Indeed, the American navy is now evaluating a design called the Waveglider, made by Liquid Robotics of Sunnyvale, California, for submarine-detection work.

ECONOMIST: Fleets of robot submarines will change oceanography

The MoD spokesman said suspending production had not impacted work on the submarine programme.

BBC: AWE building

The Natural Resources Defense Council, which released its "Sounding the Depths" report Monday, pushed the Navy to find out before putting the new submarine-detection system to work.

CNN: waves

His latest work in progress is a submarine, complete with half-tonne propeller, that will take centre stage in a children's playground.

BBC: How to build a bigger, better corkscrew

It was revealed that the submarine's sonar operator had admitted that his work had been hindered by the civilians that had been on board the vessel.

ECONOMIST: Turkish delight

Work starts on five more in 2001 -- including a submarine and the country's first aircraft carrier.

CNN: Intelligence: The Sharks Are Circling...