Boeing's 'big bird' unveiled

Designed to carry huge amounts of cargo over vast distances, the Pelican's unorthodox design would allow it to 'skim' about 6 metres (20ft) above the ocean, taking advantage of reduced air resistance.

With a wingspan of 500 ft and fuselage longer than a football pitch, the Pelican would dwarf all current heavy-lift aircraft, including the world's largest aircraft, the Russian Antonov An-225.

It could carry up to 1,400 tonnes of cargo, five times the Antonov's payload.

Over land the Pelican would fly at altitudes of 20,000 feet or higher.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2254315.stm