The CHARC: Covert High-speed Attack and Reconnaissance Craft

Yet it is also foldable so it can be taken aboard mother ships and can operate in very shallow waters. So when the threat has been neutralised, the 12 metre CHARC folds up into a space not much larger than a SEAL team inflatable boat and when compressed it has steerable wheels to facilitate fast and easy storage.

Accordingly, several CHARCs can be carried on each ship, offering a formidable school of CHARCs to ward of would-be attackers.

Insertion of SEAL teams

The CHARC has a rear-access hatch to allow a SEAL team to enter and exit the craft easily, and one of its primary anticipated roles is seen as inserting special operation forces into hot spots. There are two configurations for the CHARC, one that can carry six SEALS and one that carries eight.

Controlling unmanned auxiliary craft

Another potential use for the CHARC is as a forward control and monitoring station for unmanned air, surface and underwater craft - with the capacity to respond immediately and lethally should the unmanned craft detect a threat.

Sensitive eyes and ears

The CHARC will have a retractable sensor mast and further sensors in its nose - no details are yet available of the suite of sensors, but they can be expected to include a number of the systems used in other Lockheed Martin machinery, and almost certainly infra-red sensing.

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