DPRK Making the Case for Underwater Options
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Investigators have determined the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea, used a midget submarine to fire a 500 lb torpedo into the South Korean corvette Cheonan on March 26, sinking the ship in the Yellow Sea and killing forty-six sailors. Popular Mechanics now asks, “Is the U.S. Prepared to Face Midget Submarines?”
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“Instead of a large number of Soviet nuclear-powered submarines on the open ocean… The emerging threats are minisubmarines, swimmer-delivery vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles.”
Domestically, the USCG has an underwater port security (UPSEC) program in place, consisting mainly of inspection and detection capabilities including divers, remotely operated vehicles, and sonar. A major hurdle according to the service’s R&D center is limited response options after a threat is detected, mainly non-lethal acoustic hailers and entanglement devices. Projectiles, explosives, and marine mammals have been considered to complete the force spectrum if a deadly force option is ever needed. The MK3A2 concussion grenade has been fielded by USCG units, and although effective, it was designed for use against enemy soldiers in bunkers, buildings, and underground passages, not underwater targets. To provide a lethal option to its crews, the USCG issued a memorandum in 2004 that included requirements for a lethal anti-swimmer weapon, resulting in the design of an Anti-Swimmer Grenade (ASG) in 2007.
With a proven midget sub attack on a close ally and renewed concerns of hostile swimmers, divers, manned torpedoes, and undersea vehicles, the program may be due for increased focus and urgency to develop and field additional monitoring, inspection, and force options for underwater threats.
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