S.V. Smirnov1

1 V. A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia)
1 sapr2006@bk.ru

The work is devoted to the topical and promising topic of using an ekranoplane as a unique vehicle for moving above the surface, maintained in the atmosphere by interacting with air reflected from the surface of water, earth, snow or ice. This is due to the increasing demand for passenger and cargo transportation by sea and river routes, as well as significant improvements and safety of the ekranoplanes themselves. In addition, almost all ekranoplanes are equipped with the latest automatic motion control (ACS) systems, which implies partial (due to difficult weather conditions) or complete abandonment of the pilot's actions during the flight.
The ekranoplane can successfully solve important tasks in the field of global passenger and cargo transportation, both internationally and domestically in many countries of the world. EP transportation can become an alternative to rail, road, or sea routes, as their path is shorter and faster. This will contribute to the rise in many areas of human activity.

To date, the production of electronic components outside our country has been established at the following enterprises: Regent Craft Inc. (USA), ST Engineering (Singapore), Boeing (USA), Regent (USA), Rhein-Flugzeugbau GmbH (Germany), Hongtu and Changfei aircraft factories (China), Aron Flying Ship Ltd. (South Korea), Aircraft Model Art (Taiwan), etc.

In addition, India, Australia and other countries are also interested in the production of this type of transport for solving domestic problems, which is characterized by their interest in foreign manufacturers of ekranoplanes, as well as the establishment of their own production.

The purpose of the work is to consider a brief sample history of the ekranoplane, as well as individual models produced in Russia and abroad, indicating their technical and functional features in solving the problem of lack of transport for passenger and cargo transportation, as well as other tasks in a difficult situation on the seas and rivers.

Based on the results of the work, a brief sample history of the development of ekranoplanes, as well as the technical characteristics of some domestic and foreign models, was considered.:

The EL-7 «Ivolga» model was designed by KOMETEL CJSC (the territory of the Central Research Institute "Kometa") under the supervision of Chief designer V.V. Kolganov. This model can be used in passenger (up to 12 passengers and 2 crew) and cargo (up to 1200 kg of cargo) transportation. The technical specifications are as follows (in meters): length 16, wingspan 12.7, and height 4. It is equipped with a power plant of 2 engines (BMW M70), each with a capacity of 236 hp. The maximum flight weight is 3900 kg., the range is 1000 km or more at a speed of 180 km/h (220 maximum).

The device can move in off-road conditions, on a hard surface with slight slopes and irregularities up to 0.3 m high, as well as in swampy areas. In addition, it is able to move from the water surface to the shore. Modified models of the EL-7 (EL-7C, EK-12P) were also released. In addition, the production of EK-25 ekranoplanes, designed for 27 passengers, is being prepared. The main customer (today) are shipping and transportation companies, as well as sightseeing and travel companies.

«Chaika-2» (A-050-742D) was developed by the R.E. Alekseev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau (Nizhny Novgorod). It has the following characteristics: the length of the vessel is 34.8 m, width is 25.35 m, height is 7.85 m, total displacement is 54 tons, and it is equipped with a Russian TV 7—117CM engine, which is used on IL-112 and IL-114 aircraft. When flying in screen mode ("hovering" over water), the vessel accelerates to 400 km / h, which is comparable to the speed of turboprop aircraft, and off-screen speed can be even higher. The maximum flight range in screen mode is 3,000 km.

It is also important that this EP can fly not only at low altitudes using the "screen" mode, but will be able to take to the sky as an airplane, landing then on small airfields. The main task of «Chaika-2» should be to transport passengers or cargo (weighing up to 9 tons) over considerable distances. This EP is proposed to be used on lakes and reservoirs, as well as in coastal areas of the seas.

The «Orion-25» model was developed by the designers of EO Orion (Moscow) and the Avangard plant (Petrozavodsk). The car is based on a scheme with two turboprop engines installed in the front of the fuselage. A special feature of the layout is the aerodynamically clean lower surface of the structure, which creates conditions for flow with the highest static component of the total pressure of the incoming flow during flight in the "screen" mode. This ekranoplane weighs 14 tons and is capable of carrying up to 30 passengers and accelerating up to 500 km/h. The speed confirmed in the tests is close to the technical limit of the EP (the fastest accelerated to 600 km/h). At the same time, the «Orion-25» should have enough fuel for 3,600 km of travel or 11 hours of continuous movement. The ekranoplane is planned to be used by the Ministry of Emergency Situations and border guards.

