Chinese ambitions in the South and East China seas, as well as Taiwan, make development of craft like this ekranoplan and the AG600 flying boat an absolute necessity.
The first photos of China’s newest ekranoplan have emerged online. Dubbed the “Bohai Sea Monster,” the four-engine wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft was spotted on a pier in the Bohai Sea, off the Yellow Sea between China and Korea.
What the Heck Is an “Ekranoplan?”
Seaplanes have been around for nearly as long as their land-based counterparts. Aircraft like the American Consolidated PBY Catalina and the Japanese Kawanishi H8K flying boats were instrumental in reconnaissance, search and rescue (ISR) and logistical operations throughout the Second World War. The Catalina was also used as a patrol bomber and anti-submarine craft, while the Kawanishi could carry bombs; the Japanese craft was central to Japan’s plan to raid Pearl Harbor a second time in March 1942, although this plan was ultimately aborted.
Ekranoplans are similar to seaplanes, but are more specialized. They are designed to skim the surface, typically operating three to 15 feet above the water. This low altitude allows them to exploit the “ground effect,” where air trapped between the wings and the surface reduces drag and increases lift. Altitude beyond 30 feet or so dramatically reduces stability, as the ground effect is lost.
Ekranoplans are less versatile than seaplanes, but offer a high-speed option for operation in relatively calm waters. The Soviet Union pioneered ekranoplans for logistical purposes on the Caspian Sea, though a few were armed with missiles. A viable ekranoplan would be valuable for fast logistical support for island garrisons or amphibious operations. Its speed and low altitude also allow for a certain amount of stealth, since it would operate under enemy air search radars. Because it does not actually operate inside the water, it would likewise be able to evade sea mines and submarines. Ekranoplans and seaplanes have another advantage, in that they are not tied to land-based runways—so they can access areas denied to traditional aircraft.
The new Chinese model appears to have a flying boat-style hull with twin vertical stabilizers topped by a broad T-wing. The outrigger-style wing sponsons aid stability and what appear to be four jet engines adorn the high-mounted wing’s topside. The craft may be intended to complement the new Chinese AVIC AG600 flying boat, a true seaplane.
America Is Developing Its Own “Liberty Lifter” Ekranoplan
China is not the only country interested in ekranoplan development. The United States is currently developing a hybrid seaplane-ekranoplan called the “Liberty Lifter.” This craft will have the ground effect capability of an ekranoplan, but also be capable of actual flight, up to approximately 10,000 feet. While a true ekranoplan like the Bohai Sea Monster, will be limited to littoral waters with less than eight-foot waves, the Liberty Lifter, with its eight turboprop engines, would have the ability to fly over rougher waters if necessary. The craft will also reportedly be able to unload directly onto a beach, where the Bohai Sea Monster appears to not have that capability.
Chinese ambitions in the South and East China Seas, as well as Taiwan, make development of craft like this ekranoplan and the AG600 flying boat an absolute necessity. High-speed logistical support in a maritime environment provides far more operational flexibility than slower surface craft. Of course, beaching capability—which it appears the Bohai Sea Monster lacks—would make the ekranoplan more versatile, but the craft will still provide value and increase mobility within its operational parameters.
The US Navy and Marine Corps’ “Pivot to Asia” is calculated to address the rising Chinese threat in the Southwest Pacific and Eastern Indian Oceans. This threat is especially acute in the South and East China Seas and the Taiwan Strait, where the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will be operating right on its base of supply. Fast Chinese logistical support with a measure of stealth broadens the PLAN’s options, making them more agile in the face of potential American and British interdiction efforts. The development of this new ekranoplan shows that China wants to exploit that advantage.
About the Author: William Lawson
William Lawson is a military historian focusing on World War II and 20th century conflicts and the American Civil War. His specialty is operational level warfare, especially American amphibious doctrine. He writes on history, politics, and firearms for multiple publications and historical journals. He serves on the editorial advisory board for the Saber & Scroll Journal and Military History Chronicles and is a member of the Society for Military History and the American Historical Association. Lawson is based in Virginia.
Image: Shutterstock / Karasev Viktor.
