Few things in life evoke awe and inspire the imagination like high-tech futuristic gizmos. This is especially true for those of us with Y-chromosomes, most of who were never quite able to outgrow our childhood dump-trucks-and-fast-cars fascination. So, needless to say, when someone invents flying cars or an amphibious stealth submarine, we want to be among the first to hear about it.
To that end, here are a few of the latest and greatest sea craft that have recently arrived from the future.
M80 Stiletto
This pentamaran (five-hull) carbon fiber U.S. Navy vessel is arguably the most advanced military seagoing vessel in the world today. Measuring in at 27 meters long and capable of reaching up to 51 knots, it can carry twelve troops and operate in extremely shallow waters. It is also capable of transporting and launching small surveillance subs or unmanned aircraft, smoothly navigating tumultuous seas, and making beach landings. And with a price tag of only about $10 million, it’s quite the bargain.
Necker Nymph
Richard Branson is a badass. Not only has he used his vast fortune to set up the first commercial space flight program, which is due to begin operating soon, he is also trying his hand at underwater exploration. Virgin Atlantic currently offers trips into the waters of the British Virgin Islands in its one-of-a-kind “aero submarine,” which uses a system of environmentally friendly reverse-lift propulsion to glide down into the territory of dolphins and whales. The Necker Nymph features an open cockpit, holds three passengers, reaches speeds of up to 6 knots underwater, and can dive as deep as 30 meters. Not bad Branson.
Marion Hyper Sub
This luxury yacht/submarine is truly unique. With elegant leather seats for five and a sleek wood-grained interior, it offers class; with a dive range of 600 feet, self-renewing oxygen and battery supplies, a range of approximately 1000 miles on a single fuel tank, and a surface cruising speed of 40 knots, it offers power and flexibility; and with GPS, radar, a manipulator arm, and the ability to right itself if flipped in a storm, it offers rugged practicality. Not to mention that it looks awesome enough show up in the next James Bond movie.
Zubr Hovercraft
The Zubr Class LCAC is an amphibious hovercraft originally designed by the Soviets. It is a whopping 57 meters long and weighs about 500 tons, but can travel at 63 knots and safely navigate over minefields. It can also carry and launch tanks, accommodate up to 500 troops, lay mines, and blow things up with its impressive rocket launchers and heavy ordinance machine guns. Check out the YouTube video of this thing storming a beach if you are looking for a quick testosterone boost.
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Turanor PlanetSolar
On a much more peaceful and nerdy note, the Turanor PlanetSolar is a 100% solar-powered catamaran named for terminology in J.R.R Tolkein’s sci-fi trilogy. At 31 meters and 95 tons, it is the world’s largest solar ship. It can carry up to 40 passengers and be manned by a crew of 4. Five hundred and thirty-seven square meters of solar panels blanket the boat, powering its modest 26.8 horsepower engine and generally making it look like a large ocean-going computer chip.
The Turanor is currently on route to complete the first-ever solar-powered boat trip around the globe: a journey being used to promote renewable energy.
Whether they are built for purposes of war or peace, these state-of-the-art vessels are triumphs of engineering and testaments to the ability of the human imagination. They are both intellectually inspiring and gutturally awesome––glimpses of the vast technological possibilities of the future. And yet, even despite how impressive we find them, they inevitably beg the question of what’s next?
A huge thank you to Ladbrokes for their contributions to this article.
Guest Authors and Friends of Pinstripe Magazine, Online Mens Magazine for Gear, Girls and Gadgets.
