What is another word for ground effect machines?
Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈa͡ʊnd ɪfˈɛkt məʃˈiːnz] (IPA) 
Ground effect machines, also known as wing-in-ground effect vehicles, are a type of vehicle that use the close proximity to the earth's surface to generate lift and improve performance. They can be referred to by several synonyms, including ekranoplan, flarecraft, wing-in-surface-effect ship, and sea skimmer. Ekranoplan is a Russian term that refers to the original design of these vehicles, which were developed by the Soviet Union for military purposes. Flarecraft and wing-in-surface-effect ship are other common terms used to describe these vehicles, while sea skimmer is a more informal term that emphasizes their ability to "skim" over water surfaces. Despite their different names, all of these terms refer to the same type of vehicle.
