Navy SEALs are considered by many to be the most highly skilled maritime force in the world. It is only fitting that they would employ the most up-to-date, cutting-edge equipment the military has to offer.

SEALs take their name from the elements in and from which they operate — Sea, Air, Land — and their equipment, vehicles and weaponry are chosen depending on the nature of the mission. Given the top-secret nature of many SEAL operations, some of this information remains classified. However, below are a few photos representing the types of high-tech tools of the trade you will employ if you are chosen to become a Navy SEAL.

SEA

Meet the next-generation naval crafts. The experimental Twin M hull vessel “Stiletto” could become a critical component of future SEALs missions. At 80 feet in length and designed for a speed of 50-60 knots, the vessel's fully loaded draft is a mere 3 feet. This would make the Stiletto an ideal craft to position SEALs during littoral or coastal zone operations.

Silent and shallow. Sailors assigned to Naval Special Clearance Team One prepare to enter the well deck aboard experimental boat ship “Stiletto” off the coast of San Diego during Exercise Howler.

The Stiletto’s patented M-shaped hull provides a stable, yet fast, platform for mounting electronic surveillance equipment or weapons, or for conducting special operations. The hull design does not require foils or lifting devices to achieve a smooth ride at high speeds in rough conditions. Its shallow draft means the M80 Stiletto can operate in riverine environments and potentially allows for beach landings.

The Ridged Inflatable Boat (RIB) is used by SEALs for insertion and extraction onto enemy occupied beaches. Extremely fast, this inflatable boat with a solid hull comes in two sizes – 24 and 30-foot versions – both stressing high buoyancy that can handle even the most extreme weather. The 30-foot model utilizes the water jet propulsion system, allowing for the beaching of the craft and close-to the-beach work if the SEAL platoon requires fire support.

When swimming distance or equipment becomes a factor, SEALs have their own unique form of transportation: SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs).

Primarily attached to a nuclear-powered submarine, SDVs provide life support for the embarked SEALs. Earlier boats allowed each SEAL to plug into an onboard air source and were flooded during operations, but the next-generation, Advanced SEAL Delivery System carries the SEALs in a dry compartment. Each type of SDV is battery-powered and offers navigation and communications equipment in addition to the propulsion and life-support systems.

AIR

A fear of heights is a deal-breaker in the SEALs. Here, members repel from an HH-60H Seahawk onto the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Fast-rope and rappel operations, used to retrieve troops behind enemy line, are often undertaken from the Seahawk. Designed for Combat Search and Rescue and Naval Special Warfare support, the HH-60H employs high-tech equipment such as Night Vision Devices, chaff/flare dispensers and infrared jammers. It is armed with M-240 or GAU-17 machine guns used to suppress enemy fire or used during a Special Operations insertion.

In addition, the Seahawk has been outfitted with Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) technology, and the capability to fire Hellfire anti-ship missiles, used to counter the small patrol boat and minelayer threat to U.S. Navy and commercial ships.

In a fight, the Seahawk boasts an armament that consists of two M-60D/M-240 machine guns or two GAU-17A miniguns. It can also pack a GCAL-50 machine gun, 2.75 inch rockets, Stinger, Maverick or Hellfire missiles.

If you’re planning on going airborne over 12,000 feet, oxygen is a must. During both High Altitude/Low opening (HALO) and High Altitude/High Opening Jumping (HAHO) jumpers will exit the aircraft at a high altitude, using compasses and terrain features to navigate to their targeted landing zones. And since losing consciousness because of lack of oxygen can happen even a lower altitudes, jumpers are fitted with an automatic pressure-activated rip cord pulling device — designed to open your chute automatically at a pre-set altitude.

LAND

SEALs depend on their teammates. But sometimes the SEAL operation is a lone mission as members are dropped behind enemy lines or placed alone in hostile environments. Even in these dangerous situations, SEALs are equipped with high-powered satellite communications. And trust us, the contents of this SEAL’s backpack can’t be bought at the local surplus store.

While the mission dictates the equipment, SEALs often have at their disposal: spotter scopes, GPS, CAR 15s with M-203 grenade launchers, a SASR .50 caliber sniper rifles and shotguns if the tasks involve close-in work.

“Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate.” Pictured is the SEAL code in action, as a Team member provides security from a rooftop as part of a non-combatant evacuation exercise during Desert Rescue XI at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev. The exercise simulates the rescue of downed aircrew behind enemy lines, enabling other aircrews to perform Combat Search and Rescue missions, as well as experiment with new techniques in realistic scenarios.

There’s off road and then there’s way off road. Here, SEALs receive tactical mobility training from the Naval Special Warfare Group Two Training Detachment.

The four-wheel-drive, diesel-powered HumVee is outfitted with a rear-mounted 50 caliber machine gun. This workhorse is valued for its versatility and durability and is ideal for troop movement in a low-threat environment.

Think of it as a dune buggy that packs a punch. The Desert Patrol Vehicle (DPV) is equipped with an M-60, .50 caliber machine gun, 20-mm gatling gun and two AT-4 rockets each. The DPV is ideally suited for long-range reconnaissance and for strike warfare. Fast and agile, it can traverse just about any terrain features it comes across.