Chinese Ekranoplan
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Chinese Ekranoplan
https://theaviationist.com/2026/05/2...er-ekranoplan/
China’s ‘Bohai Sea Monster’ Ekranoplan Emerges in Clearest Images Yet
New images of the Chinese ekranoplan show the presence of underwing weapons pylons, suggesting a strike role in addition to rapid support and resupply for amphibious operations in the South China Sea.
China’s Ekranoplan, the ground effect vehicle that first broke cover in July 2025, has come into full view in new clearer images on Chinese social media, taken at an unspecified seaport. Shared on X by leading Chinese military aviation analyst Andreas Rupprecht, the images shows the aircraft, visibly smaller in size than previously observed, stationary in the water and later being lifted off the water by a crane.
The aircraft was also originally dubbed the “Bohai Sea Monster,” from the name of the location where the aircraft was first photographed in the northwestern part of the Yellow Sea. We can now clearly see the four top-mounted turboprop engines have three-blade propellers, while two hardpoints are visible under the starboard (right-side) wing.
There could also be two more on the port-side wing as well for symmetrical purposes. However these are not visible in the photograph, which captures the aircraft from its left.
Rupprecht said in his post: “New pictures of the new GEV, interestingly it has apparently 4 underwing hardpoints (of which two of them on the left side has been fitted with pylons) for presumably antiship munitions or torpedoes. Also, it appears to be much smaller in size than previously expected.”
What the new images show
At this stage it is far from being known whether the aircraft will be acquired by the PLA Navy, since its existing warship, aircraft carrier, land, ship, underwater, air-launched missilery, and fighter-bombers can comfortably sustain both a prolonged and short, sharp war in the western Pacific. It nevertheless joins a long line of new, possibly experimental, aircraft that Beijing has produced off late, in a growing display of its aerospace technological prowess.
In the July 2025 picture, the aircraft, whose designation remains unknown, appeared to be moving on the water. The port entry door behind the cockpit was visibly open, and we could also see a square-shaped dish above the cockpit and antenna blades on the horizontal stabilizer mounted on top of the V-tail.
The dish can now be clearly seen in the new images, surrounded by six slanted blades. These are usually related to High/Very/Ultra Frequency (HF, VHF and UHF) communications.
In the image showing the aircraft being picked up by crane, we can see the extended landing gear, suggesting the aircraft might also be amphibian and able to operate from land bases. More images and visuals of the aircraft, possibly in flight, can shed more light on this aspect.
A known Chinese flying boat is the civilian AG600, which has now been adopted in a firefighter role. The aircraft also has a massive market within China, where local governments along the coast can use it for search and rescue, passenger ferry, while also being commandeered by the PLA for resupply in the event of a war.
Coming back to the Bohai Sea Monster, one observer in the comment thread under Rupprecht’s post believes this is only a technology demonstrator aircraft. The actual aircraft could be as large as the new Y-15 turboprop medium tactical lift aircraft, and will be powered by the same four WJ-10/AEP500 turboprop engines.
The powerplants on the final aircraft could however be larger to support the new aircraft’s larger size. A larger number of engines also can’t be excluded……
New images of the Chinese ekranoplan show the presence of underwing weapons pylons, suggesting a strike role in addition to rapid support and resupply for amphibious operations in the South China Sea.
China’s Ekranoplan, the ground effect vehicle that first broke cover in July 2025, has come into full view in new clearer images on Chinese social media, taken at an unspecified seaport. Shared on X by leading Chinese military aviation analyst Andreas Rupprecht, the images shows the aircraft, visibly smaller in size than previously observed, stationary in the water and later being lifted off the water by a crane.
The aircraft was also originally dubbed the “Bohai Sea Monster,” from the name of the location where the aircraft was first photographed in the northwestern part of the Yellow Sea. We can now clearly see the four top-mounted turboprop engines have three-blade propellers, while two hardpoints are visible under the starboard (right-side) wing.
There could also be two more on the port-side wing as well for symmetrical purposes. However these are not visible in the photograph, which captures the aircraft from its left.
Rupprecht said in his post: “New pictures of the new GEV, interestingly it has apparently 4 underwing hardpoints (of which two of them on the left side has been fitted with pylons) for presumably antiship munitions or torpedoes. Also, it appears to be much smaller in size than previously expected.”
What the new images show
At this stage it is far from being known whether the aircraft will be acquired by the PLA Navy, since its existing warship, aircraft carrier, land, ship, underwater, air-launched missilery, and fighter-bombers can comfortably sustain both a prolonged and short, sharp war in the western Pacific. It nevertheless joins a long line of new, possibly experimental, aircraft that Beijing has produced off late, in a growing display of its aerospace technological prowess.
