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News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Science
- News.com.au
China's terrifying new giant ‘sea monster' warplane pictured for first time
Chilling pictures have emerged showing China's terrifying new giant 'sea monster' warplane for the first time. And the wing-in-ground effect (WIG) aircraft, commonly known as an ekranoplan, is a throwback to Soviet military tech from the Cold War era. For the first time, the mysterious Chinese military plane was spotted in the Bohai Sea – reportedly undergoing testing, The Sun reports. Dubbed the 'Bohai Sea Monster' by aviation analysts, the plane was seen floating on blue waters. Another picture showed the craft partly covered at a naval pier. The vehicle seems to have a boat-shaped fuselage and a joined V-shape tail – a common configuration for WIG craft. It could be used to facilitate rapid coastal transport, resupply missions, or amphibious operations, according to aviation and maritime experts. And experts fear it could be used in any potential military operations against Taiwan in the future. China has been flexing its military muscles to intimidate Taiwan, which has hit back with increased drills of its own. It comes just months after satellite pictures showed China's terrifying new invasion barges lining up to form a floating bridge – amid a spate of war drills involving the army, navy and rocket force. The satellite images show three specialised barges, each with two arms of roadway, lining up next to each other. They connect to form a continuous bridge along which invading ground vehicles such as tanks could trundle ashore. Huge retractable legs anchor the barges to the seabed like stilts. Caspian Sea Monster, a 302ft (92m) Soviet Sea Monster, was a prime example of an ekranoplan. The aquatic beast is perhaps one of the weirdest-looking machines ever built, with four engines stacked in a row on each of its wings. It was bigger than a Boeing 747 and armed to the teeth with missiles, was beyond unique with eight huge jet engines. The hybrid ship-aircraft, officially named Korabl Maket, was built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and weighed 240 tonnes when empty, with a 72ft (22m) height, a 123ft (37m) wingspan, and a top speed of 310mph (500km/h). It was an experimental vehicle developed in the 1960s and intended to attack NATO nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. It carried six anti-ship missiles in launch tubes at the top of its hull, which could travel up to 60 miles (97km) at three times the speed of light. The machine first entered service in 1966 and was continuously tested by the Soviet navy, until it crashed in the Caspian Sea in 1980. It was decommissioned when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s and lay dormant for more than three decades at Kaspiysk naval base, about 62 miles (100km) up the coast from Derbent. A second Sea Monster was designed for rescue and supply missions and was nearly completed by the early 1990s – but the project was scrapped when the Soviet Union collapsed, at the same time the existing ekranoplan was withdrawn from service. The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Pentagon's right arm, is building a ground-effect vehicle (GEV) expected to take to the skies from 2027. Called the Liberty Lifter, the aircraft will be responsible for the transportation of war logistics on a mass scale. The futuristic plane will be able to transport heavy and bulky equipment way quicker than existing cargo aircraft and ships while covering greater distances. As an ekranoplan, it will fly low over the ocean surface while fighting a wide range of weather conditions. It will also be able to fly at high altitudes up to 10,000 feet (3,050m) for short but frequent periods. Similar to a hovercraft, it will be able to glide over water on a cushion of air, allowing it to be quicker and more efficient. And its mass size will allow it to stay stable while carrying tonnes of goods. The DARPA said in a statement: 'The Liberty Lifter program is currently designing and will build, float, and fly an affordable and innovative seaplane that can potentially transform fast logistics missions for the DOD and commerce.' In addition to operating over water, the Liberty Lifter will also be able to cruise over any relatively flat surface, including rivers, deserts – and even snow fields.
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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.
