Fish-shaped torpedoes and dissolving parts could be examples of how submarine warfare could look in 50 years' time.

Young British scientists and engineers from UKNEST, which promotes science, engineering and technology for UK naval design, took part in a challenge to design the futuristic subs.

The Royal Navy designed the challenge to "imagine what a future submarine would look like and how it would be used to keep Britain safe in decades to come", a spokesman said.

Image: Participants were to 'imagine what a future submarine would look like'

The results included unmanned eel-like vessels with sensor pods which dissolve to hide from the enemy and a manta ray-shaped mothership with a surface that can morph in shape.

Image: Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson said future engineers should be pushing boundaries

Commander Peter Pipkin, fleet robotics officer, added: "With more than 70% of the planet's surface covered by water, the oceans remain one of the world's great mysteries and untapped resources.


"It's predicted that in 50 years' time there will be more competition between nations to live and work at sea or under it. So it's with this in mind that the Royal Navy is looking at its future role, and how it will be best equipped to protect Britain's interests around the globe.

Image: Results included vessels with dissolving sensor pods and a mothership

"Today's Royal Navy is one of the most technologically advanced forces in the world, and that's because we have always sought to think differently and come up with ideas that challenge traditional thinking.

"If only 10% of these ideas become reality, it will put us at the cutting edge of future warfare and defence operations."

Image: The Royal Navy says such ideas could put it at the cutting edge of future warfare

Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson, the Ministry of Defence's director of submarine capability, said the engineers of the future should be encouraged to be "bold, think radically and push boundaries".

"From Nelson's tactics at the Battle of Trafalgar to Fisher's revolutionary dreadnought battleships, the Royal Navy's success has always rested on a combination of technology and human skill.

Image: More than 70% of the planet's surface is covered by water, making it an important resource

"The pace of global innovation is only going to increase, so for the UK to be a leader in this race it needs to maintain its leadership in skills and technology.

"Hopefully this project has inspired the next generation of British scientists to be bold in their ambitions and I congratulate them for their inspiring work."