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The DeepFlight Super Falcon is a personal submarine designed by Graham Hawkes, a former civilian ocean engineer.

Development

The Super Falcon was designed by Graham Hawkes. Later, he started designing submersible vehicles for both the oil industry and those in the scientific research sectors. One of his earlier submersibles was featured in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Another was used in producer James Cameron‘s Aliens of the Deep.[1]

The first test flight of the Super Falcon in 2009 ran into a few problems including getting the submersible stuck in a kelp bed, which had to be cut free with the help of a safety diver. Other initial problems included a broken propeller and rudder while performing vertical dives and 90° rolls.[2]

Design

Mark I

The Super Falcon is classified as a winged submersible with a numerical design designation of DF 302. With its wings deployed, it measures 3 m (9.8 ft) wide × 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) × 6.7 m (22 ft) long. The width is reduced to 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) with the side wings folded.[3]

The electricity that drives the propulsion system is from batteries,[4] the Super Falcon’s cruise speed is between 2–6 knots (3.7–11.1 km/h; 2.3–6.9 mph). Its maximum thrust is 508 lb (230 kg). The maximum rate at which it can make a descent is 200 ft/min and the maximum rate at which it can ascend is 400 ft/min. It can operate at a depth of 1,000 fsw with a payload of 230 kg (510 lb), or 2 people. It has a launch weight of 1,818 kg (4,008 lb).[3]

Mark II

The redesigned Super Falcon is 5.9 m (19 ft) long, 1.4–2.7 m (4.6–8.9 ft) wide (wings folded or extended, respectively), 1.6 m (5.2 ft) tall, and a launch weight of 1,818 kg (4,008 lb). It has a cruising speed of 2–6 kn (3.7–11.1 km/h; 2.3–6.9 mph), under thrust of 231 kgf (2,270 N; 510 lbf), with an operating depth of 120 m (390 ft). It can carry a crew of 2, and a payload of 230 kg (510 lb) including the crew.[5] The vehicle uses lithium ion batteries for energy storage.[6]

Submarines

The Mateschitz Super Falcon is a Mark II custom fitted to Red Bull billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, for use at the island and resort that he owns, Laucala Island in Fiji.[6] It is the first resort-based Super Falcon.[7]

References

  1. ^ Schrope, Mark (December 2009). “Run Silent Run Sleek”. Popular Mechanics. Hearst Communications, Inc: 82–85. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  2. ^ Schrope, Mark (December 2009). “Test Drive in the World’s Fastest Personal Submarine”. Popular Mechanics. Hearst Communications, Inc. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  3. ^ a b “Deep Flight Super Falcon”. Deep Flight. Hawkes Ocean Technologies. Archived from the original on 26 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  4. ^ “Deep Flight Super Falcon winged submarine readies deep sea exploration in San Francisco”. Engadget. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  5. ^ “DeepFlight Super Falcon Mark II”. DeepFlight. Archived from the original on 2014-12-02. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  6. ^ a b Steven Bertoni (2 September 2013). “Red Bull Billionaire Buys A New Million Dollar Extreme Submarine”. Forbes Magazine.
  7. ^ “Fiji’s Laucala Island Debuts World’s First Resort DeepFlight Super Falcon Submersible Experience”. Luxury Travel Magazine. 10 July 2014.