Wing-in-ground effect vehicles (WIGs) are also
referred to as wing-in-surface effect ships (WISES), aerodynamic ground effect craft
(AGEC), ram-wing surface effect boats, ram-wing vehicles, air cushion vehicles,
hoverplanes, wingships, flying boats and in Russia they are called ekranoplanes.
Wing-in-ground effect vehicles fly close to the surface, usually over water, but some
designs are amphibious. Basically a wing-in-ground effect vehicle could be considered to
be any craft that is designed to take advantage of the reduced drag and increased lift of
ground effect.
SKAT on ice.
WIG vehicles and hovercraft are both members of the
family of ground effect vehicles (GEV). A WIG vehicle rides on a dynamic air
cushion, created by its own forward movement, and generates lift by forward speed. A
hovercraft has fans that continuously blow up a static air cushion. Once a WIG
vehicle goes beyond the maximum ground effect height, it is considered an aircraft.
It is expected that WIGs will fill a niche between
expensive aircraft and slow ships. WIGs are being considered for operations involving
inter-island passenger transport, water-taxi operations, cargo transport for fresh
produce, seafood, general perishables and high value exports, charter service for fishing,
tourist and other expeditions or special events, environmental monitoring, ship servicing,
buoy and signal repair, oil rig servicing, crew hauling and wildlife rescue. Military
applications include search and rescue, sealift, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious
assault and coastal defense.
WIG vehicles can operate over, and take off from,
water (large lakes, river deltas, sheltered coastal areas, archipelagos, sheltered seas)
and flat surfaces of the earth such as shallows and wetlands, ice and snow. Therefore, no
matter where you go in a WIG vehicle, the landing area is always directly below you.
Additionally, it is estimated that WIG speeds will be 2-7 times higher than ships and
operating costs 1/3-1/5 that of conventional airlines i.e. no need for a pressurized
cabin, more fuel efficient etc.
Advantages for military applications include low radar and low infrared signatures, difficult to detect on satellites, fast troop deployment and the ability to operate from land or sea. WIGs do not require complex infrastructures; just a smooth beach or jetty. WIGs will be able to carry passengers or cargo to places where neither ships or planes have gone before.