This past week we had the opportunity to visit the workshop of Hawkes Ocean Technology. They are the builders of "winged submersibles" that dive using short wings and forward momentum rather than the traditional variable ballast submarines rely on. The most apt comparison is that a normal sub is like a hot air balloon, where as Hawkes Ocean Technology makes underwater planes. Not using variable ballast lets them build subs that maintain positive buoyancy (a useful safety factor), in a compact and (relatively) cheap package.



It was inspiring to tour their workshop, including getting to view Deep Flight Challenger (below), a sub being built to dive to full ocean depth (36,000 feet). This sub was funded by Steve Fossett, for a planned record attempt for the world's deepest solo manned submersible dive. Unfortunately, the fate of this project is in limbo now that Fossett has been declared dead after his small plane disappeared over Nevada. Anyone interested in joining a consortium to realize this exploration?