In a new take on a once-shelved project, Russian engineers are working on the prototype of a heavy ground effect “flying ship” or ekranoplan, which the Soviet Union started developing in the late 1960s.
“Work on the A-050 ekranoplan with a takeoff weight of 50 tons is now ongoing at the Akekseyev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau,” the CHDB’s chief designer Georgy Antsev said.
“We are now ready to start building the prototype and we are in talks with several potential buyers, including foreign,” he added.
Featuring all-Russian avionics and navigation gear, the A-050 is an ideal option for the Federal Border Service, the Emergency Situations Ministry and the Coast Guard, Antsev said.
The A-050’s designed maximum takeoff weight is 54 tons and its load carrying capacity – nine tons, or 100 passengers. Cruising speed is 350-450 km/h.
The A-050 will be powered by R-195 booster engines (like on the Su-25 ground attack plane), TV-117SM main engines (like on the Il-114 aircraft). The effective range is 5,000 km.
First Hydrofoil Since Soviet Era being Constructed
A Russian shipyard is currently building the first hydrofoil vessels since the Soviet Era
The fact that the vessels are being constructed "symbolizes that building of rapid ships is starting to develop after experiencing a decline in the 1990s," the source said.
"This is the first hydrofoil project since the Soviet times. It can carry 120 passengers. This is a new generation vessel for high-speed marine transportation."
The vessels are being constructed at a Nizhny Novgorod shipyard in central Russia.
"These vessels are still in high demand in Russia. Such ships are needed in the Black Sea, where there are big issues with servicing the flow of passengers."
The source added that the vessels of this kind used to be sold to China, Greece and Baltic countries.
Aviation Ru