Theory of Ground Vehicles, 5th Edition

8Introduction to Air‐Cushion Vehicles

An air‐cushion vehicle may be defined as a ground vehicle that is supported by a cushion of pressurized air. The cushion performs two basic functions:

• To separate the vehicle from the supporting surface, thus reducing or eliminating surface contact and the associated motion resistance
• To provide the vehicle with a suspension system

Since practical air‐cushion concepts emerged in the 1950s, they have found applications in overwater as well as overland transport. Commercial passenger‐carrying ferry services across stretches of water by air‐cushion vehicles were initiated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s. Air‐cushion vehicles with a capacity of 254 passengers and 30 cars went into service across the English Channel in 1968. A later version had a capacity of 418 passengers and 60 cars.

Owing to changing circumstances, such as the opening of the Channel Tunnel between England and France in 1994, and competition with traditional ferries and catamarans with lower fuel and maintenance costs, commercial ferry services with air‐cushion vehicles across the English Channel ceased in 2000 after 32 years. While commercial services by air‐cushion vehicles have declined since then, they still play an active role in defense and coast guard operations, in search and rescue missions, and in recreational activities, because of their unique capability of being able to travel across a variety of surfaces, including land, water, mud, marsh, and ice.

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