The Real Story Of the Ekranoplan (Caspian Sea Monster)

The Soviet navy vessel is classified as top secret and has a wingspan that makes it seem more at ease below the water than above it.

The "Caspian Sea Monster," a 350-ton Lun-class ship that can reach speeds of up to 550 kilometers per hour, is named after the Russian term for the harrier, a bird of prey. The ship is categorized as a ship by the International Maritime Organization. Only a single ship, however, ever set sail.

It wasn't a novel concept to use ground effect as a mode of transportation. While German engineers dabbled with the idea throughout WWII, it wasn't until Soviet designer Rostislav Evgenievich Alexeyev—famous for his groundbreaking work on the hydrofoil—developed the Ekranoplan that it became a reality.

Using what is known as the "ground effect"—"a cushion of high pressure that forms under the wings of extremely low-flying aircraft"—the Ekranoplan flew barely one to five meters over the waves.

By drawing in less air resistance, the ship is able to go faster and use less fuel. The Soviet Union may have gained an advantage in Cold War naval combat with the help of the Ekranoplan, a military vehicle that was both fast and stealthy.

As the number of U.S. carrier groups increased, the Ekranoplan was an asymmetrical reaction. In order to neutralize the stronger Western troops, Soviet military doctrine stressed the need of swift and surprising strikes. It has six nuclear missiles along its spine and could elude aircraft radar and ship torpedoes.

An aircraft carrier may have been destroyed with only one missile. In order to avoid conventional naval defenses and escape any potential reprisal, the Ekranoplan might conduct missile attacks against American carriers. The Ekranoplan may have changed the face of naval combat forever, thanks to its peak speed which was eight times faster than the fastest U.S. aircraft carrier.

The Soviet Navy received its first Ekranoplan in 1987. There were a number of serious problems with the Ekranoplan, despite its potential. Even somewhat choppy waves prevented it from taking flight. It was also unable to reach greater heights. From the start, the ship was useless since it couldn't soar over rough waters and needed calm ones to function.

A single craft was constructed prior to the program's termination. When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, a second ship, Spasatel, also known as "Rescuer," was almost finished.

As the Soviet Union drew to a close, its focus changed from military aggression to humanitarian relief; the Spasatel, in contrast to its predecessor, was planned as a field hospital that could be quickly sent to coastal regions. Sitting in Dagestan's Kaspiysk Naval Base for the next three decades was the lone completed Ekranoplan of the Lun class.

The Russian city of Derbent received it in July 2020 after it was hauled 100 kilometers. The Ekranoplan was meant to serve as the centerpiece of Patriot Park, an upcoming museum and amusement park devoted to the military accomplishments of the Soviet Union.

The Ekranoplan became stranded on a beach as it was being towed. Because they were unable to liberate the ship, they put a permanent guard on watch. The Ekranoplan started to absorb water into its hull as a result of being exposed to severe waves. To save the Ekranoplan from more harm, a salvage effort transferred it to dry ground in December 2020.

As a more eco-friendly substitute for conventional ships, new companies such as Regent Craft are developing ground effect vehicles. These eco-friendly freight and passenger vehicles hover just above the water, reducing drag and conserving energy.

References

https://comradekiev.com/journal/ekranoplan-soviet-caspian-sea-monster-plane?srsltid=AfmBOoqGEJGPnhIMV_2BwrzqKNpzoM_dMAh-OTbk3O4kYMJtK1aq_kp8

https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/ekranoplan-the-true-story-of-the-caspian-sea-monster/