the possibility of detection by allowing the diver to stay submerged.