Russia revives Caspian Sea Monster

RT.com ^ | 7/17/2010 | RT.com

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The Russian government has commissioned the renewal of the “Caspian Sea Monster,” the legendary ground effect vehicle (GEV). Only 30 such crafts were built in the Soviet Union over two decades. Propeller The revival of GEV production was announced by the Alekseev design and construction bureau, which used to be the leading producer of such vehicles. According to its production branch director, Evgeny Meleshko, the bureau is working on a big model. It will spend two years making the new design with the first tests to be launched in 2012.

“For our company it’s a big project, and most of our specialists will be working on it,” Meleshko told Interfax news agency.

GEVs are high-speed naval vehicles that fly just over the surface thanks to a high-pressure air cushion created by its wings. The first prototype with a wingspan of 37.6 meters and a hull length of about 100 meters could travel at 250 knots and had a maximum take-off weigh of 544 tons.

The Soviet Union produced several models, including one for amphibian troops transportation and a cruise missile carrier. There was also a project for a strategic GEV armed with ballistic missiles.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

This is the Lun class ground effect vehicle.It was used by the Soviet & Russian navies from 1987 to sometime in the late '90s.The sole vessel of her class, MD-160 entered service with the Black Sea Fleet in 1987.It was fitted with six missile launchers, mounted in pairs on the dorsal surface of the fuselage, and advanced tracking systems mounted in the nose and tail.

[Bender2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgtaeRZjWNc BUMP for later full viewing

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

http://www.moscowtopnews.com/?area=postView&id=886

More Stuff

[Eye of Unk]

I know of these “aircraft” but looking at them it still gives me a shiver, these are truly menacing, its like looking at a combination battleship, LCAC and a 747 all morphed together.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I would like to own one.

[kerosene]

For those of you concerned about these vehicles clearing water-based obstacles, consider that ground effect occurs up to an altitude equivalent to the wingspan of the vehicle, with maximum efficiency occurring at one-half of that altitude. If one of these things has a 100-foot wingspan, it can stay in ground effect at 100 feet above the surface, with maximum efficiency at 50 feet. Some of these vehicles can also do short-distance hops up to several hundred feet, to clear taller obstacles. Don’t forget that they can fly at 500 knots.

These things are awesome marvels of aeronautical engineering.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Not exactly stealthy, tho...

[JSteff]

The Spruce Goose makes more sense and actually flew once. Spruce Goose

[NY Attitude]

Bump for later

[chipper dave]

Looks like a grandchild of the Spruce Goose!

[SES1066]

We might not worry about it but I guarantee that the nation of Georgia has the shivers. This is a “Threat Axis” multiplier which has to be factored in for proper military preparedness. Every country along the Caspian and Black Seas now has something else to worry about in this area if the Russian Bear gets irritated enough.

[RayChuang88]

It’s an interesting idea but quiet they’re not. Hopefully, the Russians will use modern high-bypass jet engines and turboprops with quieter blades for a commercial version.

[spetznaz]

Well, it certainly cannot outmaneuver a real plane, and it is not stealthy. However - let's have another look. It was built for 2 purposes ...carrying troops highspeed, and carrying ASCMs to target ships and/or CMs to target land targets. In the first role ...conventional troop carriers also cannot outmaneuver planes, thus there is no advantage lost there. However, this approach is much faster, and is more or less invincible to submarines (and you never really know where an American submarine could be waiting to give you a MK48 nightmare). On the second role ....carrying supersonic Cruise missiles (be they nuclear land attack variants or anti ship variants). Well, it may seem unstealthy ....but think of what the alternative was. Tu-95 Bears flyinghigh up with a belly of supersonic cruise missiles ...far easier to target than a similar size 'plane' ALWAYS flying a maximum of 100 feet above sea level.

It may seem ungainly, but it is really a beautiful design

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

Don’t forget that they can fly at 500 knots.

If they fly 100 ft. over the surface, why couldn't these planes be used for commercial transportation? It seems that they would be more fuel efficient. And their design looks crash landing-friendly.

[valkyry1]

//It seems that they would be more fuel efficient//

Not at 500 knots, or maybe any speed using jet engines. Both the aircraft and the engine is more efficient at high altitude.

That however does not mean this platform does not have some very effective uses. Think about if China perfected this technology and their threat against Taiwan.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I agree

[Boiler Plate]

When I did work on the LCAC the one thing that really got my attention was the incredible rate of oxidation. If you think keeping a boat in in salt water is a maintenance headache multiply by 100 due to the misting caused by the lift fans.
I would think that these craft would be in same category as the LCAC in terms of maintenance and would bring in to question their availability/reliability.

[Tijeras_Slim]

There’s been some strange stuff made. I always likes the Sea Dart and Martin Sea Master.

[cunning_fish]

IMO it is very efficient vs airplane since it takes much less enegry to utilize a ground effect comparing to horizontal flight. Same is about payload.
This thing is a hybrid of an airplane and a boat with pros and cons from both.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

Both the aircraft and the engine is more efficient at high altitude.

Less wind resistance? I guess that makes sense.