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From: mlfisher@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Soviet Wing-in-Ground Effect Machine?
Message-ID: <1990Jul17.031831.22538@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 17 Jul 90 03:18:31 GMT
References: <1990Jul16.030959.5705@cbnews.att.com>
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From: mlfisher@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
In article <1990Jul16.030959.5705@cbnews.att.com>, jfb@ihlpm.att.com (Joseph F Baugher) writes:
> A couple of years ago, a rather intriguing drawing appeared in "Soviet Military
> Power".  It was a picture of a Soviet Wing-In-Ground (WIG) effects machine 
> given the NATO code name "Orlan".  It looked like a gigantic seaplane, but with
> a low-mounted stubby "wing" and a high-mounted tail with a large turboprop
> at the top.  This thing seems to be intended primarily for antisubmarine
> warfare and is supposedly armed with antiship missiles.  Subsequent to the
> publication of this drawing, I haven't heard anything further about this 
> craft.  Does anyone who reads sci.military know anything more about "Orlan",
> or even if it actually exists?
 
 
Yes it exists.  

My 1988 "Soviet Military Power" is the first UNCLAS mention of
the WIG craft that I have seen.  An interesting concept that the Soviets have
had a few problems with.  My UNCLAS source says that "they [the Soviets] are
expected to deploy operationally the first of a new class of `wing-in-ground'
effect (WIG) craft for which there is no US counterpart."

No hint as to when the WIG will become operational.

Mike