Saifullah Sani
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China is discussing with the Alekseyev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau based in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia about purchasing an unknown number of A-050 ekranoplan or ground effect vehicle, the most advanced version of the Lun-class ekranoplan, for the People's Liberation Army according to the state-run China News Service on Oct. 15.
A spokesperson for Alekseyev said 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.
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.
The ekranoplan is considered suitable for the PLA Navy to deploy to various regions like the disputed South China Sea to carry out anti-access and area denial tactics. China is also understood to be developing its own version of an ekranoplan.
China in talks to buy A-050 ekranoplan from Russia|WCT