You adjust the chair using all sorts of fancy motorized hydraulics, with loads of small adjusters that allow you to position it just so. Not that it looks like any position would be all that comfortable.

It's a one-of-a-kind piece, an original prototype that was never used for a full line. Because of that, and because it's made out of parts from, you know, a nuclear submarine, it ain't cheap. We're talking $37,000. For a chair. An awesome looking chair, but a chair nonetheless. I'll stick to my cheap office chair, thanks. [Device Gallery via BornRich]

The Cormorant is an unmanned aircraft to be used on different types of missions, mainly as a reconnaissance and troop support. It uses a turbo-fan engine for flying, which of course can't be put underwater. The trip from the submarine to the surface works using physics: when the missile bay opens, the Cormorant starts ascending like a cork, thanks to the pressure difference.

During this time, the engine inlet is sealed. When the plane reaches the surface, it jumps out of it because of the acceleration and, precisely when it is in midair, two rockets fire up to get it off the surface. When the necessary speed is achieved, the turbo-fan fires up and the rockets are ejected. From that point, the UAV follows its trajectory and executes its mission, returning to sea after it's done.

When it reaches the programmed rendezvous point, the engine stops, a parachute deploys, and it falls into the water to wait for the submarine to retrieve it. The submarine, however, doesn't have to come to the surface at any time. Instead, it would launch another robot, which will hook the Cormorant to the sub using a cable. The submarine will then tow the plane down and put it back in its bay.

Too bad all this genius is dedicated to war. But hey, better Cormorants than Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles. [Cormorant]

So tricky in fact that the Coast Guard is pushing for a new law to make sailing an "unflagged" semi-sub illegal in international waters. This'll save them the bother of actually catching the slippery subs, which are often scuttled by the crew when they're about to be captured.

Apparently the designs are getting ever more sophisticated, with some being unmanned and remotely piloted, while other newer ones are even made of steel. Some are even painted blue to make detection more difficult. They were adopted, so the thinking goes, to get around the Coast Guard's tactic of shooting out the engine of smuggling boats: in a sub, the engine's protected underwater.

It's amazing to me that these things work in the first place: I mean, regardless of the potential illegal prize money, would you trust your life to a home-brew submarine? That's one hell of a MAKE project. [CNN]

A gemstone set joystick control maneuvers pilots as they pretend to be Jacques Cousteau or Sean Connery (depending on their personal level of coolness and choice of Sean Connery submarine driving character). Sure, the pleasure will run you $1,440,000, but realize that the price includes both the leather seat upgrade and two days of training so you don't kill yourself and make manufacturer U.S. Submarines look bad.

Is it me, or are personal submarines are the official toy of the pretty rich—that sweet spot where consumers want more than a nice sports car but aren't quite moneybags enough to play the "retire" and run a vineyard game? As gadget enthusiasts, death by overzealous octopus beats drinking your liver away with pride any day, but it's a close vote. [nm via gizmowatch]

Underwater Express Program [Via SCI FI]

It's available in a few different sizes, accommodating from two to 10 people on board, and it resembles a private jet inside with its luxo-sport furnishings. It's easy to steer the thing, too—it's similar to a video game with its joystick control and animated touchscreen display. These subs were designed for launching off uber-yachts, but they can also cast off from the shore, too. – Charlie White

US Subs New Discovery 1000 Submarine [Bornrich]

You can equip them with extra batteries, sonar, halogen lighting and a whole lot more. Looks like almost as much fun as diving, and you don't even have to get wet. – Charlie White

Product Page [U-Boat Worx, via bornrich]

Exomos manufactures a variety of submarines, and the one pictured here is called Proteus, which can submerge to a depth of around 60 feet. Sixteen divers can sit on the fore and aft deck and hang on while the boat submerges, and at the same time eight people can sit inside the dry cabin and see out of its huge windows. Exomos also offers single-person subs, submersibles for military use, and spy subs, too. – Charlie White

Product site [Exomos, via The Cool Hunter]

For example, U.S. Submarines offers the Phoenix 1000, a 213-foot personal luxury submarine that was originally custom-built for a client but is now for sale at an undisclosed price. There's 5000 feet of living space, with huge viewports on the side. It's capable of transoceanic crossings, and when the weather gets rough, the boat can submerge into a perfectly smooth and quiet environment. Take a look at the company's site, where there's a variety of submarines from which to choose. Wow.

Product page [via BornRich]