Is China working on a wing-in-ground vehicle? Here’s what we know so far
China may be testing a wing-in-ground vehicle, according to reports that have emerged on social media.
Photographs taken from afar show a mysterious vehicle with a design that suggests it may be some sort of wing-in-ground vehicle, also known as “ekranoplan”, after the first designs of this type produced in the Soviet Union.
Ground effect Aircraft or Seaplane ? PS a GE Aircraft concept unveiled at zhuhai last year src 机坪夜话 and 能量机动工作室 /wb pic.twitter.com/uEC0ZbqxOO— Húrin (@Hurin92) June 29, 2025The pictures were reportedly taken in the Bohai Sea, which is the semi-enclosed northwestern section of the Yellow Sea.
Western analysts have scrambled to examine the images and try to deduce the characteristics of this previously unknown flying vehicle. Defense-focused publication The War Zone, for example, speculated about the type of propulsion this craft may be using, and whether the mounts visible on top of the fuselage are jet engines or the receptacles for some sort of propeller.
This revelation takes place amid an armaments race between the United States and China with a view to getting ready for a hypothetical military confrontation in the Indo-Pacific region, a theater of operations in which amphibious capabilities would play a central role.
In April 2025, China certified its new AVIC AG600 Kunlong amphibious aircraft, which is the largest civilian seaplane in terms of takeoff weight. Although ostensibly developed for civilian applications, such as firefighting, the AG600 could also take on military roles in case of a conflict fought over the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean and its island chains.
The US is also working on expanding its amphibious aviation capabilities. In 2024, the Pentagon selected Aurora Flight Sciences to work on the development of a large seaplane aircraft called “Liberty Lifter”.
Another recent proposal to boost the US amphibious capabilities, which so far appears to have been shelved, involved the fitting of C-130 transport aircraft with floats.
The US Department of Defense and the US Marine Corps in particular have also shown interest in the ground-effect vehicle currently being developed by REGENT, a private startup based in Rhode Island. In March 2025, REGENT started sea trials of a full-scale Seaglider demonstrator, a wing-in-ground all-electric vehicle, which could also have military applications.
In a social media post, REGENT founder and CEO, Billy Thalheimer brought attention to the potential uses of the ground-in-wing technology should a conflict between the US and China arise.
If you think China doesn’t understand the game-changing nature of wing-in-ground craft in an all-out naval battle…think again.Speed + range + below radar flight. These will redefine naval warfare.More pictures of their craft hitting the web today. The race is on. pic.twitter.com/cZvygJuEey— Billy Thalheimer (@billythalheimer) July 5, 2025
The post Is China working on a wing-in-ground vehicle? Here’s what we know so far appeared first on AeroTime.
China may be testing a wing-in-ground vehicle, according to reports that have emerged on social media. Photographs taken…
The post Is China working on a wing-in-ground vehicle? Here’s what we know so far appeared first on AeroTime.
