Unidentified Jet-Powered Ekranoplan Spotted in China

A large, four-engine jet ekranoplan, unofficially dubbed the ‘Bohai Sea Monster,’ has been spotted in China, according to a report by Naval News.

Photos posted online show the aircraft with four large jet engines mounted above the wing and angled slightly downward.

It features a short, broad wing, a high T-tail with twin vertical stabilizers, and a catamaran-style fuselage.

The configuration suggests the aircraft belongs to the class of ekranoplans — ground-effect vehicles designed to fly just a few meters above the surface of water.

Although no official information has been released, the gray paint scheme and other visual details point to a potential military application.

Experts believe the ekranoplan could be used to rapidly transport troops or equipment along coastlines, particularly within the first island chain.

Such a platform could offer the advantage of reduced radar visibility and evasion of U.S. anti-ship defense systems.

China has expanded its development of amphibious aircraft in recent years, including the AVIC AG600 Kunlong seaplane, which is designed for maritime rescue and firefighting operations. AG600 is the largest amphibious aircraft currently in production.

Previously, Militarnyi reported that China had launched the Blue Whale research vessel, capable of operating unmanned underwater.