Water way to travel! Super winged submersible that 'flies' through the ocean unveiled

By Claire Bates
Last updated at 11:51 PM on 15th May 2009

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Man has raced across the land and launched into space, but traveling underwater has proved more tricky.

Now an engineer has built a high-tech winged submersible that he says can 'fly' beneath the waves.

The Super Falcon Submersible, which resembles Thunderbird 4, can reach depths of 1,500 feet and speed through the ocean at six knots, which is nearly seven miles per hour. It has a range of around 25 nautical miles.

Created by British inventor Graham Hawkes for Hawkes Ocean Technologies, it is the newest and most advanced sub of their Deep Flight series and the culmination of four generations of experimental prototypes.

Sea for two: The Super Falcon Submersible surfaces near San Francisco following 20 years of research

Mr Hawkes said: 'After twenty years of prototyping, Super Falcon is our most advanced and elegant submersible yet, encompassing all the innovations we made in introducing underwater flight from the surface to the bottom of the ocean.'

The sub has a carbon fibre pressure hull that encompasses two cockpits with dual flight controls and instrumentation familiar to military pilots.

It can descend at speeds of up to 200ft per minute and ascend twice as fast at 400ft per minute. Passengers would not have to worry about 'the bends' because the cabin pressure remains at one atmosphere.

Pitch, roll and yaw are controlled by 'fly by wire' - this operates using electrical signals and a computer rather than cables and rods. A throttle lever gives the needed thrust.

Into the deep blue sea: The submersible can descend at speeds of 200ft per minute and ascend twice as fast at 400ft per minute

The submarine has all the equipment needed to stay safe and comfortable under the seas

The craft can be flown through 360 degrees or in a very smooth, near silent horizontal flight for observation.

'It is advanced enough to go barrel-rolling with dolphins, spy-hopping with whales or searching for sunken galleons,' Mr Hawkes added.

Those apprehensive about deep sea travel may be glad to learn that the craft has an auto-return that will bring it back to the surface should it run into trouble. It also has life support for 24 hours while a typical dive won't last longer than five hours.

The submersible can glide silently to allow unrivalled exploration of aquatic creatures and corals

Sold as the 'Lear jet' of the seas, the first Super Falcon was commissioned by venture capitalist Tom Perkins for his yacht S/Y Maltese Falcon and launched in 2008.

'When I was looking for a submersible, I wanted a fighter jet, not a blimp,' Mr Perkins said.

'I believe the Super Falcon is the future for underwater adventuring.'

The second Super Falcon craft built was unveiled to the public at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco this month.

The Super Falcon Submersible can travel up to six knots for a range of 25 nautical miles

Mr Hawkes announced that policy makers, educators and artists would be the first to experience the Falcon in the interests of marine conservation.

'We need these people to experience marine sanctuaries at first hand so they can spread the message of why they are important and help protect them,' he said.

Later this year he plans to invite the public to take part in a 'flight school' and fly underwater in the submersible, costing between £3,300 and £9,900.

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