Future is fish-shaped for the latest hi-tech submarines

THE Royal Navy has unveiled designs for the future of underwater warfare, including submarines that could fire swarms of fish-shaped missiles, or deploy shoals of micro drones that would escape detection by dissolving on demand.

Vessels shaped like manta rays and flying fish-like drones are some of the other ideas proposed for revolutionising undersea military operations.

The concepts, mimicking real marine lifeforms, have been designed by young British scientists and engineers from UKNEST, a not-for-profit organisation which promotes science, engineering and technology for UK naval design. They were created for a Royal Navy project to show how underwater warfare could look in the future.

“It’s predicted that in 50 years’ time there will be more competition between nations to live and work at sea or under it,” said Cdr Peter Pipkin, the Royal Navy’s fleet robotics officer.

“With this in mind the Royal Navy is looking at its future role, and how it will be best equipped to protect Britain’s interests around the globe.”

New technology could see micro drones made from cold saltwater-soluble polymers like the liquid capsules used in washing machines.

These would be engineered to dissolve after a predetermined period of time, so if deployed in enemy waters they would be undiscovered.

‘In 50 years’ time there will be more competition between nations to live and work at sea or under it’