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New images out of China are raising eyebrows among military ysts
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They appear to show a previously unseen wing and ground effect aircraft docked near the Bohai Sea
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It's being called the Bohai Sea Monster, a nod to the Soviet-era Kapsian Sea Monster
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a massive plane that flew just above the sea surface using ground effect
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These so-called wing ships use a cushion of air between their wings
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and the water's surface to fly just feet above the sea. That lets them carry heavier loads, move faster than ships, and stay below radar detection
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Photos circulating on Chinese social media show a large boat-like fuselage with four engines mounted above the wings, wingtip floats for stability, and a V-tail
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To the war zone, it shares traits with China's AG-600 amphibious aircraft
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and may fill a similar role, resupply, search and rescue, or personnel recovery
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But there are still questions. It's unclear whether the craft is jet-powered or uses a hybrid electric system
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Some ysts believe it could be a technology demonstrator or even a smaller-scale prototype
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Military experts say this type of aircraft isn't built for frontline combat
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But in calmer waters near China's coast, it could play a key role in logistics, surveillance, or recovering downed pilots
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For now, the so-called Bohai Sea Monster remains a mystery. But the timing of its appearance has global defense ysts taking note and heightened tensions in the Pacific
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For more of our unbiased straight fact reporting, download the Straight Hour News app today or log on to SAN.com
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For Straight Hour News, I'm Kayleigh Carey
