While many may think of DARPA as the (un)official mad science division of the Pentagon, the agency does manage to kick-off some amazing technology once in a while. This time, it is the Underwater Express mini-sub that can go as fast as 100 knots, and uses a technology that has a rudimentary similarity to the warp field from Star Trek.
darpa underwater express
The 100 knot speed is far in excess of the 30 knots that submarines can do today, and is achieved by a hydrodynamic effect called supercavitation. As the sub gathers enough speed, a gas bubble envelops it to reduce drag, thereby increasing the possibilities for greater speed. The submarine will go on trial soon, starting with a quarter scale model, which if successful, will give way to testing of a full scale 100-ft sub.
Via: Popular Science/ Gizmodo
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