A ground effect craft having a ground effect wing, a plurality of sponsons, and a control system is disclosed. The ground effect wing may include a fore ground effect wing and an aft ground effect wing. The ground effect wing may generate a stabilizing moment on at least one sponson to stabilize the ground effect craft. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to the body. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to each other. The dynamic coupling may permit the sponsons to move relatively independent of the body and each other, thereby stabilizing the ground effect craft. The ground effect craft may include a stabilizing wing.

Provided herein is a taxiing system for for steering an amphibious aircraft on a body of water. The system has a pair of thrusters that are deployed after landing on the water to taxi the amphibious the aircraft prior to docking and to unloading and are retractable to taxi the amphibious aircraft prior to take-off. Also provided is a docking device to dock the amphibious aircraft to a mooring buoy. In addition provided herein is a system for maneuvering an amphibious aircraft during taxiing and docking on water that integrates the taxiing system with the docking device.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for a remote oceanic environment includes a float system, at least one electric motor, and a seawater battery. The float system allows the UAV to maintain buoyancy on a body of water. The electric motor or motors produce the required lift for the UAV to achieve and maintain flight. The flight includes the UAV landing on the body of water and takeoff from the body of water. The seawater battery directly or indirectly powers the electric motor or motors using seawater from the body of water while the UAV is floating on the body of water.

The structure includes a set of Hydrolift units and axillary devices all built in fuselage. Every Hydrolift unit has its closed loop tunnel with hydrofoils and filled by water; said tunnels work as selfboosters. This proposal suggests to use small hydrofoils which in water flow provide big lift forces independently from planes velocity. The Aircraft is free from traditional airwings and their regular (big) difficulties. The Hydrolift units can be used for any cars, trucks, buses, ships preferably combining them with Hydrodynamic closed loop turboset-selfboosters, as their powerful and fuel-exhaust-free thrust-motors.

An aircraft float includes a float body configured to provide buoyancy to an aircraft, and a lower portion of the float body is configured to contact water. The lower portion of the float body includes a turbulator.

An aircraft float includes a float body configured to provide buoyancy to an aircraft, and a lower portion of the float body is configured to contact water. The lower portion of the float body includes a turbulator.

Disclosed is a system for an amphibious aircraft where floats on each side of the aircraft include aerodynamic structures. The structures are configured to compensate for aerodynamic imbalances (e.g., in yaw and pitch) created by the incorporation of the floats onto the aircraft.

A modular wing in ground effect vehicle has a fuselage which receives interchangeable cockpit and component modules and may accept a variety of snap-on wing styles and control surfaces for various flying conditions and pilot skill levels. When depleted or due for repairs, modules containing stored energy components or machinery subject to wear or periodic maintenance may be exchanged for fresh units so that a vehicle requiring such an exchange may be returned to service quickly and conveniently.

A method for establishing a situational awareness of a surface of a body of water is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes deploying a plurality of autonomous buoys under or on the surface of the body of water; and scattering the plurality of autonomous buoys to form a mesh communication network.

A method for establishing a situational awareness of a surface of a body of water is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes deploying a plurality of autonomous buoys under or on the surface of the body of water; and scattering the plurality of autonomous buoys to form a mesh communication network.