Marine

Graham Hawkes explains how a Deep Flight sub can 'fly' underwater

One of two existing Deep Flight Super Falcon submarines, on display at Future of Electric Vehicles
One of two existing Deep Flight Super Falcon submarines, on display at Future of Electric Vehicles

One thing was very clear at the recent Future of Electric Vehicles conference in San Jose – innovative design and development of electric vehicles is not restricted to the automotive sector. The case-in-point is the Deep Flight Super Falcon submersible. The two-occupant underwater vehicle was designed and manufactured by Hawkes Ocean Technologies, and is one of only two in the world. Like most of the other Hawkes vehicles, the Super Falcon is more like an underwater airplane than a submarine, soaring through the water column instead of rising and sinking. Company founder and Chief Technical Officer Graham Hawkes was a presenter at the conference, and showed us just how his submarine is able to “fly” underwater.

The first Super Falcon was launched in 2008, and delivered to venture capitalist Tom Perkins for a price of US$1.2 million. The craft in the video belongs to Graham Hawkes himself. The positively-buoyant little submarine weighs 4,012 pounds (1,820 kg), can descend to 1,000 feet (305 meters), and is powered by two 48 V lithium-phosphate batteries. It can cruise for around six hours, and supply life support for 24 hours.

Full specs are available on the Deep Flight website.

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2 comments
Adrian Akau
Thank you Gizmag, the two minute video explanation is excellent. The front wing curvature pemits a downward force instead of upward life as in airplane wings. The controls for the twin rudders and the back wings (I don\'t know the technical name) work with just a simple joy stick. Amazing!!! Watch out whales!!
Nick Herbert
Yes please, Santa...!