ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Wing-in-ground effect vehicle

Have you ever noticed that a boat is able to skim across the surface of the water really easily? Well, there are some vehicles that can do the same thing in the air! They're called Wing-In-Ground Effect Vehicles or simply WIGs.

Just like boats, WIGs use a special trick called the "wing-in-ground effect" to help them fly close to the surface of the water without using too much fuel or energy. Basically, this effect happens when the air that is being pushed downwards by the wings of the vehicle creates a cushion of air underneath it. This cushion of air creates a lift that makes the vehicle float or fly above the surface of the water.

WIGs are really cool because they can travel really fast over water and can even reach speeds of over 300 miles per hour! They’re mostly used in transportation, military and rescue operations. They can carry a lot of people or goods across the sea without using too much fuel, which makes them an efficient mode of transportation.

So, next time you see a WIG, remember that it's just like a boat that really wants to fly!