The largest amphibious hovercraft



In the small, cozy museum Baltic Fleet, located in a building dating back to the German construction Baltiysk (Kaliningrad Oblast) guide demonstrates historical relics - first Peter times (cannons, anchors and flags from the Swedish ships), then the First and Second World Wars. And finally, the transition to modern exhibits, with special pride showing mounted on stand remote control amphibious hovercraft project 12321 "Adelia", most of which is based in Baltiysk: "It is unlikely to see anywhere else like that! '" Well, why not? - I observe carefully. - That's just yesterday saw run "Bison" "! Guide with increased respect grins: "And how is not deaf?"

Amphibious ship "Mordovia" standing on a concrete pier military harbor Baltiysk bit like a whale beached. Only from him not blowing helplessness - gaping jaws lowered "lips" flexible rubber fencing and front lip resemble a predatory smile. Before ship lined up several BMP, and one of the officers gestures helps the driver-mechanic to drop into reverse. After the last BMP takes its place in the troop compartment, the officer carefully check the alignment of the machines. He does not like something in his team a few BMP shifted forward - literally a few centimeters. Finally the test results satisfy the officer, and the machine is fixed chains. The ship's captain, Captain 3rd Rank Sergey Konov explains the meaning of these manipulations, "Accurate alignment is very important for shipping hovercraft. If the stern exceed 2 °, the nose portion of the water rises too high, aft - falls, pressure and air flow may exceed the air pressure created by the pillow. There is a danger buckled flexible rubber guards on the move, which is roughly equivalent to the effect of a collision with the wall. "

In water coat

Huddled in a corner of the pilothouse (to not to disturb anyone), I watch the preparations to sail. Posts are reporting readiness, and then, finally, is given command to start engines, releasing a herd of 50,000 horses. In armored pilothouse considerably muted roar of the engines, and I can only guess how this incredible sound is perceived from the outside. At the same time, I understand that a fast ride will not work: while driving the output to the deck was denied because the engine when working person can simply blow away.

"Up" - the commander personally sitting at the helm, throws one of the toggle switches on the console. On each side of the unit has two of forcing, which closed top air intakes turning blades. Clicking the toggle turns shovels and blowers start supplying air into the pillow. Around "Mordovia" soars dust ship jarred trembling, rises above the surface. Turn the steering wheel from side to side, Sergei Konov swings heavily loaded "Bison", slowly slipping on the concrete ramp into the water. When the ship is fully on the water from the bridge opens an amazing sight - around wherever you look, many sparkling rainbows - it is refracted by the water cloud of dust raised by the air bag. At full speed (which is 60 knots!) Ship is almost not visible - clouds of mist protruding nose portion and a glazed cabin. That, according to the officers, and still serves as a masking factor: mist interferes with enemy radar signals, making it difficult to detect and target designation. Housing made of aluminum-magnesium alloy nonmagnetic, and taking into account the height of its flight (about half) "Bison" is not afraid of any magnetic or contact mines.


The most dangerous weapon "Bison" - a two launchers for 140-mm unguided rockets.
Apply these settings for fire support of landing. But in the drive position of the ship, you can not see them.

Command and steering

Hovercraft - the only ones where the commander gave the order not just the steering, but personally is at the helm. Displacement boats and ships, set deep in the water, much more inertia and predictable. "Bison" is hovering over the water without touching it, and responds to the wind literally: "The main problem complicating control hovercraft - is his sail, - says Sergey Konov. - The projected lateral area - more than 500m ², so even a gentle breeze makes its corrections, not to mention the gusts that knocked the ship off course. Therefore, in the management of "Bison" from aviation more than from navigation, instant response and the amendment to the wind. "

Terrain clearance

Finally "Bison" coming to the point of destination - one of the beaches of the Baltic coast. Two sailors using reticles inspect the landing site and report that everything is clean. Ship slows down and raising clouds of sand and dust falls on the shore. "Landing" - the commander clicks toggle switch, turning in pumping units in planting mode: blade upper air intakes closed, the air circulates inside the pillow, cooling engines. "Bison" settles on the sand, and lowers the nose of the gangway, in which one after another move down the beach five BMP landing. Gangway removed, and then rise again on the pillow - and in the sea. This operation takes a couple of minutes.


Ship easily overlooks the sandy beach, almost oblivious to the boundary between water and solid.


Easy access to the shore is given "Bison" on virtually any speed. Launching for it is much more difficult, although it is noticeable only from the inside, from the pilothouse.

Technically, the ship can not just go to the bank, but also to go by land or swamp much further. Flexible rubber fencing consists of two parts - a receiver and legkosmennye hinged elements ("gusset"). Thick reinforced rubber is sufficiently stable to various injuries, and small holes do not affect driveability. Ship could overcome obstacles up to 1.6-2 m, and those that less than one meter, and did not notice. Was the case when the demonstration night landing one of export samples used for Greece, just "unrolled" GAZ-66, which was supposed to highlight the place landfall. Fortunately, none of the people have been hurt, but the car, of course, had to write off. Not without reason, the manufacturer claims that "Bison" is available for landings and 70% of the total length of the coastline of the seas and oceans of the world.

Author Dmitry Mamontov
http://www.popmech.ru/weapon/17053-s...podushke/#full
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Termasuk material Alutsista TNI yang perlu di pertimbangkan pengadaannya dalam MEF tahun 2014 -2019 yad.
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