Caspian Sea Monster

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KM
Artist's illustration of the KM
Role Ekranoplan
Manufacturer Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau
Designer Rostislav Evgenievich Alexeev
First flight October 16, 1966
Status sunk in 1980
Number built 1

The Caspian Sea Monster, officially «KM» (Korabl Maket, Russian - Корабль-макет Naval Prototype),[1] also known as the "Kaspian Monster", was an experimental ekranoplan, developed at the design bureau of Rostislav Alexeyev.

Contents

History [edit]

The KM was designed in 1964—1965. It was a unique by size and payload. First spy photographs from American satellite showed a strange aircraft carrying letters "KM" on its fuselage. CIA disambiguated it as "Kaspian Monster", which in reality it meant "Korabl maket" - "prototype ship" in Russian. Chief designer for this aircraft was Rostislav Alexeyev, lead engineer — V.Efimov.[2][3][4][5]

The ekranoplan had wingspan of 37.6 m, length - 92 m, maximum take-off weight - 544 tons. Until An-225 it was the largest aircraft in the world.

KM was designed as a special vehicle for the military and rescue teams. However designing such a machine caused serious difficulties. It was documented as a marine vessel and prior to the first flight a bottle of champagne was broken against its nose. It displayed the Soviet Navy Flag and was assigned to the Soviet Navy, since the ground effect is only possible within several meters from the surface. The new vehicle was, however, piloted by air force test pilots.

Testing [edit]

KM testing started in 1966 at the Caspian sea near Kaspiysk (Dagestan).

First flight was performed by V. Loginov and Rostislav Alexeyev himself, which was very unusual - most Soviet aircraft designers never piloted their own creations. All works were conducted under patronage of the Ministry of shipbuilding industry.

KM was tested at the Caspian Sea for 15 years until 1980. In 1980, pilot error caused a crash without human casualties. The vehicle was never restored. The vehicle was too heavy to be recovered from its watery wrecksite.[6]

Characteristics [edit]

  • Wingspan: 37.60 m
  • Tail stabilizer span: 37.00 m
  • Length: 92.00 m
  • Height: 21.80 m
  • Wing area: 662.50 m²
  • Empty weight: 240,000 kg
  • MTOW: 544,000 kg
  • Powerplant: 10 TRD VD-7
  • Thrust: 10 х 13000 kgf
  • Maximum speed: 500 kph
  • Cruise speed: 430 kph
  • Range: 1500 km
  • Ground effect altitude: 4–14 m
  • Sea performance: 1.2 m

In media [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Liang Yun, Alan Bliault, Johnny Doo; WIG Craft and Ekranoplan: Ground Effect Craft Technology; Page 42 (2009)

    "In Russian KM stands for “Naval Ship Prototype”, not “Caspian Sea Monster” [4]. The craft was 92.3 m overall length, 37.6 m maximum width, 22 m maximum height and weighed 544 t, almost twice that of the Boeing 747 jet airliner models ...

  2. ^ Sergey Komissarov; Russia's Ekranoplans: The Caspian Sea Monster and Other WIG Craft; (2003)

    "As such they promptly attracted the attention of the military and thus have been veiled in secrecy until recently .The book describes in detail the many series of WIGE vehicles developed by various design bureaus, including the Orlyonok, the ..."

  3. ^ National Research Council; Reducing the Logistics Burden for the Army After Next Committee to Perform a Technology Assessment Focused on Logistics Support Requirements for Future Army Combat Systems; Page 68 (1999)

    "The Russians have developed this technology to the point of demonstrating large WIG aircraft, notably the Caspian Sea Monster, which has a maximum takeoff weight of 540 metric tons. This large aircraft has flown at 650 km/h (350 knots) just ..."

  4. ^ Liang Yun, Alan Bliault; High Performance Marine Vessels; Page 89 (2012)

    "NATO called this flying object the “Caspian Sea Monster”. Analysis suggested the craft was actually double the size of a Boeing 747, weighing about 500 t, so that it could possibly accommodate about 900 marine troops (Fig. 3.1)."

  5. ^ Anne H. Cahn; Killing Detente: The Right Attacks the CIA; Page 65 (1998)

    "It depicted "the Great Caspian Sea Monster," purporting to be the largest aircraft in the world, weighing five hundred tons. Like the hovercraft, the ship was to ride on an air cushion at speeds up to 350 miles per hour. Flying only twenty-five to ..."

  6. ^ The Register; In search of the Caspian Sea Monster; Lester Haines; 22 September 2006

External links [edit]

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