Caspian Sea Monster - Lun-class Ekranoplan

Caspian Sea Monster - Lun-class Ekranoplan. A huge giant, “Lun” ekranoplan project. Lun is the world's only rocket ekranoplan, developed in the USSR in the 70s. Due to its high flight speed, invisibility on radars and the ability to strike aircraft carriers, it was called the "Caspian monster". The missile carrier's flight range was 2.000 kilometres, and with an additional margin – 4.000 kilometres. The ekranoplan could take off and land on the water during a five-point storm with a wave height of two and a half meters.

The development of "Lun" began in 1969 at the Central Design Bureau of the SHF (ships with hydrofoils) named after R.Ye. Alekseeva. CDB is located in Nizhny Novgorod where the ekranoplan "Lun" was built in 1986.
In 1990, after experimental tests, it was accepted by the Caspian Flotilla. In fact, it is a naval vessel with aeroplane-like wings that create lift, allowing the ship to lift above the surface. At the same time, the resistance of the friction force disappears, and the ekranoplan can develop a speed unattainable for conventional ships of 500 km/h. So, the main advantage over conventional ships is speed. Unlike aeroplanes, the ekranoplan does not need a runway. It can move over any flat surface: water, ice, flat land. In addition, the Lun is not visible on radars. Unlike ships, it easily flies over minefields in sea.
Due to the high speed, the ekranoplan was supposed to be used as a combat offensive ship. 6 launchers with missiles were installed on top of the hull, with which it could scupper even an aircraft carrier.
Design
The ekranoplan "Lun" was made according to the monoplane aircraft scheme and has a trapezoidal wing located in the centre of the body. In the front part, there is a cockpit, there is also a pylon where eight NK-87 engines are located. The body of the ekranoplan is completely made of magnesium-aluminium alloy, which significantly reduces the weight of the "Lun" and reduces the possibility of corrosion. The thickness of the cladding ranges from 4 to 12 millimetres. On the upper part of the hull, there are six containers for Mosquito anti-ship cruise missiles. In the aft part of the ekranoplan, there is a tail unit, which has a T-shape. The wingspan is 44 meters, with an end washer installed at its ends. The wing is waterproof and contains 4 fuel tanks.

Specifications
• wingspan - 44 m,
• length - 73.8 m,
• height - 19.2 m,
• wing area - 550 sq.m,
• weight of an empty ekranoplan - 243 tons,
• maximum take-off weight - 380 tons,
• engine type - 8 turbojet engines NK-87,
• maximum speed - 500 km/h,
• practical range – 2.000 km,
• flight height - 1-5 m,
• seaworthiness - 5-6 points,
• autonomy - 5 days,
• crew - 10 people.

#Ekranoplan #SeaMonster #Lun