U.S. Special Ops Kayaks / Canoes
The use of canoes / kayaks for clandestine military operations goes back as far as World War 2, with British commandos raiding German shipping at Bordeaux by sneaking up the river in 2-man canoes in order to plant magnetic mines on ships in the harbor. Even in the age of stealth helicopters and HAHO jumps, American special operations forces still employ kayaks as a method of amphibious infiltration.
Units known to employ canoes in such a manner include the Navy SEALs, Marine Force Recon, Marine Special Operations Battalions and Army Special Forces.
Models of Kayak used include the Klepper Aerius II, as used by the SEALs and USMC SOF, and the Long Haul Mark II Commando, as used by the Special Forces. These models are foldable, which means they can be collapsed down for transportation or for caching. They can also be submerged and cached underwater. They are 2-man, tandem designs, with air-tight comportments which make them virtually unsinkable. Mission equipment and the personal kit of the operators is stored inside the kayaks. When in use, the kayaks sit low in the water, making for a very low visual signature. Other stealth characteristics include low radar, infrared, acoustic and thermal signatures.
Klepper Aerius II Specifications
| Payload | 712 lbs |
| Gross Weight | 71 lbs |
| Dimensions | Length - 17.8 ft Beam Width - 34 in |
Long Haul Mark II Commando Specifications
| Payload | 900 lbs |
| Gross Weight | 96 lbs |
| Dimensions | Length - 17 ft Beam Width - 34 in |
