theholycow
05-15-2009, 07:01 PM
Neato. Someone has finally taken the design of an airplane, flipped it upside-down, and made it into a submarine that doesn't sink, but instead flies downwards.
http://www.newscientist.com/data/galleries/winged-submarine/slide-1---super-falcon.jpg
http://www.newscientist.com/gallery/winged-submarine
The world’s first production “winged submersible” should prove a boon for research and moviemaking – and for those that can afford it, says Peter Aldhous, thrills too.
Meet 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.
You too can buy one for $1.5million. When do you think we'll start hearing about crashes?
http://www.newscientist.com/data/galleries/winged-submarine/slide-1---super-falcon.jpg
http://www.newscientist.com/gallery/winged-submarine
The world’s first production “winged submersible” should prove a boon for research and moviemaking – and for those that can afford it, says Peter Aldhous, thrills too.
Meet 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.
You too can buy one for $1.5million. When do you think we'll start hearing about crashes?