Abstract: The invention has to do with a system designed to support and/or guide a ground effect machine (1) along a supporting surface (2).This system consists of structure (4) carrying a load (F), a floating partition (5) holding the cushion (9) and a flexible partition (10) defining laterally between the structure (4) and the partition (5) an enclosure of suspension (13) having a variable volume which is connected with the cushion (9) through calibrated orifices (6). The enclosure of suspension (13) has a convergent-divergent configuration, for example biconic. The area of the base (S), the area (S.sub.o) at the level of the collar (15) and the angle (.theta.) of the enclosure (13) are predetermined and remain constant.

Abstract: An air-cushion, or ground-effect, vehicle is described which includes a central cushion defining assembly of skirts and a peripheral cushion defining assembly of skirts.The skirts of the central assembly are of lobe-like section and the skirts of the peripheral assembly are cylindrical. Any given skirt of the peripheral assembly is in contact with each two, like, adjacent skirts and with two of the skirts of the central assembly.