Hawkes’ Super Falcon set for `hydrobatics' at Lake Tahoe
07 Aug 2012
Hawkes Ocean Technologies will test the limits of ''hydrobatic'' capabilities of its DeepFlight Super Falcon, an advanced manned submersible, at Lake Tahoe this October.
DeepFlight Super Falcon, a 22-foot-long submersible vehicle that can be driven by a crew of two, has a maximum speed of around 7 miles (over 11 km) an hour.
What distinguishes DeepFlight Super Falcon from other underwater craft is that it is capable of maneuvers that would seem impossible.
''Hydrobatics is like aerobatics underwater,'' said Adam Wright, principal mechanical engineer for the company.
While the submersible has logged more than 200 dives, Wright said, its capabilities have never been fully investigated.
The company expects the Lake Tahoe performance testing to fully explore its underwater capabilities – as to exactly what maneuvers the submersible can accomplish.