Is it a Plane? Is it a Ship? It’s a Flying Ship

And It Wants to Revolutionize Coastal Cargo

Echoing the Soviet “Caspian Sea Monster,” a sleek craft zips over a Caribbean bay at 115 miles per hour, delivering groceries to an island for a fraction of today’s $10–$30/gallon milk prices. It lands on any beach – no port needed – powered by silent electric motors. This is the Flying Ship, a Wing-in-Ground (WIG) vessel revolutionizing coastal logistics. In the above CES Unveiled interview, CEO Bill Peterson unveils this game-changer.

Riding an Air Cushion #

Unlike planes or ships, Flying Ships skim 1–5 meters above water, trapping a cushion of air under their wings. It’s like a surfer riding a wave’s energy, boosting lift by 50% and cutting drag by 30% compared to planes. The company plans five size variants, with the first — a 10-foot wingspan prototype—in final testing, carrying 50 pounds over 50 miles using all-electric motors. Hybrid-electric or combustion designs are planned for longer ranges. Pilotless, they navigate like self-driving drones with off-the-shelf GPS and AI.

Ten Times Faster, Far Cheaper #

Flying Ships are “10 times faster than anything on the ocean,” hitting up to 150 MPH versus cargo ships’ 12 MPH. They target time-sensitive goods—vaccines, e-commerce packages, military gear—costing 75% less than air freight. A 2,700 kg delivery from Florida to Trinidad could take 13 hours for $2,984, versus $12,000 by air or 8 days by sea. Their beaching capability skips ports, serving remote coasts and rivers.

In a follow-up email, Peterson listed the advantages of their WIG approach over conventional water- and air-based methods like drones.

1. Travel Further and Carry More – The aforementioned efficiency from riding on a cushion of air means Flying Ships can carry heavier loads over longer distances than most drones without needing as much energy.
2. No Runways or Launch Equipment Needed – Unlike drones, which might need a runway or special equipment to launch and land, Flying Ships can take off and land right from a beach, boat, or riverbank. They don’t need airports, roads, or special facilities.
3. Stay Under the Radar—Literally – Flying Ships travel very low over the water, making them much harder to see or detect. This is especially helpful when doing things quietly is important, like during security missions or delivering aid in difficult conditions.
4. One Vehicle, Many Uses – Flying Ships are built to be flexible. You can easily swap out their equipment to use them for deliveries, emergency medical transport, search-and-rescue, communications, or surveillance. With most drones, you’d need a different model for each job.
5. Lower Cost, Easier to Build – They’re made from lightweight, affordable materials and are designed to be produced quickly and in larger numbers. Drones with similar abilities are usually much more expensive and complicated to operate.
6. Fewer Airspace Restrictions – Since they fly low over water instead of up in the sky, Flying Ships avoid the strict flight rules that many drones face, making them easier to use in a variety of settings, especially around coastlines or remote areas.

Navigating Challenges #

WIG tech, like Soviet ekranoplans, struggled with rough seas. Flying Ships’ larger designs handle 90% of sea states (waves up to 2 meters), but storms pose risks. Maritime regulations and scaling to a company-claimed $200 million backlog remain hurdles, with competitors like REGENT Craft in the race. However, REGENT’s passenger-focused seagliders validate WIG technology’s reliability, supporting Flying Ship’s cargo mission without direct competition. 

Maritime regulations pose significant challenges, as WIGs like Flying Ships must comply with the IMO’s WIG-specific guidelines and MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) framework for uncrewed vessels, alongside US Coast Guard standards for coastal safety and navigation. 

Certification delays, varying rules across regions like Greece and Alaska, and uncrewed requirements (e.g., cybersecurity, remote monitoring) could slow deployments. Flying Ship mitigates these by leveraging its maritime vessel classification, which simplifies aviation rules, and its electric propulsion, which aligns with environmental standards. Ongoing prototype tests and partnerships, such as with Greek operators, aim to meet IMO and regional certifications by 2026, building regulatory trust. Yet, prototype tests fuel optimism.

Why WIGs Could Succeed Now #

Unlike 1999, when high costs, rough seas, and unproven tech stalled WIGs, today’s advancements enable success. Electric motors cut fuel costs, while AI-driven autonomy and off-the-shelf navigation enable uncrewed operation, slashing operating expenses. Modern composites resist corrosion, easing maintenance, and clearer maritime regulations simplify certifications. Larger designs handle most sea conditions, and validated tests build trust absent in earlier efforts.

This is bolstered by some $200 million in customer interest. In Greece, a 2022 partnership eyes island deliveries by 2026. In Alaska, an MOU with Minto Development Corporation explores riverine freight. A 2024 US Air Force SBIR contract signals military use, with Flying Ship claiming 95% cost savings over landing craft.

The Voyage Ahead – A Coastal Cargo Revolution?

The above video captures a Flying Ship prototype skimming a serene lake, its wings gliding smoothly over water. Could these above-the-water craft transform logistics for islands, rivers, and warzones by 2030? If they can successfully navigate the technical, regulatory, and financial hurdles that have grounded similar concepts in the past, their “flying ships” could indeed become a common sight skimming coastlines worldwide, delivering goods faster and greener than ever before. It’s a journey worth watching.

Author Ken Pyle, Managing Editor

View all posts by Ken Pyle, Managing Editor | Website