Technology

Want to See the Soviet Union’s Massive Nuclear Equipped Super Plane?

This Soviet-era sky monster is called an ekranoplan.

Robert Johnson over at Business Insider found these photos on the blog site Igor 113 and pulled together some research to bring you back to a time when the Soviets were really thought a transport ship laden with nuclear missiles was a good idea.

Below are the highlights, though you can see the full photo array here.

Want to See The Soviet Unions Massive Nuclear Equipped Super Plane?

The one you see in photos here is the Lun-class Ekranoplan. The most unique aspect of the “part plane, part boat, and part hovercraft” ekranoplan was its propulsion method, which is why it was also called a Ground Effect Vehicle (GEV) or “Sea Skimmer.”

As Johnson puts it, the GEV’s aerodynamic feat:

“takes advantage of an aeronautical effect that allows it to lift off with an immense amount of weight, but limits its flight to 16 feet above the waves. Its altitude can never be greater than the length of the wings. Think of a large seabird, like a pelican, cruising inches from the water and not needing to flap its wings.”

This allowed Ground Effect Vehicles like the ekranoplan to be twice as efficient as regular airplanes. The “wing in ground” effect let the Soviet war-bird swoop low over the water and even get decent fuel economy while maxing out at a weight of around 2 million pounds.

Want to See The Soviet Unions Massive Nuclear Equipped Super Plane?

But these aren’t just low-flying rip-offs of the American C-5 cargo plane. Ekranoplans were designed to be absolutely stacked with weaponry as well, including nuclear missiles.

The plane was capable of carrying six P-270 Moskit guided missiles armed with nuclear warheads which were mounted in dual configurations on top of the hull. An anti-submarine variant fitted with six anti-ship missile launchers was also planned for production, as was a field hospital cabin variation.

Want to See The Soviet Unions Massive Nuclear Equipped Super Plane?

At about 240 feet long, the Lun-class Ekranoplan can carry 15 officers, flying 340 mph for about 1,240 miles, but always remained stuck with a ceiling altitude of 16 feet above the ocean’s surface.

Want to See The Soviet Unions Massive Nuclear Equipped Super Plane?

The Soviet Navy’s Lun-class Ekranoplan was in limited use from 1987 to the late 1990s. The only finished model now rusts away on the edge of the Caspian Sea. Some Russian military brass have discussed refitting GEVs or building new ones for their modern fleet.

In fact, the Russian Defense Minister in 2007 said production of this particular model Ekranoplan would be resumed at some point in the future.

Want to See The Soviet Unions Massive Nuclear Equipped Super Plane?

The ekranoplans were conceptualized at the start of the 1970s, though not deployed until decades later. The first ekranoplans were built in the mid-1980′s, and the Lun operated in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean before being spotted by NATO forces.

Want to See The Soviet Unions Massive Nuclear Equipped Super Plane?Had it ever faced combat, the ekranoplan would have likely needed a fighter escort, as its size and lack of maneuverability would have made it a tempting and easy target for U.S. and NATO forces. Above, you can see where a tailgunner would have tried to fend off incoming fighter planes.

You can see more photos of the ekranoplan, courtesy of Business Insider, here.

Comments (234)

1 2 3 ... 6
  • lilbean
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:27am

    16 ft. off the waves? a couple of refueling vessels and they could have flown this thing right to the jersey shore undetected.

    Report Post » lilbean  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:50am

      We will soon collapse exactly like the Soviet Union did…. And for exactly the same reason,,, SOCIALISM KILLS INCENTIVE, INNOVATION AND PRODUCTIVITY !!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Doin it for da Chilren
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:09am

      HAHAH i think not. Show me a video when it starts to fly or even hover. I believe it might float but fly, maybe if they can get it in space. They have a better chance of making it a Trojan Horse that might or might not (Im leaning on might not) drift to our shore. Lets give a hand to the R&D department of MOTHER RUSSIA.

      Report Post »  
    • Doin it for da Chilren
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:11am

      It might be an old prop from WATER WORLD.

      Report Post »  
    • Godfather.1
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:30am

      @Detroit paperboy

      I know, right. I mean, Scandinavian countries are socialist and they are not innovative at all. They have only come up with things like Nokia, Saab, Volvo, Ikea, H&M, Ericsson, Bang & Olufsen. And, as everyone knows, all those countries have horrible economies, health care, and education systems.

