Orlyonok Military-ekranoplan

In numbers  Through the lens  Video

It was designed exclusively for amphibious military operations and the rapid transport of personnel and materiel. The first flight of Orlyonok took place in 1972, on the Volga in the city of Nizhnego Novgoroda. Its flight was successful and immediately the process for launching its mass production began.


Dubl - sample for static tests. After the tests it is sent for destruction.
S-23 - the post-accident flight test prototype is sent in total destruction.
S-21 - surrendered to the navy in 1978
S-25 - surrendered to the navy in 1979
S-26 - surrendered to the navy in 1980

Orlyonok Military-ekranoplan.

The last three to this day remain active in the Russian Navy. Other information states that it is in long-term storage.
The Soviet Union's plans were to build 120 Orlyonok-type ekranoplans, after the navy was impressed by its capabilities, but the plans did not materialize after the death of Defense Minister Ustinov in 1975, who supported the idea of ​​building a fleet of ekranoplans. The new minister Sokolov decided to stop the program and invest the spent funds in the construction of atomic submarines.

Orlyonok Military-ekranoplan.

Orlyonok Military-ekranoplan.

Three-view drawing

Technical specifications