Flying Boat Or Floating Plane? China's Soviet-Inspired 'Sea Monster' Craft Is Now Up For Sale

A Chinese technology company has unveiled a unique passenger vehicle that travels just above the water’s surface, reviving a Cold War-era concept once associated with the Soviet Union’s giant “Sea Monster” craft.

The vehicle, called the WaveFly 5X, completed its maiden flight on Lake Taihu in eastern China’s Jiangsu province. Developed by Chinese mobility firm Navee, the craft uses wing-in-ground-effect technology, allowing it to glide only a short distance above the water while maintaining high speeds and improved energy efficiency.

Unlike conventional aircraft, the WaveFly 5X operates on a cushion of compressed air trapped between its wings and the water below. This reduces drag and enables the craft to move efficiently without requiring a runway

or airport infrastructure.

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Inspired by a Soviet-era concept

According to the South China Morning Post, the WaveFly 5X is among the first consumer-focused vehicles built using ground-effect technology, a concept pioneered by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The most famous example was the massive Caspian Sea Monster, an experimental ekranoplan that combined features of both ships and aircraft.

Navee says the two-seater craft can take off, land and dock directly from calm waterways such as lakes and reservoirs. The company has designed it to be operated more like a boat than an aircraft, meaning users do not need a pilot’s licence or specialised flight training.

The vehicle can carry up to 140kg, reach speeds of 85km/h and travel up to 80 kilometres on a single charge. It is powered by swappable batteries that can be replaced and recharged quickly.

Built using aerospace-grade carbon fibre, the WaveFly 5X is priced at nearly $100,000 and is already available for pre-order.

Founded in 2021 and backed by Dreame Technology, Navee is best known globally for its electric scooters. The company says its products are used by more than one million customers across over 60 markets worldwide.