      Report Post »  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:30am

      I think the Russian engineers have been playing a little too much Command & Conquer.

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • shogun459
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:36am

      Lilbean;
      They DID fly it to the Jersey Shore, After one look they declared America was already destroyed and returned to Russia.

      Report Post » shogun459  
    • Brewskie
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:36am

      “Show me a video when it starts to fly or even hover”

      Here’s a similar one:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Nu94khHoo

      Report Post »  
    • isgau8
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:45am

      This is not a conventional airplane but a ground effect vehicle. It was never designed to fly outside of ground effect. When birds seem to glide effortlessly over the waves, you are watching them use the proximity to the water to reduce drag and make their wings far more efficient via “ground effect”. There is video of the beast actually operating.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZD3OICzTAs

      Report Post » isgau8  
    • Twinspeedr
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:54am

      The only clip we have of these things flying shows an unarmed, unladen prototype. I’ll bet these things were a nightmare to keep working. What happens in bad weather with heavy seas? Sorry Komrade, no bombing mission today…

      Report Post » Twinspeedr  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:00am

      @godfatherI
      They also have almost zero diversity and victim status for 45% of the population, which means in their socialist system you work, you dont sit on your porch and wait for your welfare check, they also have tremendous oil that they actually exploit… So lots of revenue there…. But hey, if a tax rate of 70% is what you want…. Then move bro !

      Report Post »  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:05am

      Just go to youtube and put in Ekranoplan there are dozens of movies of it and similar ones flying. Google Ekranoplan there are tons of articles. don‘t say it won’t fly without researching

      Report Post »  
    • REALID 239823749828-HIF
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:15am

      @GODFATHER

      Oh how I *love* when a leftist says something stupid that I can slap down. No Scandinavian country has a socialist economy. That’s a myth that your Democrat overlords have fed you, and you bought it hook, line, and sinker. Do a little research on your own and you’ll find that in most ways, Scandinavian countries are more free than we are here, *especially* in terms of business regulation and government intervention. Try the following for starters:

      http://mises.org/Community/forums/t/5616.aspx
      http://frontpagemag.com/2011/08/12/does-scandinavian-socialism-work/
      http://www.perspectiveone.com/rebuttal-to-scandinavian-socialism.asp
      http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/510

      Next time, try actually knowing what you’re talking about before opening your mouth to spew out some sarcastic comment designed to make someone else look stupid.

      Report Post »  
    • Godfather.1
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:17am

      @Detroit paperboy

      Actually, only one Scandinavian country has oil, Noway.

      Apparently you forgot your last argument that socialism kills incentive, innovation, and productivity. The Scandinavian countries show that is not true, and you also acknowledge that fact.

      And, yes, people in those countries do milk the system and take advantage of all the benefits that the socialist system provides. Although they have high taxes, they then spend less on other things, such as not having to go bankrupt because of health care costs, not having to shell out a fortune for college, etc. It’s not like the money spent in taxes just goes to a black hole. You may not want to live in a system like that, but the reality is that the Scandinavian countries have shown that it does work and can create very strong economies.

      Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:29am

      .
      That looks to be in the scrap heap.
      They probably realized how big the carbon footprint was.
      Phew! Global warming averted.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:41am

      @Godfather!

      Yes this is so! But they are still White Anglos as a whole not a full blown multiculture with half the country going socialist through our welfare state mentality. White Americans are adopting this mentality because its no fair to them that they always have to be the ones to step up while everyone else still gets the same credit for just being in the same building with them…so many say why even try? Scandanavian countries are not facing this dilema yet.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • HK
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:53am

      Godfather,

      Please show me the one socialist/communist country that has similar diversity, population, and lan mass to ours, that works? Your are correct, in that if we all surrender our individuality and become the ‘Borg’ it will work. Sorry, but I’m not interested in becoming a slave on a guided plantation.

      Report Post »  
    • Dean Lester
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:21am

      Here is a video

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjyY3EFzXJI&feature=related

      Report Post » Dean Lester  
    • Godfather.1
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:21am

      @REALID 239823749828-HIF

      Apparently you haven’t read the articles you just posted. If you had, you had have seen that they don‘t say that Scandinavian countries aren’t socialist. Instead, they either question the effectiveness of the Scandinavian or suggest that they are not as socialist as some people think. Nowhere does it say that Scandinavian countries lack all indicia of Socialism.

