Ekranoplanam - to be!
The fact that in Washington, in the Gallery of outstanding personalities of the 20th century, is placed a portrait of Rostislav Evgenievich Alekseev, testifies to the recognized Russian priority in ekranoplanostroenie. It is he who holds the palm in creating a new type of vehicle - using the screen effect.To create an ekranoplan, which could fly over the desert and water, snow and ice, was dreamed of by another well-known aircraft designer and inventor P.I. Grokhovsky. In 1932, he developed a project of a twin-engine amphibian wig. It should be noted that many foreign enthusiastic engineers were also involved in ekranoplans. In Finland it was T. Kaario, in America - D. Warner, in Germany - A. Lippish, in Sweden - I. Troeng. However, the very effect of a dynamic airbag that forms between the wing and the surface was discovered by Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky.
AND PLANE AND SHIP
According to the definition formulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the Interim Safety Manual of WIG, it is a multi-mode vessel that, in its main operational mode, flies using the “screen effect” above a water surface or other surface, without constant contact with it, and It is maintained in air mainly by the aerodynamic lifting force generated on the air wing (s), body, or parts thereof, which are intended to use the “screen effect” action. According to the IMO classification, WIGs are classified as seagoing ships.
The effect of the screen itself is due to the fact that the disturbances (increase in pressure) from the wing reach the ground (water), are reflected and have time to reach the wing. In fact, the screen effect is the same airbag, only formed by the injection of air, not by special devices, but by the incoming flow, which leads to a large increase in pressure under the wing. The speed of propagation of the pressure wave is equal to the speed of sound.
The “wing” of such apparatuses creates lift due to the rarefied pressure above the upper plane (as in conventional aircraft) and additionally due to the increased pressure below the lower plane, which is possible only at very small heights (from a few centimeters to several meters). This height is commensurate with the length of the average aerodynamic chord (MAR) of the wing.
The larger the wing's MAR, the lower the flight speed and altitude, the higher the screen effect.
As the domestic operating experience of WIG showed, they combine the best qualities of a ship and a plane. Ekranoplans can be operated in various physiographic conditions, including those that are not available to ordinary ships. Along with higher hydroaerodynamic quality and seaworthiness, than other high-speed vessels, WIG always have amphibious properties. In addition to the water surface, they are able to move over a solid surface (earth, snow, ice) and be based on it. Wing ekranoplana special design, capable of a long time to break away from the screen and go into the "airplane" flight mode, called echo-flying.
SCREEN EFFECT
For all ekranoplanes, the main mode of operation is flying in close proximity to the surface using the "screen effect". Given that the operating conditions of ekranoplanes are close to the operating conditions of ships, a joint decision of the IMO and the International Civil Organization aviation (ICAO) The ekranoplane is not considered as an aircraft that can sail, but as a ship capable of flying. In this case, the operation of ekranoplanes is regulated mainly by the "International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea".