«Tungus» is an amphibious hovercraft with aerodynamic unloading (ASVP with AR project A18). This model was produced by Aerokhod Shipbuilding Company (Nizhny Novgorod). The overall dimensions of the device are as follows (in meters): length – 19.92, width – 15.68, height (on screws) – 5.35. It is equipped with two 2xRED A03 diesel engines. The number of passengers it can carry is 24 people (excluding the crew). A special feature of this model is the presence of two main driving modes: movement on a static and dynamic air cushion. The first mode is for driving on side rivers and difficult sections of main rivers. The movement of the item instance in static mode is carried out at speeds of 50-90 km/h. On the second flight, it passes at speeds of 160-200 km/h. This mode is designed for long distances along main rivers, as well as in coastal marine zones. This item instance is able to connect settlements located at a distance of about 1000 km by water route, and the height of the obstacles encountered on the way varies from 0.5 to 2 meters. Currently (2025) it is a full-fledged ekranoplane available for use in all-season passenger transportation on the rivers of Siberia and the Far East.

The Viceroy model was developed by Regent Craft Inc. (USA) on behalf of the Ministry of Defense for the Marine Corps of the country. Viceroy is a platform designed for the rapid and safe evacuation of troops (up to 12 people) and equipment, equipped with an electric propulsion system that allows it to reach speeds of more than 290 km/h over a distance of about 300 km. and more (depends on the power supply). The length of the entire model is 17.53 m, the wingspan is 19.81 m.

It is also important that the flight is carried out by 12 electric motors located on the leading edge of the wing, which are powered by high-capacity batteries (recharging can be from shore or on the water (from a ship). It performs flight in one of three modes: on the hull ("boat-boat"), on hydrofoils or in the screen effect mode. In the passenger version, the carrying capacity of the ekranoplane is 1.36 tons, and in the cargo version it is about 1.6 tons. Viceroy is planned to be used as a vehicle for delivering goods to shore, evacuating the wounded, logistics, etc..

A Chinese model called the «Bohai Sea Monster». This name was given by journalists by analogy with the «Caspian monster» (the first Soviet EP "KM"). It is a high-speed transport and logistics variant of the ekranoplane for low-altitude movement between islands and along the coast. The device has a hybrid-electric power plant and is equipped with turboprop engines (4 units), which allows it to reach speeds above the Viceroy EP. The EP has a T-shaped tail (this shape is typical for vehicles in this category). The wings have floats (sponsons) at the ends. Composite structures are actively used in this model to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. The wingspan is almost 39 meters and the length is about 37 meters.

The Bohai Sea Monster ekranoplane is suitable for solving a wide range of tasks in the coastal zone (rescue and search for people, cargo delivery, emergency response assistance, patrolling, etc.). However, it is also believed that it can be an experimental platform for experimenting with new technologies, as well as testing equipment elements in the environment of this category of device.

The Iranian model of the Bavar-2 ekranoplane («Confidence» in Farsi translation), which joined the country's armed forces in 2010. Its development and production was carried out by the Organization of Marine Industrial Enterprises of Iran in cooperation with the Technological University. Malek-Ashtar. The advantages of the Iranian model include high speed compared to high-speed boats and boats. This model reaches speeds of 185-190 km/h (it will soon exceed 200 km/h) and usually flies at an altitude of several meters above the wave level. The maximum flight duration is 2 hours and 15 minutes. This item instance can also operate in a storm when speedboats are not capable of this.

In addition, a new model of the Bavar-4 flying boat was dismantled. This model can fly not only fly at an altitude of 0.5 m from the surface of the water, but also climb to an altitude of up to 50 m, and the flight range is 350 km. It is capable of carrying cargo weighing from 120 to 130 kg, which makes it possible to equip these flying boats with missile weapons, including short-range anti-ship missiles such as Kowsar (Kosar), weighing 100 kg, which are in service with the Iranian Navy.

The practical significance lies in the fact that, in general, the history of the development of the Ekranoplane and the current models considered in Russia and abroad are insufficiently analyzed in various review publications. This work is designed to make its possible contribution to the knowledge base on the use of unique water and air transport, which is rightfully the ekranoplane, which is gaining more and more momentum every day around the world.

It should be noted that the examples of ekranoplanes described in the work are of a scientific and practical nature and contribute to its popularization, as well as, albeit small, but still the promotion of this innovative transport in the system of cargo and passenger transportation in the aquatic environment (sea and river), as well as for use by military and other services.

The future use of the ekranoplane as a complement to water and air transport undoubtedly appears to be a promising and growing area that contributes to the rise in many areas of human activity in cities located near large rivers and in coastal areas.

Smirnov S.V. A brief overview of the history of ekranoplanes, as well as their production in Russia and abroad at the present time. Science Intensive Technologies. 2026. V. 27. № 1. P. 59−71. DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.18127/j19998465-202601-06 (in Russian)

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