Ground Effect Vehicles

Ground Effect Vehicles

Ground effect vehicles (GEVs) are a type of transportation that utilizes the aerodynamic phenomenon known as ground effect to achieve lift and reduce drag. Ground effect occurs when a vehicle is in close proximity to the ground, creating a cushion of high-pressure air between the vehicle and the ground. This cushion reduces the amount of drag on the vehicle, allowing it to achieve higher speeds and greater fuel efficiency. GEVs come in a variety of forms, including airplanes, hovercraft, and boats. Airplane GEVs, also known as wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) vehicles, use the ground effect to achieve lift and fly at low altitudes over water or flat terrain. Hovercraft GEVs use fans to create a cushion of air between the vehicle and the ground, allowing it to travel over water, ice, or land. Boat GEVs, also known as hydrofoils, use underwater wings to lift the boat out of the water and reduce drag, allowing it to travel faster and more efficiently. GEVs have several advantages over traditional modes of transportation. They are faster and more fuel-efficient than boats, and can travel over rough terrain that would be impassable for traditional vehicles. They are also quieter and produce less wake, making them ideal for use in sensitive ecological areas. However, GEVs also have some disadvantages. They require a large amount of power to maintain their cushion of air or water, making them less efficient at low speeds. They also require specialized infrastructure, such as landing strips or ports, which can be expensive to build and maintain. Overall, ground effect vehicles represent an innovative and promising mode of transportation that has the potential to revolutionize the way we travel over land, water, and air.

aerodynamics, lift, drag, fuel efficiency, infrastructure

— Eric Davis

CITATION : "Eric Davis. 'Ground Effect Vehicles.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=334357 (Accessed on April 29, 2025)"