Page 21 - Theory and Design of Air Cushion Craft

6 Introduction to hovercraft

cushion space under the wing and produce static lift. This gives a PARWIG the abil-
ity to hover through static cushion lift alone. Due to the distinct differences for both
hydrodynamics and structural design between PAR/WIG and ACV/SES craft, the
theory and design of PAR/WIG are not discussed further in this book.
Air cushion craft are part of the larger group of high performance vehicles shown
in Fig. 1.1, and may be divided as shown in Fig. 1.8 with respect to their operational
features, applications, flexible skirt system and means of propulsion.

Fig. 1.6 Chinese ram wing craft model 902.

Fig. 1.7 First Chinese power augmented wing in ground effect craft model 750.

Hovercraft Hydrofoil Monohull Catamaran

o n

ACV SES Catamaran SWATH WIG

Fig. 1.8 Classification of hovercraft.