      Yes, Scandinavian countries are highly capitalistic, but they also have large social programs, which shows that both can work together. All conservatives in the US say we’re turning into a socialist country because of Obamacare, which is not socialist by the way. On the other hand, Scandinavian countries do have universal healthcare, without question a socialist program.

      So, yes, they are not socialist in every single aspect, but Scandinavian countries have many more social programs than the U.S.

      Clearly you missed the point of my previous post, as it was a response to an earlier comment about how socialism causes people to be lazy because of the benefits of the welfare state. You can‘t honestly tell me that Scandinavian countries don’t have numerous government handouts. My point is that they still have strong economies and innovative technologies despite those programs.

      No, they are not 100% socialist, but they have very large and influential social programs, much more than we do here.

      Try reading your supporting material next time.

      Report Post »  
    • marion
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:19pm

      Yes, it does fly, I saw a video on it back in the early 90s. What it does is skims and uses the air pressure between the water and the wings to keep it moving along the tops of the waves. These are the first pictures I have seen of it since, and pictures of the hull, so yes, it was at one time operational.

      Report Post »  
    • single stack
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:19pm

      Doinit,
      Yes they did fly.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Nu94khHoo

      Report Post »  
    • Mike N
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:25pm

      All we need to do is install some big wave-making machines to stop it in its tracks.

      Report Post »  
    • Bloody Sam
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:28pm

      In response to “Doin it for da Chilren”s request for video;

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Nu94khHoo

      Report Post » Bloody Sam  
    • MarsBarsTru7
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:11pm

      @GODFATHER1
      Yes, Scandinavian countries are largely socialist. Which is exactly why the U.S. is stuck bailing out the Euro. If the best innovation Scandinavia can show for itself is to invent a Nokia cell phone, in comparison with what is being produced by the United States, Japan, and S. Korea, then I’d say socialism is most certainly on full display there. It’s funny. History has clearly shown the horrors and hopelessness that accompanies socialism and yet there are still those like you running around touting it as if the examples of its insidious evil didn’t exist.

      As to this flying contraption, while it is interesting, it is a great example of the stupidity and nonsense of communism. They would make projects like this work once they started them just because they refused to acknowledge a mistake. The thing has a “tail gunner” position for a flying craft built for use in the 1980s for crying out loud. And what are they going to do when they come to a big swell or rogue wave? You know why the Soviet Union fell? You’re looking at it right there. That rotten hunk of junk is a perfect sculpture representing the “achievements” of socialism and communism. Just put a few half starved Ukrainians in the picture and you’ll have a proper picture to warn future generations.

      Report Post »  
    • its_time_to_arrest_our_government
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:34pm

      another piece of russian flying junk that will fall out of the sky like all their other junk planes.

      Report Post »  
    • MYHEROISRON
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:39pm

      This giant piece of crap just looks like something commies would make! What a pack of ultra maroons!

      Report Post » MYHEROISRON  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:46pm

      Looks like a fuel saver 2 me.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • db321
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:48pm

      Looks like the Spruce Goose to me – They must have rip off the plans from Howard Hughes.

      Report Post » db321  
    • Patrick Henry II
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:51pm

      I wonder if it will actually fly?

      Report Post » Patrick Henry II  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:57pm

      It’s a good thing that

      1. America hasn’t lost a 1st Gen stealth aircraft to a hostile nation… for example… IRAN. And that
      2. IRAN isn’t friendly with nations hostile to American interests…. for example… RUSSIA

      http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/iran-says-it-downed-us-stealth-drone-pentagon-acknowledges-aircraft-downing/2011/12/04/gIQAyxa8TO_story.html

      Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • cuinsong
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 3:40pm

      Fly or not got to give them credit for thinking on a grand scale

      Report Post » cuinsong  
    • eagle2715
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 4:26pm

      GODFATHER.1

      One other thing worth mentioning about these socialized countries is the fact that they haven’t had to foot a massive defense budget for most of there existence as socialized countries…We’ve provided it for them… That’s a lot of extra cash lying around to spend on Nationalized health care, and free college for everyone…

      They also don’t have populations near the size of ours…The costs require to keep 300+ million people taken care of from cradle to grave would crush our economic system….

      Report Post » eagle2715  
    • hypnos
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 4:31pm

      Can you say spruce goose.

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • mattmo79
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 4:50pm

      Looks like the result of a bureaucratic committee. What a piece of junk.

