China today confirmed it has developed a "Wing In Ground" (WIG) sea-skimming aircraft, state media reports.
According to Reuters, the Chinese version of the Caspian Sea Monster is capable of flying at 300km/h (180mph) at a mere half metre above the surface while carrying four tonnes of cargo. It relys on the WIG effect effect whereby, put simply, a wing travelling close to the ground is provided with extra lift by the "cushion" of air compressed under it - thus enabling a combination of greater aircraft weight for less power and/or enhanced fuel economy.
Others figure that the vessel could not be used on the open-sea.
I'm no engineer but I suspect the critics are right. Russia didn't get much from their idea and China probably won't either.
But even if this WIG vessel is completely inappropriate for an invasion, that doesn't settle much. The question is, did the Chinese embark on this to prepare to invade Taiwan? It doesn't matter if it was a stupid idea if this was the intent. The effort alone shows what China wants.
Efforts to move troops quickly across the strait make perfect sense for China. So rather than a technical discussion of this WIG concept, I'd rather know what the Chinese intended for this project. Capabilities will follow intent. No matter how many false routes are tried.
Perhaps this effort will pan out. Get enough of these efforts to work and you build the capacity to invade.
