Ekranoplans

So what is it?

A secret research project performed deep in the heart of the Soviet Union developed a most remarkable form of transport. The Ekranoplan uses the phenominon known as Wing in Ground Effect to fly a few meters above the sea or other flat surface.

Although this research project started small with proof of concept craft it was not long before the Kremlin and the Soviet military became interested. The navy took the project under its wing. It reasoned that since these craft flew under radar they would not show up as aircraft however since they flew above the water they would not show up on submarines sonar.

Money was pumped into the project (probably to the detriment of much more important projects, like getting food on the super market shelves) and a diverse minagere of craft was developed. There where troop carriers capable of making hovercraft like beach landings but as with so much cold war weapons reseatch bigger was considered better. One particularly large example was an armed to the teeth with rack upon rack of anti-shipping misiles. It resembled a hedgehog as much as anything else.

However the all time record for ludicrously large has to go to the KM. This gigantic craft (refered to by the US intelegence organisations as the Caspian Sea monster) had ten jet engines on its cannards (five on each side) and a further two on its fin.

Why is it cool?

The basic physics of these craft is very interesting. It boils down to the fact that an aerofoil does not behave in the same way when it is close to the ground as it does when it is in open air. A cushion of high pressure build up below the wing.

This does not begin to happen until the wing has attained a certain speed and it is quite hard to get an ekranoplan up to that speed. Hence the need for the ten jet engines on the KM. However once wing in ground effect flight has been achieved it is very efficient. Many of the smaller ekranoplans had jet engines to get them flying but then a low powered piston engine in the fin to keep them there. So provided you have a reasonably long journey to make the ekranoplan is very efficient.

It also shares some of the advantages of a hovercraft. The surface over which the wing flies does not have to be water. It could equally well be flat land or ice. Whatever it is, since the craft is flying the bumps and troughs in the surface have much less effect on the smoothness of the ride.

Why is it not cool?

With the collapse of the Soviet Union came the collapse of funding for this fascinating project. The people who worked so hard on it suddenly found that a Navy which could afford fuel for its ships certainly couldn't afford to support research programmes.

Some of the designers moved out of Russia and are hoping to turn there concept into a form of transport for rich executives who feel that power boats and Leer jets are passe but a combination of the two might just cut it.

They face stiff competition from western engineers who have also been working in this field for many years but without the advantage of massive government subsidies.

Others from the original design company have stayed in Russia and hope to make a success of the concept from there.

Where can I see one?

There are quite a number of companies offering wing in ground effect craft or at least boasting that they have expertese in their design. Unfortunately I have yet to see one in real life. I would suggeat that anywhere where there is a lot of water and people with fantastic amounts of money may be a good place to spot the executive toy veriety.

Who else knows about this?

The WIG Pages maintained by SE Technology appears to be quite a good resource concerning these craft.