A wing-in-ground-effect aircraft is under development at Shanghai based-Tongji University, according to Chinese media. With a design payload of 4,000kg (8,800lb), top speed of 162kt (300km/h) and maximum altitude of 5m (16ft), the aircraft is claimed to consume half to two-thirds of the fuel of an "ordinary aircraft" while carrying "more weight" and being up to six times faster than an ocean-going ship. The report says further development could lead to a 50-seat prototype by 2013, with future versions able to carry up to 400,000kg by 2017.
Source: Flight International
