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First Post
10-07-2025
- Science
- First Post
It's a ship, it's a plane… Is China using Soviet technology to build a flying boat?
Images on social media reveal that China has built its own flying ship, dubbed the 'Bohai Sea Monster'. This wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft, commonly known as an ekranoplan, was first seen during the Cold War and developed by the Soviet Union read more We have all heard tales about the Loch Ness sea monster. What if we said there's a new sea monster that has surfaced in China? But this isn't an ordinary sea monster — it's one that could transform warfare. Before you get confused, let us clarify. New images have emerged on social media revealing what is believed to be China's wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft, unofficially dubbed the 'Bohai Sea Monster.' This new experiment is a combination between a ship and an aircraft, promising stealthy speed but raising strategic questions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what do we know about the Bohai Sea Monster? What is the significance of this maritime cargo lifter? Is that China's Bohai Sea Monster? Around 10 days ago, images of China's wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft, dubbed the 'Bohai Sea Monster', began circulating on social media with Naval News reporting on its presence first. It was originally spotted in an image with its nose section hidden. In that image, the flying-boat was pictured sitting on a pier situated on the Bohai Sea, which sits at the northwestern reach of the Yellow Sea. China's own Ekranoplan was first spotted around two weeks ago. Image Courtesy: X According to the South China Morning Post, the images revealed a buoyancy float fitted to each wingtip and four engines mounted side by side on top of the craft's wings. The engines are widely considered to be jet-powered but military website The War Zone suggested they could be propeller engines. But what exactly is this flying boat? Also known as an ekranoplan, it's not a boat, not even a plane — it borrows from both. It essentially rides on the surface of water or a cushion of air using the ground effect — the aerodynamic interaction between the moving wing and the surface below. Amid Cold War tensions, the Soviet Union developed the most famous WIG aircraft, known as the 'Caspian Sea Monster'. Designed by Soviet designer Rostislav Evgenievich Alexeyev, it was the biggest and heaviest aircraft in the world of its time. It was 92 metres (302 feet) long and had a maximum take-off weight of 544 tonnes. A Lun-class Soviet-made ekranoplan, which is a naval craft and a ground-effect vehicle, on the Caspian Sea coastline in Derbent in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. File image/Reuters The ekranoplan flew just one-to-five metres above the waves, taking advantage of the 'ground effect', 'a cushion of high pressure that forms under the wings of extremely low-flying aircraft'. The ship's proximity to the ground reduces drag, which in-turn increases speed and fuel efficiency. The combination of stealth and speed made the ekranoplan a formidable military vehicle, and could give the Soviet Union an edge in Cold War naval warfare. Even today, the biggest advantage favouring ekranoplans are that they are faster than ships, more fuel-efficient than low-flying aircraft, and are able to stay under radar horizons. The WIG is also believed to be able to withstand tougher weather and sea conditions compared to helicopters. But despite its apparent advantages, it never took off, becoming the mainstay of any country's naval forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why? Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retired), the current Director General of the Centre for Air Power Studies, in a 2022 report explained that the WIG or Ekranoplan has multiple limitations. He noted that the WIG has manoeuvrability constraints and that while they would be advantageous owing to radar evasion, they are dependent on stable seas, impairing mission continuity. What's the significance of China's Bohai sea monster? It is believed that Russia, the United States, Germany, Canada, Japan have all developed smaller models of the ekranoplan. However, China's is believed to be jet powered. Some defence analysts note that the Chinese WIG's full-scale appearance and build quality make it one of the most ambitious ekranoplan projects seen in decades. Some analysts note that China's Bohai Sea Monster could play critical roles in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. A 2023 report published by the South China Morning Post that an ekranoplan could reach the South China Sea within four hours and transport passengers or cargo in and around the region. Experts further note that in case of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the Bohai Sea Monster would be perfect for amphibious landing operations. A Naval News report explained that the Soviet WIG were able to deliver troops and armoured vehicles directly on to enemy beaches. