As the world becomes more technologically advanced, new mobility solutions are being produced everyday to increase efficiency. These advancements aim to transform how people and goods move, providing sustainable and faster alternatives to traditional methods. One such solution is the new AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft. The new AirFish 8, seating 10 passengers including a crew, is preparing for certification and entry into market by 2025.
WIG: A combination of ships and airplanes?
While innovative automobile solutions get the most airtime, specifically solutions which are leading the way for a decarbonized future, the maritime and aircraft industry is also working on futuristic designs. The AF 8 is a compact WIG craft designed for efficiency, utilizing ground effect technology. It requires only 1-2 crew members and can carry 8-9 passengers. Powered by dual V8 automotive engines running on gasoline, it offers a balance of speed and practicality. Certified under the International Maritime Organization’s WIG guidelines, the AirFish sets a new standard for innovative maritime transport solutions.
What makes this WIG craft so unique is the fact that it capitalizes on aerodynamic forces and air pressure generated between itself and a water surface to reduce induced drag and achieve a more fuel efficient, high travel speed. In addition, it is designed to take off and land on water which eliminates the need for certain infrastructure such as an airfield to make it a much more efficient maritime transport system and the delivery of parapublic and logistics services with the potential for military applications in coastline waters.
Unique specifications of the WIG Airfish 8
The Airfish 8 has an impressive list of specifications. It boasts a cruising speed of 90 knots and a range of 300 nautical miles (550 km), with a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kg. It is capable of take-off and landing in sea states up to 3 and wind speeds of 15 knots. The craft is available in several configurations, including a troop carrier variant for the Coast Guard or military, options for two modular intermodal containers for logistics, an enlarged door and stretcher capacity for medical evacuation, and an additional fuel bladder to extend the range to 1,000 nautical miles.
The Airfish 8 claims the following advantages: swift, secure, safe, simple, and sustainable. It travels at three times the speed of current marine crafts and possess and increased life-to-drag ratio thanks to its ability to fly close to the surface of water. It’s wing design provides inherent wing stability which eliminates the need for a complex flight control system. It requires minimum maintenance and infrastructure as well as assuring a smooth and comfortable ride.
New opportunities on the horizon for the WIG Airfish 8
ST Engineering announced that its joint venture, ST Engineering AirX, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Eurasia Mobility Solutions for an order of up to 10 AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) crafts, with options for 10 additional units. Under the agreement, ST Engineering AirX will deliver the customized 10-seater AirFish 8 progressively from 2025 to support Turkey’s tourism and private transport sectors.
Kubilay Ilgin, founder of Eurasia Mobility Solutions, said, “We are happy to introduce an innovative transportation model using a brand-new technology to Turkey, a country surrounded by the sea on three sides. As an alternative mode of transportation, AirFish 8 offers a safe, sustainable and faster solution to conveniently reach places without any port or runway. Faster than existing air and marine travel options, this new technology will change the rules of marine transportation and create new trends in Turkey.”
Jeffrey Lam, President of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering. added: “We are excited to be working with Eurasia Mobility Solutions to introduce our new WIG platform which has the potential to reinvent marine transportation for Turkey’s maritime sector.”