      Report Post » mattmo79  
    • FreedomPurveyor
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:07pm

      “You may not want to live in a system like that, but the reality is that the Scandinavian countries have shown that it does work and can create very strong economies.”

      The Scandinavian countries have strong economies despite their socialist tendencies, not because of them.

      Report Post » FreedomPurveyor  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:33pm

      Wing-in-ground planes (or Surface Effect Vehicles, or Ground Effect Vehicles) can fill some roles very well. I remember an article (around 1980) in Naval Institute Proceedings that proposed using them in Naval Avaition. Interestingly, they can be classified as “ships” and not “aircraft” if they are unable to go above a height that gives them lift from the surface effect.

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:58pm

      To jump into the fray regarding socialism, a general rule of thumb is that scale matters. This is why Canadian health care providers and govt. bureaucrats advised the U.S. not to pursue socialized medicine as it would lead to a product that amounted to govt. sponsored first aid. Boring tangent… save for watching people go at each other.

      Report Post »  
    • Hollywood
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:03pm

      SNOOKY says: Let’s party!

      Report Post » Hollywood  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:31pm

      My, what a beautiful government design.
      Kind of reminds me of the Chevy Volt.
      Though I doubt the Ekranoplan spontaneously burst into flames, burning its occupants!!!

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Hollywood
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:33pm

      Kinda looks like an updated COPY of the SPRUCE GOOSE! American innovation,as usual, gets copied by PRETENDERS!

      Report Post » Hollywood  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:32pm

      Easy , Snookie design this for the show. This is wat a boat plane looks like , lmao.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • Weiners Wiener
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:45pm

      @Godfather.1 — ‘Scandinavian countries are socialist’?? Denmark is falling apart. Norway is only socialism-lite, mixed with lots of capitalism. Sweden — NOT socialist at all. Sweden is a capitalist society with ltos of welfare related to school, day care, and retirement. But it is still a capitalist economy.

      Report Post »  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 7:48am

      Detroit paperboy

      When we stop the rust prevention program started in the 70′s, yes we will be just like russia.

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • Msgt Ret
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 11:26am

      Flow to the Jersey Shores…I hope it’s first target is that low life bunch from the TV show of the same name!

      Report Post » Msgt Ret  
    • Jinglebob
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 12:55pm

      Will it sink or fly? I bet on the sinking part, it looks like it is made out of concrete.

      Report Post » Jinglebob  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 7:21pm

      @ChiefGeorge

      Agreed.

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 6:45pm

      How do you refuel a plane moving at a minimum of about 180 knots, 16 feet off the water? U need a boat that moves 200 knots on water.

      Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • AnAmerican111
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:22am

    Are you kidding me?……….What were they thinking?
    …Give in to the Iranian Navy!….. They need something that floats

    Report Post »  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:41pm

      Brought to you by the same people who designed the gun that shoots backwards so you can get the guy sneaking up behind you.

      OMG

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:52pm

      Why would the Iranians want a plane that was designed for a function they can’t (yet) support? Besides, the Iranians have our vaunted F-14 Tomcats. That will make the re-release of Top Gun that much more laughable.

      Report Post »  
  • Tickdog
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:17am

    That is one ugly bird right there!

    Report Post » Tickdog  
    • old white guy
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:22am

      it looks like it was built by a committe.

      Report Post »  
    • Lord_Frostwind
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:15pm

      No, an A-10 is an ugly plane (in a sexy kind of way) a AC-130 is ugly, this thing is a crime against aeronautical engineering! It looks like something an art major conjured up after reading way too many dystopia novels.

      Report Post » Lord_Frostwind  
    • Patrick Henry II
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:56pm

      OK I saw one of these on Johnnie Quest.

      Report Post » Patrick Henry II  
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:13am

    no wonder the russians went broke working on junk like this. that would make a great sci fi movie prop.

    Report Post »  
    • Macman1138
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:03am

      Yes, for a live action version of “Last Exile.”
      It would be perfect.

      Report Post » Macman1138  
  • Miami
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:11am

    This was not a plane it was a ground effect hovercraft. It glides over the water at five to ten feet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL3AC1LRRVk

    Report Post » Miami  
    • TROONORTH
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:24am

      Did you notice that we never see any of these things going around a corner? They are always pictured flying in a straight line in clam waters. There is a reason for that. These ‘ground effects’ aircraft, because of their reliance upon a cushion of pressurized air under the hull to keep them off the water, are very likely to let that air spill out when the craft inclines around a corner. In fact the video shows a very short scene of one turning and it is engulfed in spray as the air column is disrupted.

