Built as a “deep submergence rescue vehicle” (DSVR) by Lockheed Missile and Space Co., Sunnyvale, California for the quick-reaction world-wide, all-weather capability for the rescue of survivors in a disabled submarines.
Two were built the DSVR 1 with the unofficial name AVALON in service on 07 August 1971and the DSRV 2 with the name MYSTIC in service on 07 August 1972.
Displacement 32 tons (in air), dim. 15 x 2.4m.
Powered by electro motors, propeller mounted in a control shroud, four ducted thrusters. Speed 4 knots, range 24 mile by a speed of 3 knots.
Diving depth 1.525 metres
Crew 4 and has space for 24 rescued men.
Wikipedia gives on this craft:
The mode of deployment for these United States submersibles is: fly the vehicle to the port closest to the incident; attach the vehicle to a host submarine; the host submarine travels to the incident site; rescue. The DSRVs were originally designed to work with USS PIGEON and USS ORTOLAN, but those two vessels have since been decommissioned and replaced by the Submarine Rescue Diving Recompression System.
• DSRV-1 MYSTIC - Deactivation begun on 1 October 2008. Replaced with remotely operated tethered SRDRS.
• DSRV-2 AVALON - currently in "mothball" status, maintained by Lockheed Martin, Coronado, California.
The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) is designed to rescue 24 people at a time at depths of up to 2000 ft. Their maximum operating depth is 5000 ft. Power is provided by 2 large batteries, one fore, and one aft that power the electrical, hydraulic and life support systems. The DSRV uses mercury in a completely sealed system to allow themselves to match any angle (up to 45°) in both pitch and roll so as to "mate" (attach) to a downed submarine that may be at an angle on the sea floor. The DSRV is capable of being transported by Air Force C-5 to anywhere in the world within 24 hours.
It is then loaded onto a "Mother Submarine" (MOSUB).
The MOSUB then carries the DSRV to the rescue site where several trips are made to rescue all personnel.
Rescue is usually accomplished by ferrying rescues from the stranded sub to the MOSUB, however, they can also be taken to a properly equipped surface support ship.
In addition to a number of U.S. Navy submarines being outfitted for MOSUB capabilities, several NATO countries also have submarines outfitted to carry the U.S. Navy DSRV for rescue capability as needed. Both the UK and French Navies have such submarines.
The interior of the DSRV is composed of 3 spheres. The forward sphere is the "Control Sphere" where the DSRV's pilot and copilot operate the vehicle. The two aft spheres (known as Mid Sphere and Aft Sphere) are used to seat the rescues or to install equipment for additional operations. Maneuvering is accomplished using 4 thrusters and one main propeller.
Palau 1995 32c sg909, scott372j