Ekranoplan: Soviet ship that could move as fast as an aircraft by using ground effect.
Developed under secrecy during the Cold War.
Background
Hydrofoils in the 1950s: Fastest boats at the time, lifting out of water to reduce drag but limited by cavitation.
Rattislav Alexiev's Innovation: Proposed moving wings out of the water entirely, shifting from hydrodynamics to aerodynamics.
Ground Effect
Pilots observed extra lift when flying close to the ground.
Alexiev used this phenomenon to develop high-speed ships.
Military Potential and Development
Achronoplan Advantages:
Aircraft-like speeds.
Invisible to radar and sonar.
Access to shallow coastlines.
Cost-effective construction.
Nikita Khrushchev's Involvement: Approved funding due to potential military advantages.
The KM Ekranoplan
Largest flying machine at the time, developed in the 1960s.
Specifications:
Speed: Over 500 km/h.
Lift Capacity: 600 tons.
Special design with 10 jet engines.
Challenges:
Maintenance issues due to exposure to saltwater.
Difficult to operate and maneuver.
Weather limitations.
Shift in Soviet Leadership
Brezhnev's Leadership: Less interest in risky projects, affecting Alexiev's role and resources.
Focus shifted to smaller, more practical models.
Decline and Legacy
Economic and Political Factors:
Soviet economic struggles hindered development.
Alexiev demoted, ending major development efforts.
Final Developments: A smaller model with cruise missiles was developed but not widely produced.
Future Potential
Large ekranoplans have theoretical advantages but require immense resources.
Current interest in smaller ground-effect vehicles.
Additional Resources
Mention of documentary series and platforms like CuriosityStream and Nebula for further exploration of Soviet technological history and Cold War secrets.