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While China hasn't confirmed or denied the development of a WIG, it's in line with Beijing's ongoing push for innovative maritime and amphibious technology. It has the AG600 – the world's largest amphibious plane with a maximum take-off weight of 60 tonnes and payload capacity of 12 tonnes – which has recently entered mass production. Check out our new video! Aurora's Liberty Lifter seaplane concept for @DARPA maximizes efficiency by flying in ground effect and provides fast, heavy-lift transport that does not require an airstrip or shipping port. — Aurora Flight Sciences (@AuroraFlightSci) September 24, 2024 Does the US have its version of an ekranoplan? Yes. The US Defence Department's research arm, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), is reportedly working to develop an ekranoplan called the Liberty Lifter. According to Darpa, the 'Liberty Lifter could also provide sea-based search and rescue and disaster response at the scale of ships with the speed of air transport.' According to Aerospace America, the Liberty Lifter programme is currently in initial stages and it is planned to have a preliminary design review in 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Gulf Insider
09-07-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
China's Mysterious "Bohai Sea Monster" Spotted For First Time
China's mysterious 'Bohai Sea Monster' wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft has been seen in full for the first time, according to a report. The Ekranoplan, which is a special ultra-low flying aircraft made up of features from ships, airplanes, and hovercraft, was first spotted in the northwest area of the Yellow Sea, by submarine warfare expert HI Sutton. These craft are designed to fly below the radar horizon, while being much faster than ships. Naval News reports: The aircraft features a flying boat hull with a distinctive T-tail arrangement with two vertical stabilizers. This configuration is not found on regular aircraft but has been used on several Ekranoplans including some in China. It appears to have a comparatively short wingspan and large tail, typical of jet engines are mounted above the wing. These have slightly flattened nozzles suggesting downward angled thrust. This two is indicative of an Ekranoplan design. Soviet-designed ekranoplans, massive ground-effect vehicles, are built for rapid troop and armored vehicle deployment in amphibious assaults, a role typically filled by hovercraft in China's Navy (PLAN). This new model could signal an aggressive push for beach-storming transport capabilities, according to Naval News. China isn't the only superpower with an ekranoplan. The U.S. is forging ahead with the Liberty Lifer, a cutting-edge ekranoplan aimed at hauling heavy cargo, troops, and gear across the vast Pacific. This beast could slash the Pentagon's logistical nightmares. The appearance of the WIG is the latest sign of China's growing sea power. In April, satellite images exposed alarming activity at China's secretive Qingdao First Submarine Base, the nerve center for its nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Naval expert Alex Luck revealed that Google Earth's latest update had shown six Chinese submarines docked at a pier, with another in drydock. Five of these underwater war machines are armed with conventional weapons, signaling Beijing's aggressive naval buildup on its eastern coast. A recent Pentagon report warned that China's submarine fleet is set to surge from 60 to 65 by the end of 2025, with projections of a menacing 80 subs within a decade. As Beijing ramps up its military muscle, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Gen. Dan Caine, has raised red flags about the U.S.'s readiness. 'The U.S. does not have the throughput, responsiveness, or agility needed to deter our adversaries,' Gen. Caine told the Senate Armed Services Committee, sounding a dire alarm about the growing Chinese threat.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China's Mysterious Ekranoplan Seen In Full For First Time
We are getting our first full look at China's wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft. It was first identified last week by our friend and submarine warfare analyst HI Sutton. You can read his initial post at Naval News here. It was originally spotted in an image with its nose section obscured. In that image, the flying-boat-hulled aircraft was pictured sitting on a pier situated on the Bohai Sea, which sits at the northwestern reach of the South China Sea. As we have discussed many times before, the Soviet Union was famed for its experimentation and semi-operational use of large WIG craft known as Ekranoplans. The capability and tactical concepts surrounding it never really caught on en-masse, but we are currently experiencing a renaissance of sorts for large WIG aircraft that aim to race above the thick air above the water with relative efficiency and speed (most