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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Sea Splice

Prototype SWATH Vessel:
  • Designed by Lockheed Martin
  • Laid down, date unknown, at Nichols Brothers Shipyard, Pacific Marine & Supply Co. Ltd.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Sea Splice is a prototype experimental SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull ) vessel being tested by the Navy. SWATH technology allows ships to operate at higher speeds while retaining their characteristic low motions in a seaway
  • Placed out of service, date unknown
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • Sold to Advanced Offshore Solutions, Rotterdam, Netherlands in 2015
  • Final Disposition, scrapped at Esbjerg, Denmardk, circa April-May 2019
    Specifications:
    Displacement 180 t.
    Length 104'
    Beam 32'
    Draft unknown
    Complement unknown
    Speed 30 Kts.
    Range unknown
    Armament
    Guns one 35mm Oerlikon Contraves Millemium Naval Revolver Gun System
    Missiles Lockheed Martin Missile Systems & Fire Control LAM (Loitering Attack Munition).
    Propulsion unknown
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Sea Splice
    020802-N-2706D-?    		 158k Aerial view of the experimental Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) ship Sea Slice, an experimental ship built by Lockheed-Martin, operating off the coast of Port Hueneme, CA., 3 August 2002, during Fleet Battle Experiment Juliet (FBE-J). Fleet Battle Experiment Juliet is a joint warfighting experiment combining both live field forces and computer simulation at various locations throughout the United States during “Millennium Challenge 2002” (MC-02). Millennium Challenge is the nation's premier joint integrating event, bringing together both live field exercises and computer simulations throughout the Department of Defense. Note; Sea Slice is carrying modular mission packages, which simulate the US Navy's proposed Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The modular mission packages provide a range of warfare capabilities, including Mine Countermeasures (MCM), Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW), Force Protection and Time Critical Targeting. Some of its weapons tested during FBE-J include the joint Lockheed Martin and Oerlikon Contraves 35mm Millennium Gun and the NetFires System and launcher, intended to launch Loitering Attack Munitions (LAM).
    US Navy photo #'s, 020802-N-2706D-? and 020802-N-2706D-002 by JO2 Terry Dillon.    		 Robert Hurst
    Sea Splice
    020802-N-2706D-002    		 353k
    Sea Splice 259k Sea Slice (foreground) passes the docked high-speed Catamaran HSV-1X (IX-532) Joint Venture. Upper left is the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), date and location unknown. Robert Hurst
    Sea Splice 2005k An aerial view of the experimental Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) ship Sea Slice as she returns to her homeport of Naval Station San Diego. Sea Splice is a new, patented ship technology that enables SWATH ships to operate at higher speeds while retaining their characteristic low motions in a seaway. Sea Splice technology’s key innovation is reduction of wavemaking drag, which is accomplished by its four teardrop-shaped submerged hulls.
    US Navy photo # 051130-N-9866B-004 San Diego (Nov. 30, 2005) by JO2 Zack Baddorf.    		 Darryl Slater
    Sea Splice 37k Sea Slice underway, date and location unknown
    Photo courtesy shipspotting.com    		 Robert Hurst
    Sea Splice 246k Aerial view of the experimental Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) ship Sea Slice as she returns to her homeport of Naval Station San Diego, CA., 30 November 2005. Sea Slice is a new, patented ship technology that enables SWATH ships to operate at higher speeds while retaining their characteristic low motions in a seaway. Sea Slice's technology’s key innovation is reduction of wavemaking drag, which is accomplished by its four teardrop-shaped submerged hulls.
    US Navy photo # 051130-N-9866B-003 by JO2 Zack Baddorf.    		 Robert Hurst
    Sea Splice 25k Ex-US Navy Sea Slice being lifted aboard the Heavy Lift Vessel Frauke at San Diego in September 2015. Ex-Sea Splice will be operated by Advanced Offshore Solutions of Rotterdam, Netherlands. The ship will be primarily used for offshore work in the renewal energy sector. Tug Towing and Offshore Newsletter, 23 September 2015
    Sea Splice
    09770308    		 143k Ex-US Navy Sea Slice tied up at Esbjerg, Denmark, 19 May 2017. Note Maersk Giant 2 in background.
    Photo courtesy of Doctor Kark-Heinz Hochhaus. This file is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.    		 Robert Hurst
    Sea Splice
    09770309    		 203k Ex-US Navy Sea Slice tied up at Esbjerg, Denmark, prior to being broken up, 7 April 2019.
    Photo courtesy of Thomas Dahlstrom Nielson. This file is licensed under Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.     		Robert Hurst
    Sea Splice
    09770310    		 282k Ex-US Navy Sea Slice being broken up at Esbjerg, Denmark, 10 May 2019.
    Photo by MinorTH (real name unknown). This file is licensed under Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.     		Robert Hurst
    There is no DANFS history currently available for Sea Splice at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 6 October 2023