Since WIGs have the ability to increase the flight altitude beyond the limits of the “screen effect” action, as well as fly at altitudes where aviation rules apply, in order to divide the sphere of jurisdiction of IMO and ICAO, all WIGs have the ability and availability of permission to operate beyond the height of the action Screen Effects are divided into three types in the Guide:
- Type A is a vessel that is certified to operate only within the “screen effect” area of coverage. Such vessels in all modes of operation are subject to the requirements of IMO;
- Type B - a vessel that is certified for a short time and by a limited amount to increase the flight altitude beyond the limits of the “screen effect” action, but at a distance from the surface not exceeding 150 m (for flying through another vessel, obstacle or other purposes). Also subject to the requirements of IMO. The maximum height of such a “flight” must be less than the minimum safe flight altitude of the aircraft in accordance with ICAO requirements (above the sea - 150 m). The height restriction in 150 M is controlled by ICAO;
- Type C is a vessel certified for operation outside the “screen effect” area of operation at a height exceeding 150 m. Subject to IMO requirements in all modes of operation, except for “aircraft”. In the "airplane" mode, security is ensured only by ICAO requirements, taking into account the special features of an EKV.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
All ekranoplans have a number of undeniable advantages:
high survivability: modern EK is much safer than conventional aircraft, as in the case of a malfunction in flight, the amphibian can take the water even with strong agitation. Moreover, this does not require any pre-landing maneuvers and can be carried out simply by discharge of gas (for example, in the event of engine failure). Also, the engine malfunction itself is often not so dangerous for large WIG due to the fact that they have several engines divided into starting and sustainer groups, and the failure of the engine of the sustainer group can be compensated by starting one of the starting group engines;
high enough speed - from 200 to 600 km / h and more - WIG on speed, combat and lifting characteristics surpass hovercraft, hydrofoil vessels;
WIGs have high profitability and higher payload compared to airplanes and helicopters, since the lifting force is added to the force generated from the screen effect;
for military use, the low visibility of ground-effect vehicle on radar due to a flight at a height of several meters, high speed, low threat of anti-ship mines are important;
for ekranoplans, the type of surface that creates a screen effect is not important - they can move over a frozen water surface, a snowy plain, over bad roads, etc .; as a result, they can move along “direct” routes, they do not need ground infrastructure: bridges, roads, etc .;
EKR aircraft belong to non-aerodrome aviation - for take-off and landing they need not a specially prepared runway, but only a sufficiently large water area or a flat piece of land.
However, ekranoplans, as well as all technical devices, are inherent and disadvantages.
This is, first of all, insufficient maneuverability, the impossibility of flying over an uneven surface (this deficiency is devoid of a screen fly). The control of ekranoplan is more complicated than that of an ordinary aircraft, which requires special training and specific pilot skills. In addition, the start procedure requires additional starting engines or special starting modes for main engines, which leads to additional fuel consumption.
Russian scientists, designers and testers have been engaged in theoretical development, design, creation and operation of ekranoplanes for more than 70 years.
Among the developments of the Soviet era ekranoplans, two dominant groups can be distinguished:
the designs of the Central Design Bureau for hydrofoil vessels (Central Design Bureau for SEC) under the leadership of Rostislav Alekseev;
designs by Robert Bartini in the Aviation Design Bureau named. Gm Beriev in Taganrog (1968 – 1974).
Works of TsKB Rostislav Alekseev
In 1941, Rostislav Alekseev defended his thesis “Hydrofoil Glider”, and in 1951, he was awarded the Stalin Prize for developing and creating hydrofoil vessels. From the idea of hydrofoil vessels, Alekseev advanced closely to the development of a vehicle capable of navigating water at speeds far exceeding the speeds of ordinary ships.
At the beginning of the 60-ies in the Central Design Bureau for hydrofoil vessels (CDB for SEC) in the laboratory conducted a study of the screen effect on small towed models and self-propelled manned vehicles.
A screened research and experimental base was required for work on the screen, and a special testing station (base) EC-2 with a complex of unique structures was built at the Gorky Reservoir, many were specially created to study the features of the screen effect.22 July 1961 of the year at the EC-2 test station was performed the first flight of the first domestic ground-effect vehicle (EK) SM-1. In the first test flight, the CM-1 was piloted by the chief designer himself and the head of the Central Design Bureau for SEC R.E. Alekseev. By the fall of 1961, the ground-winged vehicle was mastered to a high degree of confidence in the reliability of the vehicle. Alekseev invited the Deputy Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers, the Chairman of the Commission of the Presidium of the USSR Council of Ministers on Military-Industrial Issues D. F. Ustinov, the Chairman of the State Committee for Civil Engineering B.Ye. Butomu and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy S.G. Gorshkov on demonstration flights SM-1.
The demonstration turned out to be so convincing that the distinguished guests expressed a desire to ride an ekranoplane, under the personal responsibility of R.Ye. Alekseeva.