can fly less efficiently at higher altitudes too). The U.S. is developing just such an aircraft, the Liberty Lifer, in hopes that it could be used to deliver heavy cargo, personnel and materiel to far-flung locales across the great expanses of the Pacific. In doing so it would help reduce some of the Pentagon's looming logistic woes were it to fight across such a large theater. In the case of this mysterious aircraft being tested by China, it is loosely similar in scale to what we have seen of their new amphibious flying boat, the AG600, which is intended to perform resupply, search and rescue, and other missions, especially over the South China Sea. This WIG aircraft appears ideally suited for similar applications in the littorals. Flying low utilizing the thick cushion of air above the water to increase lift and decrease drag, the aircraft also stays under the surface/land-based radar horizon. Considering it is an aircraft, not a boat, it isn't vulnerable to mines, submarines, and other dangers that can lurk even in seemingly lower-threat waters. Still, it is not a survivable asset in a highly contested combat arena, but if a war were to erupt between the U.S. and China, China would be fighting in their own backyard, unlike the United States. Vast areas extending from its shores will remain readily accessible for periods of time. This is where such an aircraft would be useful even in a high-end fight — providing logistical support to remote areas and especially in recovering downed aircrew and other personnel. Even sea control and anti-submarine warfare applications are real possibilities. The biggest claim surrounding this aircraft is that it's jet powered. The image of its rear seems to point to that, but at the time we thought this remained very inconclusive as it looked like propellers may have been intended for it but not yet fitted. Still the exhausts looked large for a turboprop. This new pictures from the front is also inconclusive and there may be spindles or at least some sort of spike at the front of the engine nacelles, which would point to propellers. There are also upper inlets as well, which would mean two large inlets per nacelle if it was jet powered, which seems odd. It's also quite possible that this uses a new hybrid-electric propulsion system, which may make a lot of sense for this kind of aircraft. Regardless, these are low-resolution images that are sparse in details, and the aircraft could end up being jet powered, but it remains a significant question mark for us. As for the rest of the aircraft, it has a large joined v-tail, which is not uncommon for WIG craft. The wings have large outrigger wing-float sponsons on their tips and the hull appears to have smaller sponsons amidships. The nose is perhaps the most exotic element and it looks blended for efficiency, at least in a modern sense. The aircraft very likely leverages heavy use of composite structures allowing for weight savings, aerodynamic enhancement, and limited signature control as a byproduct. We also see a common flying boat stepped hull and a larger door open on its side, which would be useful for hauling cargo and recovering personnel. It's also worth noting that this aircraft could very well be a technology demonstrator that is meant to test a variety of design elements. It could even be a subscale one, or it could be meant to at least inform larger designs. On that note, it has clear similarities to the Pentagon's Liberty Lifter very large WIG craft that is in the works. So there you have it, our first full view of the 'Bohai Sea Monster,' as Sutton calls it. As with any new aircraft 'leaks' out of China, we should see a steady stream of higher-resolution imagery of this craft in the weeks to come. Contact the author: Tyler@
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
US Allies Ramp Up Sea Power as North Korea Threat Rises
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan and South Korea—both treaty allies of the United States in Northeast Asia—received new warships to bolster their sea power amid North Korea's ongoing naval modernization. Newsweek has contacted the North Korean Embassy in China for comment by email. Why It Matters North Korea—one of nine nuclear-armed countries—continues to threaten Japan and South Korea with the use of force. As part of its military buildup, Pyongyang has launched two 5,000-ton, missile-armed destroyers since April, with two sister ships planned for next year. Japan and South Korea possess advanced naval capabilities, making them key allies of the U.S. Navy. Tokyo is converting warships into aircraft carriers capable of deploying stealth fighter jets, while Seoul has outlined plans to build a vessel equipped with dozens of drones. What To Know The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force announced that it held a delivery and ensign flag presentation ceremony at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems' Tamano Shipyard on June 19, commissioning JS Yubetsu—the eighth Mogami-class frigate—into service. The Japanese frigate JS Yubetsu delivered to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems' Tamano Shipyard in Japan on June 19. The Japanese frigate JS Yubetsu delivered to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Maritime Systems' Tamano Shipyard in Japan on June 19. