Kronos: the ‘Batman’ submarine capable of carrying mini-torpedoes
In the shape of a diamond, with a structure very similar to that of manta rays and two wings that can be folded for easy transport.
A new submarine that could be mistaken for a giant manta ray is set to hit the market. Owned by the United Arab Emirates-based company Highland Systems, it has designed the futuristic Kronos submarine.
How can Kronos be used in war?
The submarine is designed for covert operations and is able to accommodate ten passengers and one crew member. The design can be adapted for commercial activity but is built specifically for rescue and combat operations.
To support those military operations, the submarine can be equipped with a total of six mini torpedoes, three on each side, which could be used to shoot down enemy ships or port bases.
The vehicle weighs 10,000 kg (22,000 lbs) and has a load capacity of 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs) in the water.
Making it even more effective, the vehicle can be carried in a normal truck with the wings folded, which can make it easy to transport anywhere in the world. It has a maximum speed once on the water of 80 kilometers per hour, while submerged it reaches 50 km/h. It normally operates at a depth of 100 metres, although it can descend to 250 metres.
Kronos can run on fuel or a hybrid system thanks to an electric motor that, when combined with submersible mode, offers a total autonomy of up to 54 hours. The battery needs to be charged for a period of 1.5 hours, which is also the amount of time needed to refuel when the air.