Iran showcases its military strength ("Super-Modern Flying Boat")

China Daily ^ | Updated: 09:27, April 05, 2006

[demlosers]

TEHERAN: Iran successfully tested a "super-modern flying boat" yesterday and the land-to-sea Kowsar missile that military analysts say is designed to sink ships in the Gulf, state media reported.

The tests came in the middle of the country's Gulf war games that started on Friday. State radio said the Kowsar could evade radar and that its guidance system could not be scrambled.

The Defence Ministry was not immediately able to give details of a "flying boat" that was shown on television. The small propeller-driven aircraft floated on a trimaran hull until it took off and flew low over the surface of the water. State television said it could reach speeds of 100 knots.

"A super-modern flying boat was successfully tested in the 'Great Prophet' war game in Persian Gulf waters," state television said.

"Because of its hull's advanced design, no radar at sea or in the air can locate it. It can lift out of the water. It is wholly domestically built and can launch missiles with precise targeting while moving."

The military exercise is being held as pressure from the West, especially from the United States, rises on its nuclear programme.

Iran's military technology might not be highly advanced, but analysts say Iran would not need much know-how to cause chaos in vital oil shipping channels.

They say Iran could be testing arms in the Strait of Hormuz, a key tanker nexus, to dissuade Israel and the United States from taking military action against nuclear-power sites.

The United States said it was possible Iran had developed weapons that could evade sonar and radar but warned the Islamic Republic had a tendency to "boast and exaggerate."

Earlier in the war games, Iran said it had tested a radar-evading rocket and the Hoot (whale) underwater missile which could outpace any enemy warship.

On Monday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard test-fired a torpedo it said was being mass-produced in Iran.

"With intelligent missile terminals, Iran is capable of confronting any assaults from forces outside the region," the official IRNA news agency quoted Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Yahya Rahim as saying.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki dismissed the West's concerns about developments in Iran's missile capabilities. "Iran has never attacked any country. Our military doctrine is defensive doctrine," he told reporters.

Source: China Daily

[demlosers]

"Super-Modern Flying Boat"

[demlosers]

We've been there done that...









Convair F2Y-1 Sea Dart

Circa 1953

[sageb1]

I thought it was a UFO. ;)

[bannedfromdu]

Hmmm, looks like a little skeet shooting in our future

[Army Air Corps]

And the Martin P6M Seamaster

[MarkeyD]

I remember seeing something like this from the Russians years ago. Looks the same to me.

[Mike Darancette]

Lots of flat surfaces and a prop for radar to bounce off. I think a Predator could down this thing.

[presidio9]

[demlosers]

LoL!

[MJY1288]

I saw that video and I believe that POS could be brought down and destroyed easily with small arms fire. I would imagine that our Naval leaders are ROFL over these recently released video's of Iranian systems that the Russians sold them at their many "Weapons Yard Sales" from the 1970 and 80's era inventory of JUNK

[MJY1288]

ROFLMAO

[longtermmemmory]

Some american inventor marketed the same "ground effect phenomenon" craft.

The russian was the "autophlan" or something like that.

[Fedora]

They're threatening us with the Fantasticar?

[garyhope]

WOW, maybe we should have these smart Iranians start designing our weapons systems for us?

I wonder if this "super modern flying boat" is faster than a deck gun shell, missile or a phalanx gun?

[Army Air Corps]

Yes, the Ekranoplan. This one was designed to carry and fire anti-ship missiles.

[M203M4]

That is....just....wow. LOL.

[RansomOttawa]

First a super-missile, then a super-torpedo, now a "super-modern flying boat."

The Iranians are starting to resemble a James Bond villain.

Next thing you know, they'll be deploying sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads. Be afraid.

[Bobalu]

[WestVirginiaRebel]

[Delta 21]

Be Not Afraid !

[longtermmemmory]

196?
WIG
Russian
Orlyonok A.90
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orlenok A.90.150
Built by TGKB & Sukhoi
100 - 150 Passengers at 400 km/h over range of 2,000 km


see also

http://www.msacomputer.com/FlyingBoats-old/WIG/Russian-Amphistar-Article.html

[demlosers]

This just in. Iran's newest super-shark weapon!

[Anti-Bubba182]

Ground Effect and WIG Vehicles

The Iranian "Flying Boat" is actually a "Wing in Ground Effect Vehicle". The vehicle can fly at low altitude only. It is not a flying boat in the usual sense. I bet our naval analysts are laughing at this one! The reason they don't say anything is that this Iranian device could be used as a pretext to clobber them when the time comes. If they are trying to scare the US with this, they have badly miscalculated.

