Payload Delivery Vehicle (PDV)
The Cost-effective unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) solution to your clandestine payload delivery needs.
Hercules
C4 Group, LLC has developed a Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV).
We have named this new LDUUV the “Hercules” Payload Delivery Vehicle (PDV). The PDV designation was selected to pay homage to the design’s heritage as it relates to the Navy’s SEAL Delivery Vehicle known as the SDV. The Hercules PDV is very similar in size and construction to the SDV but is unmanned and has a very large payload section.
The Namesake
C-130 Hercules
The name Hercules is an analogy to the C-130 Hercules aircraft. The C-130 is a robust and proven platform that is the foundation of many other aircraft variants. This one platform can be configured as a cargo carrier, storm chaser, weapons platform or electronic warfare platform to name a few.
The Hercules Payload Delivery Vehicle can also be configured in multiple ways depending on mission requirements. The variety of different payloads the Hercules can carry is nearly endless. Configure Hercules for SOF support, Clandestinely Deployed Mines or Sensors, One-Way Explosive Drone, RDT&E, Surveying and Mapping, or Seabed Operations to transport and/or support other smaller UUV’s.
Payload Section
Swap out payload section for different missions
The Hercules PDV has an enormous payload capacity compared to any other LDUUV in existence. The Hercules can carry a payload with a dry weight of 2,000 lbs and 1,000 lbs of negative buoyancy. The Hercules payload section is 14 feet long, 4 feet 8 inches wide and 2 feet 4 inches tall for a total of 140 cubic feet.
Current Configuration
Developmental Configuration
The current configuration of the Hercules was developed as a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) vehicle that will be available to buy or lease to promote the development of LDUUV systems and payloads. By having an affordable operational platform available, other developers can concentrate on their products and their strengths whether it be battery systems, navigation sensors/software or payload capabilities without the expense of having to develop their own vehicle.
What is your Configuration?
Flexible Configurations
The versatility of the Hercules design and construction makes it easy to customize the vehicle to your specific mission requirements. Beyond the extremely valuable modular capability of being able to swap out the payload section we can configure the Hercules with various battery sizes or chemistries, a change in overall length, pressure vessels with deeper depth ratings, external payload mounts, expanded electronics suites, etc.
We want the Hercules to be the "standard" LDUUV platform!
Standardizing on such a versatile and cost-effective platform could create a ground swell of LDUUV technological development of subsystems, payloads, mission concepts and tactics to support our nation's dominance in subsea drone warfare.