The ekranoplane of the future took the air over the Volga

Source: “Komsomolskaya Pravda”, dated form February 10, 2017.

Author: Julia Vasilishina

Today can safely be considered as the beginning of a new era in country’s shipbuilding industry – after almost thirty years the citizens of Nizhny Novgorod performed a model of extra new ekranoplane “CHaika-2” or, scientifically speaking – ‘A-050-742d”. Despite the fact that the development exists only as a project, it is already considered as a breakthrough.

Long before the beginning of presentation, in the Nizhny Novgorod Opera and ballet theater was absolutely packed – journalists, designers, and policy. Only the lazy man did not come to look at the miracle of technology.  However, they did not manage to immediately see him in a small half-toy “airplane”, standing in the foyer.

- “Is this “Chaika” – asked visitors each other  with interest. – How beautiful!  I wish it to go!

The citizens of Nizhny Novgorod will be able to live drive out the descendant of the ‘Caspian monster” not earlier than in three years. Exactly this period will be spend on design, building and trials of the prototype. But then, there will be a great future.

- “Chaika-2” can be used for maintenance of the Arctic zone, the Far East, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka. The sea border of Russia is equal to the equator, so, this ekranoplane will come in handy! – look forward Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC “R.E.Alexeev’s Hydrofoil Design Bureau” George Antsev. – In addition to this, we expect orders from Southeast Asia, South America and South Africa.

While the designers excitedly extolled the advantages of new development, the visitor could admire the clean lines and impressive hull of ekranoplane – for exhibition right now! Particularly pleased that all this beauty can be considered as a domestic property, here everything from “stuffing” to plating will be done in Russian plants.

- Our ekranoplane will be fully equipped with Russian avionics and advanced navigation-piloting complex, - proudly says the deputy General Director of DB Sergey Korolev. – It will be indispensable when conducting rescue operations, passenger transportation and protection of state borders.