At the suggestion of D.F. Ustinova, at the beginning of May 1962, a demonstration of the SM-2 N.S. Khrushchev and other members of the government, which was held at the Khimki Reservoir near Moscow. The successful demonstration of the SM-2 influenced the adoption of the state program, including the development of new ekranoplans, the creation of combat ekranoplans for the Navy and other types of troops.
The flight test service (LIS) was organized in the structure of the Central Clinical Hospital for SEC. In 1962 – 1965, the design and creation of a unique, largest at that time in the world of aircraft - KM, which received the name “Caspian Monster” from the Americans, was carried out. The chief designer of a wig was R.E. Alekseev, the leading designer - V.P. Yefimov. The ekranoplan had a wingspan of 37,6 m, a length of about 100 m, take-off weight of 544 tons. This was a record for any existing aircraft.
In 1972, the first really working military ekranot "Orlyonok" was built, intended for the transfer of amphibious assault forces to a range of up to 1500 km. Tests of this ekranolet conducted naval pilot fleet V.G. Yarmosh. In total, in the period 1977-1983, five eagle-type ekranolets were built: “Double” for static tests, S-23, S-21, S-25, S-26. All of them became part of the naval aviation, and on their basis the 11th separate air group was formed.
The state program envisaged the construction of an Eaglet-type EKROTOL X-ZOOM before 24. The shipbuilding plants in Nizhny Novgorod and Theodosia were to carry out serial assembly. However, these plans were not destined to be realized. After his departure in the year 1984, Minister of Defense of the USSR Dmitry Ustinov, who oversaw high-tech weapons, all work on the production and development of this promising apparatus was curtailed. Before the 2007, the four made copies of the Orlenka were in varying degrees of misunderstanding at the Navy base in the city of Kaspiysk. In June 2007, the best-preserved specimen was towed down the Volga to Moscow and installed in a museum on the Khimki reservoir.
In 1987, the first flight was made by an Lun air launch vehicle. He was armed with six Mosquito guided anti-ship missiles. After the successful completion of state tests, Lun was transferred to 1990 for trial operation. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the cessation of work in this area.
The well-known aircraft designer R.L. also made a great contribution to the popularization of the ekranoplan idea, the development of circuit solutions and experimental studies of models in wind tunnels. Bartini, who worked aggressively and fruitfully in this direction in the 70-s. At this time, the project R.L. Bartini was built and tested anti-amphibious aircraft BBA-1.
SCREEN PLANS IN NEW RUSSIA
Work on the creation of ekranoplans in post-Soviet Russia continued mainly by small private enterprises and for a long time without the dominant support of the state. The practical implementation of various projects was limited to the construction of mostly single or small series of light samples, with a take-off weight of up to 10 t, WIG. They hold 10 – 30 people, have a maximum speed of about 200 km / h and a range of up to 1500 km. Among them - "Aquaglide" and "Orion" several modifications, "Petrel-24", "Volga-2", "Oriole" EK-12.
The Sky Plus Sea design bureau at the technical center, led by pilot-cosmonaut Yuri Viktorovich Romanenko, created the Burevestnik-24 X-screen X-screen satellite with a payload of 24, which was tested in Yakutia.
Orion Ekranoplanostroitelny Association has developed a model of Orion 12 ekranoplan, and several vessels have already been ordered by foreign partners.
At present, all-weather factory tests of an Orion-14 ground-effect vehicle in various conditions are underway. Originally created as a patrol ekranoplan for law enforcement agencies, the Orion-14 is also regarded as a vehicle for civilian use. In Orion-14, in contrast to Orion-12, the engine transmission was changed, their cooling system was improved, new propellers were installed, the small engine of a boat-type, as well as a number of other improvements were made. In the design of "Orion 14" used composite materials of a new generation. As part of the onboard equipment "Orion-14" increased the share of domestic components. "Orion-14" can work in the winter, its tests in an ice situation with hummocks up to 50 cm, and also on an ice sludge are planned. According to the results of tests of a ground-effect vehicle (WIG), the question of the possibility of its use in remote areas of the Far North and the Far East is considered.