AllAfrica
08-07-2025
- Science
- AllAfrica
China's sea-skimming 'monster' surfaces with stealth
China's 'Bohai Sea Monster' just surfaced – an experimental sea-skimming aircraft that blurs the line between ship and plane, promising stealthy speed but raising strategic questions. This month, The War Zone (TWZ) reported that the first full image of China's experimental wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft, unofficially dubbed the 'Bohai Sea Monster,' surfaced this week, providing unprecedented insight into its design and potential applications. Initially observed in obscured imagery on a Bohai Sea pier, the aircraft exhibits characteristics reminiscent of the AG600 amphibious flying boat and the US Liberty Lifter, both designed for high-speed, low-altitude transport across littoral zones. Equipped with a joined v-tail, wingtip sponsons, amidships floats, composite structure, and a stepped hull, the WIG's configuration favors cargo delivery and personnel recovery while minimizing radar exposure and vulnerability to naval threats. Propulsion remains uncertain; while jet-engine exhausts are suggested, visual inconsistencies raise the possibility of turboprop or hybrid-electric systems. The aircraft's potential roles span logistics, search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and contested combat zone recovery missions, particularly within China's immediate maritime vicinity. Given China's geographic advantage and increasing focus on maritime power projection, this platform may serve as either a technology demonstrator or precursor to scaled production. Analysts expect further imagery and technical data to emerge, enhancing clarity on China's ambitions in leveraging ground-effect technologies for strategic mobility and survivability in near-sea operations. The main tactical advantage of WIG craft is that they are designed to fly just above the water's surface, allowing them to be much faster and more efficient than ships while staying below the radar horizon. However, Anil Chopra notes in a July 2022 article for the Center of Air Power Studies (CAPS) that WIG aircraft face notable limitations, including maneuverability constraints in congested environments, susceptibility to obstacle interference and vulnerability under severe weather conditions. Chopra adds that while advantageous in low-altitude flight for radar evasion, their reliance on stable sea states – especially during amphibious operations – may impair mission continuity. He further explains that despite improved endurance and payload over vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems, WIG platforms require extensive infrastructure, such as large hangars, and offer limited altitude flexibility for tactical repositioning. Chopra notes that adverse conditions may necessitate a diversion to higher altitudes, which reduces stealth benefits. He also highlights that radar detection remains feasible at ultra-low altitudes, potentially compromising survivability against integrated air defenses. Production viability may also be in question. As Justin Katz observes in a November 2022 article for Breaking Defense, the Soviet Union built several WIG craft, such as the Lun-class, but failed to produce a design viable for mass production. The implication for China is that despite technological advances, moving from prototype to fleet-scale deployment remains a formidable challenge. At the operational level, China's WIG craft may play critical roles in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and possibly beyond the First Island Chain. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported in April 2023 that a WIG based in Hainan could reach any point in the disputed South China Sea within four hours and transport passengers or cargo between Chinese-controlled islands in the region. SCMP notes that WIGs could be critical assets for a fast transport network between China and its occupied islands in the South China Sea. In a Taiwan Strait conflict, H.I. Sutton notes in a June 2025 Naval News article, China's new WIG would be particularly suited for amphibious landing operations. The author points out that some Soviet designs were intended to deliver troops and armored vehicles directly onto enemy beaches. Supporting this notion, Walker Mills and other writers in a September 2020 Proceedings article describe how a fleet of 10 Soviet Lun-class WIGs could cross the Baltic Sea with minimal radar signature in just 12 minutes and land 5,000 troops without warning. However, the Taiwan Strait presents environmental challenges that could limit WIG use during an invasion. In a November 2024 report for the US Naval War College, Andrew Erickson and other authors note that China faces numerous obstacles in executing an amphibious assault across the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan Strait presents environmental challenges that could limit WIG use during an invasion They point out that the strait's 130-kilometer-wide waters are prone to rough sea states, limiting viable landing days to about 10 per month during favorable seasons. They add that the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) amphibious sealift capability is insufficient to sustain a large-scale, multi-wave landing force. Moreover, they state that Taiwan's coastal topography – characterized by cliffs, narrow beaches and urban sprawl – further constrains viable landing zones. They also mention that Taiwan's precision strike capabilities, layered coastal defenses and early warning systems would likely disrupt cross-strait logistics and troop buildup. Beyond transport roles, China may consider constructing a combat variant of its WIG. Michael Knickerbocker notes in a March 2022 article for the Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) that wing-in-ground maritime attack craft (WMACs) offer disruptive tactical advantages by exploiting radar limitations with low-elevation, sea-skimming profiles and unpredictable flight patterns. Knickerbocker explains that WMACs – capable of exceeding 250 knots within surface ducting zones – can evade radar filters by mimicking false tracks, stress-testing watch stander training and radar logic. Their small crew requirements, short launch distances, and integration of countermeasures enhance survivability while executing off-axis anti-ship missile strikes. H.I. Sutton illustrates Knickerbocker's ideas in an August 2020 article, noting that the Soviet Lun-class WIG was built to attack US Navy warships in a coastal defense role, operating as a missile boat capable of covering a much larger area. Sutton adds that a three-ship formation of Lun-class WIGs could close in to within 35 kilometers of a target vessel—nearly point-blank range for their Moskit supersonic anti-ship missiles, leaving minimal reaction time for defenses. He notes that a single Moskit missile has a range of 96 kilometers, and three Lun-class WIGs could collectively fire 18 such missiles at Mach 3. Yet Sutton points out that the Lun-class WIG was vastly inferior to the Tu-22 bomber in maritime strike roles, rendering it a costly and limited alternative to conventional airpower. Similarly, China now fields the KD-21 air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), which can be deployed from H-6K strategic bombers, possibly rendering a future combat WIG redundant. Whether it becomes a game-changer or an expensive curiosity, China's sea-skimming 'monster' is making waves, above and below the radar.
