Submarine Development Group 2

Submarine Development Group 2
Unit name	Submarine Development Group 2
Dates	1967 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Submarine development and special operations
Command structure	United States Fleet Forces Command
Garrison	Naval Station Norfolk
Garrison label	Home port

Submarine Development Group 2 is a specialized command within the United States Navy focused on advancing undersea warfare capabilities and supporting special operations forces. Established during the Cold War, it operates under the authority of United States Fleet Forces Command from its primary base at Naval Station Norfolk. The group is responsible for the development, testing, and tactical application of advanced submarine systems and unmanned underwater vehicles, often working in close conjunction with units like Naval Special Warfare Command.

History

The unit was established in 1967, a period of intense technological competition during the Cold War, to centralize and accelerate the United States Navy's efforts in submarine-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Its creation was influenced by earlier, ad-hoc efforts following incidents like the loss of USS Thresher (SSN-593), which underscored the need for dedicated deep-sea operational and rescue expertise. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the group played a pivotal role in pioneering the use of nuclear submarines for clandestine missions, including cable-tapping operations against the Soviet Navy in pivotal areas like the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. Its evolution continued post-Cold War, expanding its mandate to include support for the Global War on Terrorism and integrating new technologies for mine warfare and special reconnaissance.

Organization

The command is structured around several subordinate detachments and units that specialize in distinct operational and developmental areas. Key components often include dedicated dry deck shelter teams for SEAL Delivery Vehicle operations, unmanned underwater vehicle detachments, and specialized sonar and communications research divisions. It maintains a close, integrated relationship with other major Navy commands, including the Naval Sea Systems Command for acquisition and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command for C4ISR integration. The group also works directly with operational submarine squadrons and the research scientists at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center to transition experimental systems to the fleet.

Mission and responsibilities

Its primary mission is to develop, test, evaluate, and tactically employ advanced undersea warfare systems and techniques. This encompasses the operational development of unmanned underwater vehicles for missions such as mine countermeasures, hydrographic survey, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. A core responsibility is providing dedicated submarine support for United States Special Operations Command, facilitating the covert insertion and extraction of Naval Special Warfare personnel, including SEAL Team Six. The group also maintains a high state of readiness for submarine rescue operations and contributes to the broader anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the United States Atlantic Fleet.

Notable operations and exercises

While many of its activities remain classified, the group has been associated with several historically significant missions. During the Cold War, it was integral to operations like Operation Ivy Bells, a risky CIA-led effort to place wiretaps on Soviet underwater communications cables. Its submarines and personnel regularly participate in major multinational exercises such as Exercise Baltic Operations and Exercise RIMPAC, where they demonstrate and validate new undersea warfare tactics. Following the September 11 attacks, its capabilities were leveraged in support of direct action missions in theaters like the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, often in coordination with Joint Special Operations Command.

Equipment and submarines

The group operates and tests a diverse array of cutting-edge undersea platforms. It has historically utilized modified Sturgeon-class submarines and Los Angeles-class submarines, outfitted with dry deck shelters and other special mission enhancements. Its current inventory includes the more advanced Seawolf-class submarine and Virginia-class submarine, prized for their stealth, sensor suites, and payload flexibility. For developmental and tactical tasks, it employs a range of unmanned underwater vehicles, from large Boeing Echo Voyager prototypes to smaller, tactical systems used by explosive ordnance disposal teams. The command also evaluates specialized sonar arrays, satellite communication systems, and special operations forces insertion craft.

Commanding officers

Leadership has traditionally been drawn from the Navy's most experienced submarine officers, often those with backgrounds in deep submergence or special operations. Previous commanders have included veterans of key Cold War confrontations and officers who later attained flag rank within the United States Navy. The succession of commanding officers reflects the unit's enduring focus on operational excellence and technological innovation, with each leader shaping its evolution in response to strategic shifts from the era of the Soviet Union to modern challenges posed by near-peer competitors like the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Category:United States Navy commands