A new generation of unmanned ground-effect cargo vehicles is preparing to launch operations in contested and remote maritime areas, marking a strategic shift in how critical goods are delivered over water. Designed to fly just above the ocean surface, these sea gliders operate using ground-effect principles—gaining lift and reducing drag by flying a few meters above water—allowing for fuel efficiency, stealth, and autonomous delivery in zones where conventional logistics may struggle.
One such platform, with a 13-foot wingspan, is engineered from aerospace-grade composites and features autonomous navigation systems. It can transport between 45 to 100 pounds of cargo over distances of up to 120 miles. The vehicle avoids traditional infrastructure entirely—taking off and landing on water—and leverages satellite connectivity for real-time communication and control. Its low-altitude flight path minimizes radar detection while maintaining speed and operational reliability.
A second, larger model is in development with significantly expanded capabilities. With a planned wingspan of 50 feet and a two-ton payload capacity, this platform is designed to serve inter-island and regional logistics networks, especially in areas with limited or nonexistent infrastructure. Its projected range of 1,500 miles and autonomous, water-based operation positions it as a middle ground between slow sea freight and costly air cargo.
These ground-effect vehicles (GEVs) draw inspiration from Cold War-era designs that combined aircraft-like speed with marine-level access. Unlike hovercraft, which float on pressurized air, GEVs rely on aerodynamic lift created by forward motion, offering improved fuel economy and performance near water surfaces. They maintain low flight altitudes, offering both speed and stealth—attributes especially valuable in sensitive or contested maritime environments.
Early development of the current models was grassroots in nature, with engineers conducting tests using limited resources and repurposed equipment. Since then, the team has scaled operations, built out manufacturing facilities, and begun preparing for commercial and defense-related deployments. The use of maritime rather than aviation regulatory pathways further accelerates their route to market, bypassing some of the bottlenecks faced by traditional aircraft.
Designed for a variety of missions—ranging from urgent medical deliveries and humanitarian relief to logistics support in high-risk or infrastructure-poor regions—these vehicles represent a new frontier in unmanned logistics. With broader applications anticipated in both commercial and government sectors, these innovations promise to fill a critical gap between speed, cost, and access.sealo
