I want one of these for Christmas. I really, really want one.
Winged submarine is Ferrari of the depthsMeet the
Deep Flight Super Falcon, the world's first production winged submersible, pictured here diving off the British Virgin Islands in January.
Unlike conventional submersibles, which sink because their ballast makes them heavier than water, the Super Falcon is positively buoyant and descends using inverted wings that exert a downwards force when the craft is propelled forwards by its motor, just like a plane uses its wings and engines to generate lift.
If you'd like your own, Hawkes Ocean Technologies of Point Richmond, San Francisco Bay, California, will be happy to oblige for a cool $1.5 million.
The cockpit is a snug fit. On the right is a joystick that controls the craft's pitch, roll and yaw much like the controls on an aircraft. The throttle is situated to the left.
Among the safety features is Super Falcon's positive buoyancy, which means that there is no chance of sinking to the ocean depths if the power fails. 'You crash to the surface,' explains oceanographic engineering technician Jay Tustin. Super Falcon can be operated cheaply from the shore, descending under its own power from the surface.
Hawkes admits that he built Super Falcon for thrills, not for science. 'I just wanted the freedom to fly in that space without any compromise,' he says.
This is their site if you have a spare mill and a half.
Deep Flight Techy specs are available here:
Super Falcon Specs.pdf