SR.N1

air-cushion vehicle

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The SR.N1 was the world's first practical air-cushion vehicle (ACV), commonly known as a Hovercraft. Developed in the United Kingdom and launched in 1959, it weighed four tons and could carry three people at speeds up to 25 knots over calm water. The SR.N1's design incorporated a flexible fabric skirt, which was crucial for containing the air cushion and allowing the craft to traverse uneven surfaces. This innovation enabled the SR.N1 to make the first crossing of the English Channel by an ACV, symbolically on the 50th anniversary of Louis Blériot's flight. The SR.N1's success spurred global interest and manufacturing of ACVs.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Hovercraft
…in the series, known as SR.N1 (for Saunders-Roe Nautical 1), a four-ton vehicle that could carry only its crew of three, was invented by English engineer Christopher Cockerell; it crossed the Channel for the first time on July 25, 1959. Ten years later Cockerell was knighted for his accomplishment. By…
Read More
…in the series, known as SR.N1 (for Saunders-Roe Nautical 1), a four-ton vehicle that could carry only its crew of three, was invented by English engineer Christopher Cockerell; it crossed the Channel for the first time on July 25, 1959. Ten years later Cockerell was knighted for his accomplishment. By…
Read More