In the July 2025 picture, the aircraft, whose designation remains unknown, appeared to be moving on the water. The port entry door behind the cockpit was visibly open, and we could also see a square-shaped dish above the cockpit and antenna blades on the horizontal stabilizer mounted on top of the V-tail.
The dish can now be clearly seen in the new images, surrounded by six slanted blades. These are usually related to High/Very/Ultra Frequency (HF, VHF and UHF) communications.
In the image showing the aircraft being picked up by crane, we can see the extended landing gear, suggesting the aircraft might also be amphibian and able to operate from land bases. More images and visuals of the aircraft, possibly in flight, can shed more light on this aspect.
A known Chinese flying boat is the civilian AG600, which has now been adopted in a firefighter role. The aircraft also has a massive market within China, where local governments along the coast can use it for search and rescue, passenger ferry, while also being commandeered by the PLA for resupply in the event of a war.
Coming back to the Bohai Sea Monster, one observer in the comment thread under Rupprecht’s post believes this is only a technology demonstrator aircraft. The actual aircraft could be as large as the new Y-15 turboprop medium tactical lift aircraft, and will be powered by the same four WJ-10/AEP500 turboprop engines.
The powerplants on the final aircraft could however be larger to support the new aircraft’s larger size. A larger number of engines also can’t be excluded……
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: near an aeroplane
Interesting images. Are we sure that those are turboprop engines? The three-bladed prop and cowling configuration are reminiscent of a four- or six-banger piston engine if you ask me. It could be the exhaust for that sticking out the side of the cowling. Perhaps a partially liquid cooled engine would account for the large inlet and exhaust duct on top and rear end, or a turbo-charged one with a large intercooler.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: There and here
Rapid troop insertion, gear delivery if Mil and perhaps a nice way for tourists to traverse coastal areas or large lakes at a speed grater than any boat, but at a cost much lower than an aircraft.
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Brisbane, Australia
I seem to recall that the Soviets built something similar with the objective of being an Aircraft Carrier killer - come in fast under the radar, sink the carrier, exit stage left.
Whether it could have worked back then is dubious (and probably the Soviets worked that out, given that they discontinued the program). With improvements in both defensive and offensive uncrewed systems since the Cold War, it surely a non-starter today in that role.
Perhaps the Chinese have come up with a new idea on how to make it good for something, but I doubt that they will tell us if they have.
Whether it could have worked back then is dubious (and probably the Soviets worked that out, given that they discontinued the program). With improvements in both defensive and offensive uncrewed systems since the Cold War, it surely a non-starter today in that role.
Perhaps the Chinese have come up with a new idea on how to make it good for something, but I doubt that they will tell us if they have.
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From: Wildest Surrey
It was called the Caspian Sea Monster; not too many aircraft carriers on the Caspian Sea.
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: UK
I suppose it could be used in an initial opening surprise attack to secure a beach bridgehead or deployment up an estuary or river rather than using paratroopers and helos.
Or once a position is secure for rapid reinforcement and casevac.
Pilot recovery from the sea?
Looks like a risky assignment for its crew.
Or once a position is secure for rapid reinforcement and casevac.
Pilot recovery from the sea?
Looks like a risky assignment for its crew.
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: The Roman Empire
In the picture where it is being lifted in/out of the water it doesn't look very big (using the small 2 man boat, which isn't that far away, in the foreground as reference).
Therefore limited cargo/troop carrying capability?
Maybe it's a proof of concept development model.
Therefore limited cargo/troop carrying capability?
Maybe it's a proof of concept development model.
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Central UK
Cheaper than an aircraft?
I wonder.
Prodigious fuel consumption at sea level. The Lun had 8 engines - appears to need prodigious amounts of thrust too.
Major problems with maintenance due to salt corrosion and accretions.
Much heaqvier, stronger hull structure to withstand the stresses of operating off water.
And it still flies so will need to be certificated as an aircraft.
Maybe a military use for ir but I can't visualise a civil one.
I wonder.
Prodigious fuel consumption at sea level. The Lun had 8 engines - appears to need prodigious amounts of thrust too.
Major problems with maintenance due to salt corrosion and accretions.
Much heaqvier, stronger hull structure to withstand the stresses of operating off water.
And it still flies so will need to be certificated as an aircraft.
Maybe a military use for ir but I can't visualise a civil one.