In addition, within the framework of the Federal Target Program “Development of Civilian Marine Engineering” at 2009 – 2016, the Orion-20 ground-effect vehicle was developed. The length of the vehicle is about 19,128 m, the width is about 20 m, the draft at full load is no more than 0,7 m, the maximum take-off weight is 10 t. The crew consists of two people. An ekranoplan is capable of carrying an 21 passenger at speeds of 220 – 250 km / h in airplane mode and in airplane mode to a distance of up to 1600 km. "Orion-20" can be used to provide emergency medical care, for the transfer of emergency services, search and survey parties, for patrol services and other tasks of law enforcement agencies.
Russian regions are expressing serious interest in passenger ekranoplans. These are the coastal and northern regions: Primorsky Krai, Karelia, Yakutia, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Kamchatka Krai, Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The need to use WIG in these regions is determined by the fact that WIG is a vessel of year-round navigation. He can pass where no traditional craft can pass. On ice and snow, it moves like a snowmobile, in shallow water, at the request of the pilot, the ground-wing vehicle can fly up to 5 m. At the same time, its speed is comparable to the speed of aircraft for local airlines - up to 250 km / h.
Taking into account the needs of the coastal and northern Russian regions in passenger ekranoplans, as well as the needs of the global market, the state has increased the attention and measures of state support for the development of ekranoplanostroeniya. Work on the creation of a new generation of ekranoplans for the domestic and global market was included in the federal target program “Development of civilian marine equipment” for 2009 – 2016 years. Within the framework of the program, in particular, a project of high-speed ground effect vehicle based on composites was developed, and a lightweight ground effect vehicle Sterkh-10 was built and tested. In TsKB SEC them. R.E. Alekseev is working on the creation of two heavy passenger W-rotor A-050 and A-080 with take-off weight 54 and 100 t, cruising speed 350 – 450 km / h.
Outside the program, as an initiative, various organizations continue to carry out theoretical studies, develop concepts and projects of various vehicles, including, for example, a Be-2500 screening vehicle with a take-off weight of 2500 and payload of up to 1000.
FOREIGN APPROACHSince the beginning of the twenty-first century, work on ekranoplana subjects abroad has noticeably revived, today they are carried out by more than 10 highly developed countries, including China, the United States, South Korea, Germany, Canada, Iran, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore. Substantial state support is provided to these works in China, South Korea, Iran, Germany, and Singapore.
To date, more than 50 experimental as well as practical ekranoplan models have been built abroad. The creators of these ekranoplans are both individual researchers and well-known research centers and companies in several countries around the world.
In general, light ekranoplanes are currently being built abroad, but there is a clear tendency for their size and carrying capacity to grow.
In the United States, at the beginning of the 1990, specialists, having studied the experience of the USSR, came to the conclusion that the United States was significantly behind in the field of the development of ekranoplanes. The US Congress created a special commission to develop a concept and recommendations for the development of ekranoplans. In the future, the Boeing company developed the concept of an Ekranolit (the Pelikan project) for strategic redeployment of military contingents and military equipment to places of conflict. The project of the American EKR ensemble included the length of 152 m and wingspan of 106 m. When moving at an altitude of 6 m above the ocean (having the ability to rise to an altitude of 6000 m), the Pelican was supposed to carry up to 1400 tons of cargo over a distance of more than 12 thousand km.
In China, according to media reports, the most intensive work is being carried out with state support. So, back in 1995, a government order created the WV Development Center. Large scientific and scientific-technical centers and private companies in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Nanking are involved in the development of ekranoplanes. The production of ekranoplans is organized at aircraft and shipbuilding plants in the cities of Changzhou, Jingmen, Shanghai, etc. The plant for the production of ekranoplanes is built on the Chinese island of Hainan.
