China To Buy A-050 Ekranoplan Ground Effect Vehicle From Russia
China is talks with Russia to acquire an unknown number of A-050 ekranoplan or ground effect vehicle for the People's Liberation Army.
According to the state-run China News Service on Oct. 15, China is discussing with Alekseyev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau based in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia regarding the advanced version of the Lun-class ekranoplan purchase.
“The A-050 has a maximum takeoff weight of 54 tons and a loading capacity of nine tons. It can carry up to 100 passengers. With an effective range of 5,000 kilometers, the cruising speed of the A-050 ekranoplan is estimated at between 350 and 450 kilometers an hour. The ekranoplan may be fitted with a R-195 starting engines similar to those used by Su-25 bombers and TV7-117SM boosters on the Il-114,” WantChinaTimes news daily quoted a spokesperson for Alekseyev as saying Saturday.
Georgy Antsev, chair of the bureau, said in an earlier interview that the company is ready to design a prototype for the A-050.
"The A-050 has very good aerodynamics and has been successfully tested in a wind tunnel and on hydraulic canals," Antsev said. Developed as a combination of aircraft and ship, the ekranoplan is capable to move freely along a variety of routes.
China Corners 80 Per Cent Of African Air Forces' Trainer Aircraft Market
Russia, China To Extend Loans To Co-Develop Joint Aircraft, Helicopter
Will China Join The Syrian War?
Israel Signs Deal with Boeing to Procure 25 F-15 Jets Worth $5.2
Saab’s Autonomous Swarm technology Tested as part of AUKUS Trial
J-15T, J-35A Jets Indicate China Growing Carrier-based Aircraft Prowess
Ukraine to Co-Produce Anti-Drone Missiles with Thales Belgium
Russian Su-57 and Chinese J-20 as Alternatives to the American F-35 Stealth Fighter
As the Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet enters serial production, the debate over how it stacks up against the American...
NATO’s Intensified Exercises a Prep to Attack Russia?
Recent NATO exercises such as the BALTOPS-24, Steadfast Defender 2024 and its first-ever Basic Fighter Maneuvers exercise have been its...
Precision in the Skies: The Evolution of Loitering Munitions
Loitering munitions - drones that hover over a target and blow up near it - have become the weapon of...
Is the Patriot Air Defense System Outdated?
After Israel revealed its decision to decommission its U
Russia's Growing Influence in Africa: Arms Sales and Military Bases
Russia's expanding influence in Africa, demonstrated by arms sales, military deployments, and diplomatic engagements, reflects a significant geopolitical shift on...