The British company SubSea Craft launched the first prototype of the VICTA speedboat, which is able to dive under water and overcome some distance like a submarine. According to Janes, the tests are being conducted in Portsmouth, near the company's head office.
SubSea Craft presented the VICTA project in 2019. A high-speed boat capable of diving under water is created for the rapid and secretive delivery of combat swimmers to the enemy's territory. Usually the military is thrown there from a helicopter, a boat or miniature submarines. All these methods involve the risk of detection or danger to life.
VICTA is designed to transport eight fighters with equipment. According to the project, in the surface position, it will be able to reach a speed of more than 55.6 kilometers per hour and overcome up to 463 kilometers. The boat will move to the underwater position in two minutes. Under water, it will be able to move at a speed of up to 14.8 kilometers per hour for a distance of up to 46.3 kilometers.
The VICTA body will be largely made of carbon composite materials. In the surface position, an engine with a capacity of 725 horsepower will be responsible for its movement, and in the underwater position — two electric motors, each with a capacity of 20 kilowatts. The boat will control the depth of immersion with the help of four horizontal screws.
SubSea Craft launched the first VICTA prototype on September 9 in Portsmouth, near the company's head office. According to the company's schedule, from October to January, the boat will be tested on land. After that, in January and February, it will be tested on the water, and in February and March — under water.
Russia is also developing a vessel that can move both over water and under water. This is the submerged patrol ship "Guardian", which we wrote about earlier.
Vasilisa Chernyavtseva
