Free Republic

Russia is reportedly developing a new generation of wing-in-ground-effect vehicles inspired by monster craft developed during the Cold War. The new Orlan craft will be a descendant of the so-called 'Caspian Sea Monster,' a now defunct vehicle that flew across wavetops at speeds of up to 400 mph. Russian State Media reports that the Orlan, currently under development, will be ready by 2027. “The state armament program for 2018-2027 includes the Orlan research and development work, which stipulates the construction of the wing-in-ground-effect craft. The prototype will be created as part of this armament program and it will carry missile...

The Soviet era's enigmatic wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) "ekranoplans" are set to make a comeback according to various Russian media reports. In particular, a massive 600 ton design that is intended to carry out resupply and search and rescue missions in the Arctic is said to be in development, with flight testing planned for sometime in 2022 or 2023. The design, dubbed "Rescuer" is described as being be 305 feet long with a wingspan of 233 feet. Supposedly the craft's large size was decided upon due to its ability to operate in rougher sea states than smaller alternatives and because it can...

The Soviet Union’s once-secretive “Caspian Sea Monster” has resurfaced at the MAKS air show, minus the stacks of short-range nuclear missiles meant to obliterate Western defences in a sea-skimming sneak attack. The Lun-class Ekranoplan – designed to travel at high speeds just 150m above the ocean on a cushion of air – was created in the mid-1960s and is arguably one of the oddest weapons to emerge during the Cold War. But as Russian seeks to revive and modernise its one mighty aerospace industry, one design bureau see great potential reproducing the Soviet ekranoplan for passenger and cargo transport purposes....

Powered by 228,800 Lb-Ft of thrust, this Lun-class Ekranoplan was designed to carry two-million pounds of Europe-invading soldiers and vehicles and six nuclear missiles at speeds up to 340 MPH. Thank God Reagan defeated the Soviet Union.