A Plane or a Boat? it's BOTH: £26million FlyShip can carry 100 passengers while soaring at speeds of 155mph

When one form of transport just isn't enough, why not journey to your destination in a vehicle that is part plane, part boat, part hovercraft.

Touted as the 'future of transportation', the FlyShip uses state-of-the-art technology to hover just above the water level and is capable of reaching speeds over 155mph (250km/h).

Although still in the early stages of production, the German engineering team behind the concept vehicle said it is set to revolutionise the way we travel across sea and could even be used to help stop pirates. 

The firm said the futuristic hybrid would be used primarily as a maritime transport vehicle for shifting cargo, but it could also be used as a commercial passenger transport and could even be used as a rapid response vehicle for the coastguard.

As it is capable of transporting maritime cargo at speeds of over 155mph (250km/h), it is faster than using container ships which can typically only reach up to 25 knots (46mph). 

 

According to flight experts at FlyShip, the average cost of an Airbus A318 jet liner, used by British Airways, is about £50 million ($71m illion).

FlyShip can hold 100 passengers, has a cabin space area (pictured) of 1,500 square ft (140 square metres), is about 121ft (37 metres) long and has a wingspan of 131ft (40 metres)

By comparison, the FlyShip FS-100 costs around £26 million ($37 million).

According to designs, the FlyShip can hold 100 passengers, has a cabin space area of 1,500 square ft (140 square metres), is about 121ft (37 metres) long and has a wingspan of 131ft (40 metres).

It is able to stay hovering above land and water by creating a cushion of air under the 'reversed delta wings', propelling it from the ground.

On a hovercraft this is achieved by huge fans in the middle of the craft which create a massive down draft.

The FlyShip can be used with just three crew members on board and consumes about 270 litres of fuel every hour, compared to jet liners which consume up to 3,300 litres every hour.

'FlyShips are capable of reaching 155mph and they burn 50 per cent less than any twin turboprop aircraft of comparable size and we operate on diesel fuel and 'green' LPG [Liquefied Petroleum Gas].

'Our technology is for the first time closing the obvious and highly sought after gap between slow-but-cheap transport by ship and fast-but-expensive travel by aircraft.'  

According to FlyShip, there are a number of potential applications for civilian and governmental use for the craft, including military surveillance, anti-piracy operations and as a speedy ferry.

Picture Credit:Flyship./ Dailymail