The Mako Submersible (Mako Attacking Submarine) is a type of midget submarines used by the RDA on Pandora to explore the moon's underwater world. It has room for one pilot and one gunner and can be dropped into the sea from a Sea Dragon's keel at the start of its mission.
Specifications[]
A Mako submersible is an extremely diminutive submarine used largely for short-ranged scouting and underwater defence. Unlike conventional submarines, the Mako's cockpit resembles a glass canopy that one could compare to an aircraft or a submersible, rather than the fully enclosed hull of conventional design.
Likewise, the Mako submersible also boasts four foldable 'winglets' that could allow the Mako to achieve greater hydrodynamics when uncollapsed or increase storage space when collapsed. The midget sub boasts three ducted propellers for propulsion, which allows it to travel at a blistering 40 knots underwater.[2]
For defensive or offensive purposes, each Mako submersible is armed with four harpoon torpedoes on each side and a single ventral cannon beneath the cockpit.[2]
Purpose[]
Mako Subs being launched.
The Mako submersible was initially developed for defense of the SeaDragon and the coastal harbor. However, the hydrodynamic vehicle also operates under RDA Cet-Ops as part of a tulkun hunting fleet including the Picador boat and Matador boat, leveraging its high-explosive torpedoes, harpoons and wildlife nets.[3] They are able to fire orange inflatable balloons at the tulkun, hampering their ability to dive and swim away, which allows the RDA's jetboat fleet led by Mick Scoresby to kill the animal using a Harpoon Torpedo.
Operational History[]
Avatar: The Way of Water[]
Mako submersibles were deployed by the Cet-Ops during the hunt on tulkun in order to lure Jake Sully and his family out of hiding. Prior to the skirmish at the Three Brothers, one Mako sub was used to capture Jake Sully's children, which then allowed Miles Quaritch to bring them to the SeaDragon. Another Mako sub pursued Kiri, Aonung and Rotxo. However, Kiri bonded with a group of sea anemones to disable the pursuing submarine.
Trivia[]
- The Mako's shape and role is more akin to an underwater fighter jet than to an actual submarine designed for stealth.
- Its name probably takes inspiration from the mako shark.
- Both the Mako and the Crabsuit play a story role similar to the submersibles featured in James Cameron’s film The Abyss.
References[]
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