Abstract
Ground effect machines (gems) are expected to play an important military and commercial role in the coming years. Practical machines have already been built and more are planned. These include GEM aircraft carriers and ocean liners capable of extremely high speeds. Supersonic vehicles of this type are foreseen for the 1980–90 era. Navigation requirements for fast ground effect machines differ from those for manned aircraft, missiles, orbital vehicles, or conventional ships. These differences and the reasons for them are discussed. Specific requirements for GEM navigation are delineated. It is shown how existing aids to navigation can be integrated into GEM navigation systems. A discussion of the part that might be played by navigation satellites such as Transit is included. The equipment needed by a fast (500 knots) GEM capable of transoceanic all-weather operation is outlined. On this basis, a prediction is made about the GEM guidance and navigation systems of the future. A brief account of the history of GEMs and a description of some of the machines now operational or planned is included.
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