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The 3,900-ton warship is armed with missiles and a gun, and it is capable of conducting anti-ship, anti-submarine and naval mine warfare missions. Japan plans to acquire a total of 12 Mogami-class next-generation multi-mission frigates, according to the specialist outlet Naval News. The Yubetsu and the seventh ship of the Mogami-class, JS Niyodo, are the only two ships in the class equipped with a vertical launching system for firing missiles, Naval News reported, adding that the six earlier sister ships would be retrofitted with the same system later. Following the commissioning of the Japanese warship, South Korea's newest frigate, ROKS Gyeongbuk, was launched at SK Oceanplant's shipyard in Goseong on June 20. It is the second 3,600-ton vessel in the FFX Batch-III frigate program, according to Naval News. The South Korean navy described the Gyeongbuk as a "next-generation escort ship" designed to replace older frigates and patrol combat corvettes. It is expected to be delivered to the navy and become operational in June 2026 after completing tests and evaluations. SK Oceanplant launching the South Korean frigate ROKS Gyeongbuk at a shipyard in Goseong, South Korea, on June 20. SK Oceanplant launching the South Korean frigate ROKS Gyeongbuk at a shipyard in Goseong, South Korea, on June 20. South Korean Navy Similar to Japan's Mogami-class frigates, South Korea's FFX Batch-III frigates are armed with missiles and a gun to undertake a wide range of missions—including anti-ship, land-attack and anti-submarine warfare as well as defense against incoming anti-ship missiles. What People Are Saying The War Zone, a specialist outlet, said in a 2023 report on the Mogami-class frigates: "The Mogami class is capable of everything from surveillance to minesweeping operations as well as anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare. The frigates feature advanced electronic warfare and sensor suites. But above all else, they are designed to be operated by remarkably small crews. In essence, they will help the [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force] to be able to do far more with far less." Admiral Yang Yong-mo, the chief of staff of the South Korean navy, said at the launching ceremony of ROKS Gyeongbuk on June 20: "The newly launched Gyeongbuk is a combat vessel that integrates Korea's outstanding shipbuilding technology and defense science and technology, equipped with cutting-edge combat systems and precise detection equipment we made ourselves, and powerful armaments that will carry out the mission of protecting national interests and the lives of our citizens at sea perfectly." What Happens Next While countering North Korea's growing naval capabilities, Japan and South Korea also face threats posed by China—which has the world's largest navy by hull count—as the East Asian power expands its naval presence in the waters surrounding its neighbors.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Photo reveals Ukrainian sea drone that downed Russian Su-30 fighter
The first image of the Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessel (USV) that shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet over the Black Sea has been posted by Naval News, a military news platform focused on global naval developments. The vessel was identified as a new Magura V7 drone, equipped with two US-supplied AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. This marks the first time in history that a surface drone has successfully brought down a combat aircraft. Source: Mezha Media, a technology and IT news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company Details: The Magura V7 is an upgraded version of the previously used Magura V5, which had been deployed in attacks on Russian naval targets. The V7 is approximately 8 metres long—compared to the 5.5 metres of the V5—and features enhanced design modifications that enable it to operate in rough sea conditions. The drone is equipped with advanced communication antennas and navigation sensors to maintain control over extended distances. Two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles are mounted on special launch rails on the drone and are believed to be capable of being elevated for launch. These missiles reportedly have a maximum range of up to 10 km. Last year, Ukraine's Defence Intelligence stated that Magura drones also use Soviet-era R-73 air-to-air missiles with infrared homing systems. This successful engagement shows that the Magura V7 is not only effective in naval warfare but has now become a serious aerial threat to Russian forces, marking a new chapter in drone-based combat. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
