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From: tek@CS.UCLA.EDU (Ted Kim (Random Dude))
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Soviet Wing-in-Ground Effect Machine?
Keywords: Wing in Ground Effect Machine, Orlan, Soviet
Message-ID: <1990Jul18.040954.14575@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 18 Jul 90 04:09:54 GMT
References: <1990Jul16.030959.5705@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: UCLA
Lines: 39
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: tek@CS.UCLA.EDU (Ted Kim (Random Dude))

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? 

The October 1988 USNI Proceedings had an article about these WIG
craft, which are also known as "CASP-A" (or more informally as the
"Caspian Sea Monster"), because they were tested on the Caspian Sea.

They described at least two different models. Both looked like
gigantic seaplanes. One had a turboprop on top. That model was
supposed to be used for ASW or maybe as a high speed assault
transport. The other model had what looked like a row of jet engines
mounted on a low wing in front. The thrust from the engines was
supposed to blow over the main wing to provide more lift. That model
was portrayed as being a fast attack craft with six SS-N-22s. The
article speculated that the craft might be able to pop-up for a short
period to do the necessary OTH targeting.

The article seemed to imply these things were close to deployment, but
I have not heard anything since. 

-ted

Ted Kim                           
UCLA Computer Science Department  Internet: tek@penzance.cs.ucla.edu
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