Iran unveils squadrons of flying boats....Watch out America!

CNN News ^ | 09/28/10 | CNN News

[6SJ7]

It’s got an open cockpit... just like a Sopwith Camel!

[GonzoGOP]

and I was just thinking the squadron leader would be Pussy Galore.

No chance, as soon as they got to Iran all the pilots would get stoned. And not in the good way.

[Little Ray]

Normally I’d make some sort of comment about “Don’t underestimate...” but these things look like home-built recreational aircraft; they’re kinda cute and look like they’d be fun to fly.
Maybe if they could figure out a way to hang a rocket pod or anti-ship missile off it?

Anybody heard of the Lun-class ekranoplan? It was a giant Soviet Ekranoplan that carried six SS-N-22 Sunburn anti-ship missiles. Now that was a threat!

[RobRoy]

After WWII, the Russians were working on something called the "Ekranoplan". They were actually pretty cool:

http://www.vincelewis.net/ekranoplan.html

Make sure to watch the video there. Pretty danged fascinating, actually. Also, a rundown on the concept:

http://www.damninteresting.com/ground-effect-vehicles

Yes, firing missiles while "in flight"

[mountainlion]

I wonder if Iran could make an attack without the whole fleet sinking before it got close?

[The Comedian]

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Kartographer]

Check out this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4hA8IqSC58&feature=player_embedded

[Bidimus1]

There are problems with ALL light strike platforms

Missile Boats (OSA etc..) Sea Keeping, range of radar.

Rotary Wink Range and Speed and detectability

Light Jet (Hunter /AT-38 etc) Higher cost low weapons load short range.

I am not saying its a perfect platform but for a low cost and in this case disposable asset the Ekranoplan type can be useful.

The targets may well not be US Flagged War Ship but Civilian Tankers.

[Bidimus1]

There are problems with ALL light strike platforms

Missile Boats (OSA etc..) Sea Keeping, range of radar.

Rotary Wink Range and Speed and detectability

Light Jet (Hunter /AT-38 etc) Higher cost low weapons load short range.

I am not saying its a perfect platform but for a low cost and in this case disposable asset the Ekranoplan type can be useful.

The targets may well not be US Flagged War Ship but Civilian Tankers.

[Waverunner]

Exactly - Wing in ground effects, kamikaze or just a short range ( 8-10 kilometer missile) Of course it’s a great patrol aircraft for the persian gulf, and can probably be refueled from some of their patrol boats. Also a cargo ship can probably support 100 or more of these as a mother ship.
Think poor country force projection - Wonder how many Hugo Chavez is buying for use in South America.. ( Amazon river anyone).

[Scythian]

[Kartographer]

Imagen what would have happened if you actually fired on of those canons mounted on the landing struts while airborne! LOL!

[bunkerhill7]

The Great Gulf of Oman Turkey Shoot

[Delta Dawn]

I’d like to have one of those for Christmas. Wonder what they go for on E-Bay?

[GonzoGOP]

Imagen what would have happened if you actually fired on of those canons mounted on the landing struts while airborne

I'm thinking a violent yaw movement, then the whole thing folds up as the wing pancakes into the airstream. Not that it would have stopped the Russians from building such a thing.

[ANGGAPO]

Perhaps they have a few hundred pounds of explosive aboard in case the pilot wishes to off himself into the side of someones ship. The Japanese thought this up way back in WWII, and it is very effective.

[Catholic Canadian]

Are these Iranians for real?

[Delta Dawn]

They kinda look like the flying monkeys from the WOO.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

That is one hell of a target!

[stormer]