      We should encourage the Russians to build a lot of these so that they will not concentrate on building anything useful.

      Report Post » TROONORTH  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 3:53pm

      Yeh, but the thought of clam waters…..mmm. With linguini and garlic butter, and maybe a baked Alaska later with two Swedish mutes…

      Report Post »  
    • TheJeffersonian
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 4:02pm

      Gotta have those clams in the water or it’ll never fly.

      Report Post » TheJeffersonian  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 4:12pm

      A hovercraft is different from a wing-in-ground plane. True that they can’t turn too sharply, but for some missions, that is not a big deal. Think of going from Los Angeles to San Francisco at 250 mph — not much turning there. Also, think how cheap these things would be compared with a “supertrain”. Also, in case of war, those wing-in-ground planes could be quickly fitted with military sensor and weapons packages.

      Report Post »  
  • oldsoldier10
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:09am

    How much did the American Tax payer fund this Overseas foreign company? Are they making parts for solar urine powered cars or nuclear planes? I am sure these $100k nuclear planes will never fly or be made to the American public, only he super rich can afford them.

    Report Post » oldsoldier10  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:06am

    Notice all the bird poop ? Yea this is going to fly.

    Report Post » schroeder123  
    • SgtB
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:29am

      It used to fly. It is not a new concept. This plane is almost as old as our c-130 platform.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:03am

      SGTB, The article says they were designed in the ‘70s and came to something of fruition in the ’80s. The C130 was designed and first flew in the ’50s.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • MarsBarsTru7
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:17pm

      No crap. This thing has a tailgun position! I seriously cracked up laughing reading up on this more finding out that it was a 1980s aircraft. It can’t turn, it wouldn’t survive its first encounter with a large swell, large ship, or rogue wave, and it has a tailgunner position??? *laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes* Just look at that turkey!

      Communism. No wonder China celebrated its first aircraft carrier in 2011 after the U.S., Britain, Germany, and other developed countries had their first aircraft carriers almost 100 years ago.

      Report Post »  
  • Publius Novus
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:05am

    Holy cow that’s a big target. Remember their huge helicopters in Afghanistan? Surface to air missiles made mince meat out of them. Remedy- Naval F-14′s.

    Report Post » Publius Novus  
  • Noonien_Soong
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:04am

    Could this be the alternative to Howard Hugh’s “Spruce Goose”? What this is is when spending goes out of control to achieve power. It might the card hidden under ones sleeve.

    Report Post » Noonien_Soong  
    • Truthbeliever2
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:44am

      It is ugly but impressive in its size, shape, and possible destructive capabilities. I guess what I’m getting at is this thing is old, and Russian. Makes me wonder what the U.S. has possibly built underground, and in secret. If the Soviets can build something like this the U.S. definitely could. The U.S. has been able to print dollars for whatever it wants for a very long time. I love it when they unveil the supposed new aircraft to the public. When really its been in some bunker somewhere for 15 years.

      Report Post » Truthbeliever2  
    • DD313
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:22am

      Some people claim that the “Spruce Goose” really did not fly the half mile it got off the water with Howard Hughes at the controls because it was actually doing what the Ekranoplan did.

      Report Post » DD313  
    • trueblueday
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:43pm

      Funny, I immediately thought of the Spruce Goose also. That was impressive in size also.

      Report Post »  
  • Thevoice
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:57am

    One type of commie has their ekranoplan …Another type has their Detroit….

    Report Post » Thevoice  
  • Ialmostforgot
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:56am

    I think the Myth Busters have been at it again!

    Report Post »  
  • DirkPitt
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:56am

    “Evil” Russians aside; this thing is seriously cool.

    Report Post »  
  • grannyrecipe
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:52am

    Good Grief!! I thought it was an old concept that they didn’t use, at first glance, but they had these in their fleet?? Wow, no wonder we won the Cold War. Talk about over thinking!!!! That’s embarrassing LOL

    Video of it flying:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Nu94khHoo

    Report Post » grannyrecipe  
  • PimpleJuice
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:48am

    Looks like Rosie O’donell.

