Submarines are being built with all amenities, power and speed. But the next submarine for the US Navy screams only express. When DRAPA is backing a project the result we know, will definitely be express. Case in point therefore is the Underwater Express submarine, which is being developed to cruise through the deep waters at 100 knots.
The speedy mini-sub project, under the design of Co. Electric Boat, has entered the test phase, and if all goes well, a new submarine that’s more than three-times faster than the fastest sub today (with speeds of 30 knots) could be born. The sub’s ultra-fast speed is an attribute of the supercavitation phenomenon, wherein an object moves so fast through water that it creates a gas bubble around itself, eliminating the drag completely and allowing the vessel to reach high speeds.
Electric Boat is producing a quarter-scale model for this test phase and once the workout is successful, the Co. wishes to assemble a full-sized, i.e. 100-foot-long Underwater Express for the next testing phase.
Via: PopSci
