Skip to main content

The Caspian Sea monster: MD-160 "Lun"-class ekranoplan emerges on the water again after 30 years.

   

MD-160 "Lun"



The Caspian Sea monster: MD-160 "Lun"-class ekranoplan emerges on the water again after 30 years. 


The 380-ton MD-160 or "Lun"-class ekranoplan or ground-effect aircraft has been a very interesting technical project, but the thing is that the purpose of this kind of aircraft has been a mystery. The "Lun" was the ekranoplan or wing-in-ground (WIG) or ekranoplan technology demonstration system. 

WIG or ground-effect airplane (or vehicle) is hovering above the overpressure air bed. That makes it easier to handle low-level flights. The air bed can form by using the flaps, which can pull in, and that thing makes it possible to install the WIG-system also to supersonic jet aircraft. That system gives them good STOL-(Short-Take-Off and Landing) ability and increases the payload of the aircraft. 

There are rumors that the Soviet Union has been planned to use that aircraft or flying boat in the high-speed transporter for amphibious operations or antisubmarine warfare. The "Lun" has been also a very good equipment for giving resupply for nuclear submarines. The missile equipment of that ground-effect aircraft has caused speculation that the "Lun" was the multimission body, which can have many roles in the military world. 

Those missiles would have the ekranoplan a similar ability with the rocket assault craft in the amphibious attack, and that makes it possible that the fast amphibious warfare unit can shoot the salvo of those missiles to the beach, where it is heading. But it can also use them against ships and other targets. The ekranoplan is the wing construction where the aircraft is hovering above the air bed.  And the thing is that kind of bed, what is formed by using overpressure air, what is dam under the aircraft is making the low-level flight easier and safer.

 So the similar technical solutions, that are tested with "Lun" can install to conventional aircraft like Tu-26 "Backfire" or Tu-160 "Blackjack" bombers. If that air bed is made by using flaps, what can turn down, that thing gives those aircraft ability to make low-level attacks against enemy aircraft carriers and other similar targets safer. So the ekranoplan-technic is a very multirole thing, what can install in many other aircraft like fast tactical systems what gives them also the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capacity, and allows aircraft to rise airborne in the heavier cargo than usually. So that system could be one of the most capable things, that ever created in the aircraft. 


Sources:


Caspian sea monster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Sea_Monster


Ground-effect vehicle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground-effect_vehicle


"Lun"-class ground-effect aircraft: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lun-class_ekranoplan


https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/russia-lun-class-ekranoplan-caspian-sea-monster-moves-1234577120/


Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lun-class_ekranoplan

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Plasmonic waves can make new waves in quantum technology.

"LSU researchers have made a significant discovery related to the fundamental properties and behavior of plasmonic waves, which can lead ot the development of more sensitive and robust quantum technologies. Credit: LSU" (ScitechDaily, Plasmonics Breakthrough Unleashes New Era of Quantum Technologies) Plasmonic waves in the quantum gas are the next-generation tools. The plasmonic wave is quite similar to radio waves. Or, rather say it, a combination of acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves. Quantum gas is an atom group. In those atom groups, temperature and pressure are extremely low.  The distance of atoms is long. And when an electromagnetic system can pump energy to those atoms. But the thing in quantum gas is that the atoms also make physical movements like soundwaves. It's possible. To create quantum gas using monoatomic ions like ionized noble gas. In those systems, positive (or negative) atoms push each other away.  When the box is filled with quantum gas and som
Post a Comment
Read more

The breakthrough in solid-state qubits.

Hybrid integration of a designer nanodiamond with photonic circuits via ring resonators. Credit Steven Burrows/Sun Group (ScitechDaily, Solid-State Qubits: Artificial Atoms Unlock Quantum Computing Breakthrough) ****************************************** The next part is from ScitechDaily.com "JILA breakthrough in integrating artificial atoms with photonic circuits advances quantum computing efficiency and scalability". (ScitechDaily, Solid-State Qubits: Artificial Atoms Unlock Quantum Computing Breakthrough) "In quantum information science, many particles can act as “bits,” from individual atoms to photons. At JILA, researchers utilize these bits as “qubits,” storing and processing quantum 1s or 0s through a unique system". (ScitechDaily, Solid-State Qubits: Artificial Atoms Unlock Quantum Computing Breakthrough) "While many JILA Fellows focus on qubits found in nature, such as atoms and ions, JILA Associate Fellow and University of Colorado Boulder Assistant
Post a Comment
Read more

Metamaterials can change their properties in an electric- or electro-optical field.

"Researchers have created a novel metamaterial that can dynamically tune its shape and properties in real-time, offering unprecedented adaptability for applications in robotics and smart materials. This development bridges the gap between current materials and the adaptability seen in nature, paving the way for the future of adaptive technologies. Credit: UNIST" (ScitechDaily, Metamaterial Magic: Scientists Develop New Material That Can Dynamically Tune Its Shape and Mechanical Properties in Real-Time) Metamaterials can change their properties in an electric- or electro-optical field.  An electro-optical activator can also be an IR state, which means. The metamorphosis in the material can thermally activate.  AI is the ultimate tool for metamaterial research. Metamaterials are nanotechnical- or quantum technical tools that can change their properties, like reflection or state from solid to liquid when the electric or optical effect hits that material. The metamaterial can cru
Post a Comment
Read more