Watch flying drone SHIP with wings that skim ocean to fly 10x faster than a boat but cost a fraction of a plane journey
THIS is the moment a new flying drone ship skims across the ocean to fly 10 times faster than a boat.
Aptly named the Flying Ship Company, they believe that this will revolutionise sea transport – and it’ll cost a fraction of a plane journey to use.
Futuristic footage shows the sleek design effortlessly skimming across the ocean before taking off a few feet in the air, built with dynamic wings and hover engines.
The drone zips across the waters as swiftly as it enters them again, in a design that creators believe will change the way that goods are transported by sea.
A Flying Ship Company representative said: “Our flying ship is designed primarily for cargo transportation.
“It’s perfect for shipping cargo from one island to another, making inter-island trade much more efficient.
“In terms of cost, [the Flying Ship] offers unlimited coastal delivery points and reduces delivery costs to a quarter of what traditional aircraft would charge.
“This makes it a highly economical and efficient solution for cargo transportation.
According to that rep, the company’s new model is battery-operated and can carry up to 22kg of cargo.
It has a 10-ft wingspan and a flying range of 80km.
The model is also thought to be 10 times faster than a boat.
The average shipping boat travels approximately between speeds of 19.6 to 27 miles per hour.
According to their website, the Flying Ship Company uses drag produced by the wingtips ower induced drag, leading to increased speed and lift for the aircraft.
To produce enough lift to get the ship off the ground, the vessel flies close enough to the ground to create an air cushion.
This is generated by a downwash from the wing, which increases lift.
In a press release, the firm says it has 70 flights under its belt, which is assumed to be from previous models of the ship.
The new model was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025.
The CEO of the company, Bill Peterson, explained that the firm aims to release larger models in the future.
He said: “Our craft operates just above the surface.
“With five different sized crafts capable of hauling from 50 to 6,000 pounds at ranges of 50 to 2,300 miles, Flying Ships are logistics-focused maritime aircraft that operate in ground effect and are able to beach anywhere along the coast, unlocking enormous logistical potential.”
The rep went on to say that the model is equipped with “advanced sensors and high-capacity batteries.”
They explained that now that the new model has been released at CES, “we have two more models scheduled to be released this year.
“Looking ahead, in 2025, we’ll introduce another model, and next year, we’ll roll out the 3000-series.
“Our biggest model, the 2020, is also in development and will be released soon.”