Ekranoplans are aircraft that can only fly a few feet above the sea surface and were built by Russia more than 60 years ago as rocket launch platforms and carry cargo quickly. After the Soviet Union stopped building ekranoplans, the prototype aircraft that were developed were left obsolete by Russia.
But now China seems to have begun developing their own ekranoplan. The aircraft, nicknamed the Bohai Sea Monster, is smaller in size compared to the Soviet Lun-class ekranoplans that received the nickname the Caspian Sea Monster.
Two leaked images show this mysterious Chinese ekranoplan equipped with four engines placed on the wings and also has a tail in a V-configuration. Initially there was speculation that it was using jet engines but the second image showed a cone at the front for a propeller. Pr
China has already successfully developed the AVIC AG600 flying amphibious aircraft in 2017 which is for use in maritime patrol, rescue missions, surveillance and firefighting. It is still unknown what the reason for the Bohai Sea Monster was developed.
Besides China, the United States is also interested in developing an ekranoplan under the Liberty Lifter Project. There are similarities between the Liberty Lifter except that in the American version, the engine is placed under the wing.