Private capital also takes an active part in the development of ekranoplanes. Thus, the joint-stock company "Guangzhou Tianxiang Ekranoplan Company Limited" with a statutory fund of 100 million dollars has declared its future leadership in the global ekranoplan market as one of its main goals. China, relying in many respects on the basic Russian developments, plans to build in the coming years a significant number of ground-based vehicle systems, including dual-use ones. At the enterprises, pilot production of devices with a carrying capacity from 10 to 200 t is organized, and in the future, after 2017, it is planned to build more than 200 ekranoplans. Such vessels will become an indispensable tool for high-speed passenger and cargo traffic between the islands of Southeast Asia. In general, according to experts, the needs of the People's Republic of China can be more than 1000 WIG for various purposes.
In the Republic of Korea, under the German license is built for commercial operation 50-local ekranoplan WSH-500. The government of the country plans to invest about 100 million dollars in the creation of a commercial-purpose ground-surface vehicle (2019 t and speed 100 – 250 km / h) by 300 year.
Iran, in contrast to other countries, focused on the production of ekranoplanes for military purposes. In 2010, its armed forces received the first three squadrons of Bavar-2 single-seat vehicles. Iranian ekranoplan equipped with a machine gun, night vision device, as well as equipment for reconnaissance. On board an ekranoplan it is possible to send on-line images of the terrain and other intelligence data to the Navy headquarters.
As the experience of domestic and foreign ekranoplanostroeniya shows, the ekranoplans have great prospects in the field of passenger and freight traffic, both international and domestic needs. The international "routes" of WIG will be many times shorter than the rail, road or sea routes used today.
EKV projects have been developed for passenger transportation over the Arctic waters and ice. This will allow shipping in the northern ports all year round, regardless of the season. In the future, the capabilities of WIG can be widely used for the transport of goods and members of scientific expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Ekranoplans have great prospects for use in military and other purposes of law enforcement agencies, including for the transfer of troops and military equipment in crisis areas, in the fight against smuggling and poaching while protecting coastal fish areas by the forces of the maritime border guard. Experts also seriously assess the importance of using WIG in the fight against piracy on transport routes.
Thus, it can be stated that to date, there has been a scientific and technical background for domestic development of WIG, individual samples of WIG various modifications and assignments have been built and tested, and the operating experience necessary for the serial construction of WIG has been accumulated.
Studies conducted by specialized institutes show that the expected high performance of WIG, determining their profitability, meets the modern requirements of potential customers and trends in the development of transport systems, therefore, commercial WIG can be a reality in the near future.
Given the vast experience in the design and creation of a series of ekranoplans, Russia can and should become the world leader in their production. The scientific and technical potential of Russia allows you to build these aircraft in large quantities, including for sale abroad. However, in order to develop an ekranoplanostroenie in equal conditions with foreign competitors, it is necessary to finance these works to the necessary extent using the state order. Otherwise, Russia may lose priority on these unique aircraft and technology.
In general, it is expected that in the near and medium term there will be a breakthrough in the field of ekranoplanostroeniya. It is very likely that these vehicles will become an important part of the global transport system, and in the armed forces of a number of states, primarily in Southeast Asia, regular units equipped with ekranoplans may appear.
With the sponsorship of Rosoboronexport JSC and the assistance of Concern EKR Almaz-Antey AO, Etnik’s studio has released the circulation of the first volume of Almanac Armament of Aerospace Forces of Russia - Modern Technology EKR and EW of Russia. The almanac discusses the main types of anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, radar tools, electronic warfare, targets and auxiliary equipment. It also contains information on enterprises of the Russian defense industry that develop and produce modern EKR and EW facilities, radio-electronic systems, etc. The volume of the publication is 560 pages in Russian and English, more than 2000 photos.
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