[Army Air Corps]

So, it is like the old Russky ekranoplans. Also this thing is said to travel at 100kts - sheesh, you could engage the d@mned thing visually. It does look like a nice gunnery target.

[M203M4]

Googled "flying lawnmower" and found some videos, with the kits ready to purchase. We now return to the scheduled program (circa 1950's soviet-inferior sea-garbage with "IRAN" stamped on it).

[presidio9]

Actually the pictures I posted are of three different aircraft. Check the wheels.

[longtermmemmory]

Thanks.

[snarks_when_bored]

Aegis bait...

[Sundog]

Lun Ekranoplan Specifications
Primary Function: AShM Launcher / later Search & Rescue
Contractor: Central Design Bureau
Crew: Nine; +19 rescue (S&R version)
Unit Cost: N/A
Powerplant
Eight NK-87 turbofan engines rated at 28,660 lb trust each
Dimensions
Length: 240 ft
Wingspan: 144 ft
Height: 65 ft
Weights
Empty: N/A
Max. Takeoff: 882,000 lb
Performance
Speed: 341 mph (cruise)
Ceiling: 24,600 ft
Range: 1,864 miles
Armament
Six 3M80 anti-shipping cruise missiles;

That is a huge flying boat.

[Army Air Corps]

De nada.

Iran's pronouncements becoming golden comedy. Everything is "ultra modern" and "invisible to radar" and "cannot be jammed". I echo what someone else wrote on this thread: the Iranian military will next declare that they have trained sharks with lasers on their heads.

[Army Air Corps]

That was one of their largest WIG craft. It just skims a few feet above the surface. They had several other types (turboprop powered, turbojet powered, etc.). One of the intended roles was to move troops and heavy equipment quickly across lakes, wide rivers, and in littoral areas.

[Lurker]

I have this mental picture of a US Navy weapons officer getting a look at this thing approaching a Carrier Battle Group with hostile intent.

The weapons officer double checks his radar, chuckles a bit, puts his coffee down, and then turns this 'ultra modern flying boat' into tiny little shards of metal, plastic, and Iranians.

Who is this Iranian nujbag, Dr. Evil?

L

[West Coast Conservative]

The Flying Boat of Allah.

[mkjessup]

[cue Paul Hogan voice as in "that's not a knife, THIS is a KNIFE!"]

Now THIS is a Flying Boat. ;)

[sageb1]

"The Flying Boat of Allah."

Maybe Allah should build an ark.

[idkfa]

Here's another page with all kinds of historic pictures and movies of these WIG boats. http://www.se-technology.com/wig/index.php

[Anti-Bubba182]

What I saw in the video was a lot less sophisticated than the Russian ekranoplans.

It looked like a crude version of the below:

[Army Air Corps]

Like I said, great gunnery practice - no need to waste a missle on the POS.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Thanks, I saw that. The Iranians were really stupid to put these items forward as threats. They are provocations, but they are not scary! The US military won't be worried by what
they showed.

[DTogo]

Super-Modern Flying Boat Cuisinart

[ccmay]

These Ekranoplan things have their place, and that is for moving more high-value cargo or personnel than an airplane can carry, faster than a ship can sail. Ground-effect flight is quite efficient. If you need to carry a battalion of special forces across the Caspian sea in two hours, the Ekranoplan is just what you need.

Only a raving idiot would use these monstrosities as an offensive weapon to attack an American carrier battle group. They'd be blown to matchsticks in the harbor as soon as they got up to speed.

-ccm

[LibertarianInExile]

These look to have virtually the same silhouette.

[LegendHasIt]

Hey Iran:

I don't care if all the weapons you BOUGHT from NON-MUSLIM Russia, North Korea, China etc. work as they say they will.....

They still won't save you when you force the civilized world to act.

[demlosers]

Good catch!

Iranian developed flying boat my #ss.

[Axenolith]

That ones close to destroyer sized too, they made monster WIG craft.

[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

All it needs is some carpet.

[Rastus]

That was more advanced in the '60s. It could split into four independently controllable sections, after all.

[sully777]

Super secret lranian lawnchair-balloon anti-ship discombobulater

[Ruth A.]

Call me dumb, but it sounds as if they want US to believe that they have formidable weapons and are itching to use them. Isn't that what Saddam convinced us about Iraq?

[Gunny P]

Fruit of the Loom appears to be diversifying...