Caspian Sea Monsters, the Ground Effect Vehicles

[Feanor]

Stumbled onto this beautiful collection of photos of the Lun Ekranoplan, as it was known.

English Russia » Ekranoplan

Majestic, gigantic, and armed with nuclear cruise missiles, it has everything it needs to be a symbol of national pride. But are they still useful? Relevant? I know Boeing is experimenting with ground-effect designs. The Soviet Navy not only experimented but had serial production, and several entered service.

And of course, this is THE Caspian Sea Monster, the largest ground effect vehicle ever built.

Other notable models include the A-90 Orlyonok, of which 4 were built, and 3 entered service, and which were used as transports and the Lun MD-160, of which only one was ever built, which carried nuclear cruise missiles (SS-N-22).

Currently there are no plans to my knowledge to produce new military GEVs. Although Beriev does have an amazing Be-2500 design, for civilian transport use. (google it if you're interested)

What do you guys think? Is there a future for these designs? Not in civil aviation, but primarily in the military.

 

[STURM]

It littoral areas I think they would be very useful for hit and run attacks, especially with their high speed and supersonic anti-ship missiles. Problem is they won't be able to defend themselves if discovered by aircraft. A few scenarios in Harpoon Classic had them. As for fitting them with nuclear cruise missiles I don't see the advantage over fitting them in subs or aircraft.

 

[Kilo 2-3]

Boeing was bouncing around its Pelican design as an ultra-large transport. (Boeing Frontiers Online).

The problem is, most of the Ekranoplans/WIG vehicles I'm familiar with require fairly flat spaces of ground or water with no sudden depressions or elevations. This would presumably have a limiting effect on where they could operate. Consequently, I think it's most likely that, if they are developed in modern times, would probably fit best in ASW or ASuW strike missions.

I don't know about the expertise issue. It seems most of the experts are/were Russian and that might hamper Western growth/development (although Boeing is tinkering around with the idea already). Would China be interested in developing WIGs?

 

[Feanor]

I don't know where China stands on this, I do know that over sea they can handle waves reportedly over 5m high. As the technology is perfected, we may see them become more stable. It's also a question of size. The larger they are, the more efficient they are. Fuel-efficiency and speed wise they're very good compared to current ships. So they're excellent transports. At least in theory. They can also use existing harbor infrastructure. Weapon-wise, I don't know much in regards to their benefits as a platform. Presumably if they're faster, they can respond faster. The question is whether they can be fitted with the same amount of armament as a regular ship of comparable price (key word price, not size).

 

[chihuahuense87]

What does this weapon does, never heard of it? can someone explain please

 

[meat_helmet]

I don't know where China stands on this, I do know that over sea they can handle waves reportedly over 5m high. As the technology is perfected, we may see them become more stable. It's also a question of size. The larger they are, the more efficient they are. Fuel-efficiency and speed wise they're very good compared to current ships. So they're excellent transports. At least in theory. They can also use existing harbor infrastructure. Weapon-wise, I don't know much in regards to their benefits as a platform. Presumably if they're faster, they can respond faster. The question is whether they can be fitted with the same amount of armament as a regular ship of comparable price (key word price, not size).

It was my understanding that they we only ever used in inland seas or over large ice plains. I'm not sure they would ever really work over any ocean. Correct me if I'm worng though. So for most countires I would think they could only be used in ideal conditions which could severly limit their capability. I mean if you got just one 6-7m wave it might bring down they whole craft if its traveling at 300km+.

 

[Feanor]

I'm sure it would depend on the size of the craft. I don't know where the Lun operated, but I'll try to find that out for you, and maybe it'll shed some light.

 

[Marc 1]

It was my understanding that they we only ever used in inland seas or over large ice plains. I'm not sure they would ever really work over any ocean. Correct me if I'm worng though. So for most countires I would think they could only be used in ideal conditions which could severly limit their capability. I mean if you got just one 6-7m wave it might bring down they whole craft if its traveling at 300km+.

Depends on the class:

The International Maritime Organization recognizes three classes of ground effect craft:

Type A cannot operate out of ground effect.
Type B can jump to clear obstacles by converting kinetic energy (speed) into potential energy (height), but cannot maintain flight without the support of the ground effect.
Type C are certified as aircraft, with the ability to operate safely and efficiently out of ground effect.

Read more here: [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_effect_vehicle"]Ground effect vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:A-90_Orlyonok_1.JPG" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/A-90_Orlyonok_1.JPG/300px-A-90_Orlyonok_1.JPG"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/a/af/A-90_Orlyonok_1.JPG/300px-A-90_Orlyonok_1.JPG[/ame]