    Report Post » PimpleJuice  
  • Hobo Gator
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:46am

    Believe it or not, this thing was the idea to move troops over from Cuba to Florida rapidly. It’s a flying boat, and it’s fast and can carry tanks, fast. Russia has lots of prototypes of diverent types of weapons, just no cars.

    Report Post »  
  • The1stDave
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:44am

    The only thing you can say about a design like that is you could get a massive amount of ordinance somewhere and stay under radar. However, when you combine computers, image recognition software, and satelite imaging, going in under radar isn’t as advantagous as it used to be. You could do more with a surgical strike because that monstrousity would just be a large pile of wasted money at the bottom of the sea.

    Report Post » The1stDave  
  • LANE131
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:43am

    Flying under the radar, and we will never see it or expect it, and we can nuke at least a couple of U.S. citys. I wonder if that’s was the thinking the russians had?

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:38am

    .
    Look’s like a Flying Coffin………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • UPSETVET
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:49am

      Ridiculous. A flying coffin. Brings back memories of Howard Hughes and his “Spruce Goose” that couldn’t fly either. This piece of scrap metal would be a “sitting duck” in any combat situation. Do the Russians think this monstrosity is a serious threat to our military capability? This is a jke, right?

      Report Post »  
    • grannyrecipe
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:06am

      Here’s what transpired upon its first test:

      Gurimov, test pilot #1 : I’m not gonna fly that damn thing! Have Yagoslav do it!
      Yagoslav: I ain’t flying that piece of crap, besides it‘s Zorzy’s turn!
      Gutimov: Zorzy got dirted-out when he had to fly the Kopnager, the plane that can fly both directions at once…vaporized…
      Comandant (holding a pistol): Both of you idiots better knock off all the yammering and get your sorry a**ses in that damn thing and give it a try before I shoots you both!!

      Report Post » grannyrecipe  
    • Doin it for da Chilren
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:18am

      Hahaha Come on people for real, these are the threats that cost us our lively hoods. Maybe Russia felt they had to outdo the Chinese HOT POTATO training.

      Report Post »  
    • jado1981
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:24pm

      In my lack of knowledge, I’ll ask… This thing “flew” at a maximum altitude of 16′ above the ground, and it used to carry nukes, right? What would happen when this bird dropped it‘s payload at 16’ above the ground? Is the 16′ measured from the lowest point of the aircraft, or the wings? It looks to be well over 16′ from the wing to the ground. I’m going on a hunch that the pilots and associated crew turned into kamikaze pilots, right? How fast does that nuke spread its radiation? Surely faster than what they can get away from (370 mph?)

      Report Post »  
  • welloddyfriggindah
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:26am

    Looks like something from a ‘70’s Roger Dean Yes album cover.

    Report Post » welloddyfriggindah  
  • IIIper
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:26am

    It’s “The Homer”.

    Outstanding.

    Report Post »  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:20am

    An oversized Trabant that flies! Well, sort of flies.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Diego Roswell
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:52pm

      The only flies this hunk of junk will ever see are the flies feasting on the dead rats in its rotting hull.

      Report Post » Diego Roswell  
  • Temporal
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:11am

    This is what happens when you allow a government committee to design something. An unworkable behemoth that never flew, let alone fulfill its design objectives.

    Report Post »  
    • little big man
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:44am

      Don’t let Obama see this , he will want to build a few to put americans back to work. then tout how many jobs he created.

      Report Post » little big man  
    • rogue operator
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:45am

      Right on. Nice metaphor for central planning in general.

      Report Post » rogue operator  
    • BOMUSTGO
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:43pm

      It is a ground effects craft..Research WIG aircraft. Wing in Ground Effect…Only designed to operate barely above the surface…

      Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • Spqr1
      Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:21am

      Looks you haven’t been paying attention. The technological boondoggles of the Pentagon would fill several volumes. Why? Glorified gunrunners (defense contractors) getting big R and D contracts to build and “test” useless but expensive crap.

      Report Post »  
  • ConservativeCharlie
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:08am

    That is an awsome story! I bet you dont see this story anywhere else. Good job Blaze!

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:06am

    Looks like a hunk of junk just like all Soviet manufactured stuff.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:00am

    Why do I think of this thing as a version of the Spruce Goose, only Russian in design?

    Wonder how much Obama offered to buy the production rights to “upgrade US tactical abilities”

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
1 2 3 ... 6

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love