Ekranoplans: The Soviet Union's Giant Flying Machines

What was the name of the Soviet designer who developed the Ekranoplan technology?

• Rostislav Alexeyev

• Leonid Brezhnev

• Nikita Khrushchev

• Vladimir Putin

What was the main advantage of Ekranoplans over conventional ships?

• They were cheaper to build

• They could fly at aircraft-like speeds

• They were invisible to radar

• They could carry more cargo

What was the main challenge faced by the KM, the largest Ekranoplan developed in the 1960s?

• Difficulty in turning

• Inability to fly in ground effect

• Maintenance in saltwater conditions

• Limited lifting capacity

Why did the development of Ekranoplans slow down in the 1980s?

• Technical limitations

• Soviet economic failures

• Competition from other countries

• Lack of interest from military leaders

What was the final Ekranoplan developed for the 1980s primarily designed for?

• Carrying anti-ship cruise missiles

• Transporting troops

• Operating in high seas

• Flying out of the ground effect

What happened to the few Ekranoplans built after the collapse of the Soviet Union?

• They were used for civilian transportation

• They were sold to other countries

• They were dismantled for parts

• They were pulled from service

What is the ground effect in the context of Ekranoplans?

• The ability to operate in rough seas

• The phenomenon of gaining extra lift close to the ground

• The impact of cavitation on hydrofoils

• The process of lifting the boat out of the water

What was the main reason for the failure to attract resources for developing larger Ekranoplans?

• Soviet Union's economic collapse

• Technical challenges

• Competition from other transportation technologies

• Lack of interest from potential investors

What was the main advantage of Ekranoplans over aircraft for carrying passengers and cargo?

• Lower operating costs

• Ability to fly at higher altitudes

• Efficiency in transversing oceans

• Higher stability and efficiency at larger sizes

What was the main reason for the demotion of Rostislav Alexeyev in 1968?

• Soviet leadership's skepticism about Ekranoplans

• Technical flaws in the KM

• Lack of progress in Ekranoplan development

• Conflict with Soviet bureaucracy