Flying Underwater

Photo from: http://deepflight.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/themes/toolbox/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/SuperFalcon_360_30-copy.png&h=435&w=980

A very interesting technology today is this DeepFlight Super Falcon that allows people to “fly” underwater. This is a personal submarine designed by an ocean engineer, Graham Hawkes. This technology enables adventurers to explore the deepest parts of the ocean. The Super Falcon can carry two passengers on undersea adventures. These are designed to dive below the surface and skillfully navigate through underwater canyons. “It is like flying in the air, but we are flying underwater”, said Hawkes. “It looks like a James Bond wild machine, but it is positively buoyant, so it’s really safe”, Karen Hawkes, the wife of Graham said.

The submarine is 21 feet long and has a wingspan that stretches at almost 9 feet. This technology represents an ultra-light undersea craft that operate on the same principles as aircraft. “By always being buoyant, and powering down using thrust and lift, Deepflight craft have the range and speed necessary to truly explore 3-dimensional space underwater.” It will also automatically float back to the surface if the power runs out.

The Hawkes Ocean Technologies was founded in 1996 and started designing submersibles for military and scientific communities. And lately they developed winged submersibles for luxury market. The Super Falcon now costs $1.7 million which includes on-site pilot and operations training. These vehicles are indeed among the latest high-tech man made that were produced. But before you experience the Super Falcon it would really costs you a lot of money.

Blogpost by: Jordan Ballaran

References:

Denise Chow. $1.7 Million Personal Submarine Lets You ‘Fly’ Underwater. Last Updated: January 27, 2014 Retrieved from: http://www.livescience.com/42877-super-falcon-submersible.html [Accessed on January 29, 2014]