Review and Evolution of Ground Effect Flight Transit Vehicles (GEFT)

Ground effect flight transit vehicles (GEFT) are a new type of ground effect machine developed through iterations of digital prototypes simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Remarkable performance characteristics include low drag, high L/D efficiency, and a substantial elimination of rolling losses. Since rolling losses are often of similar magnitude as drag, the substantial elimination of rolling loss can reduce energy consumption by half versus the best alternatives. Designs include low-aspect-ratio highspeed vehicles capable of seamless operation between existing railway, highway, and waterway corridors. The paper reviews the evolution of digital prototypes toward the GEFT design including a cascade of innovations and potential benefits of the performance capabilities. Development has not progressed past digital prototyping. The CFD performances are validated with performances and trends consistent with a foundation in airfoil science on how air flow generates aerodynamic lift founded in both continuum and molecular mechanics.