Final design of a heavy A-050 ground-effect vehicle is being developed in Russia

Central Design Bureau named after R.E. Alexeev (TsKB) has completed development of detailed design and started development of the final design of A-050 ground-effect vehicle (GEV), Voenno-promishlenniy Courier reports with reference to the TsKB Chairman of the Board of Directors, Georgy Antsev.

«Development of A-050 ground-effect vehicle with a takeoff weight of 50 tons is being carried out within the framework of a budget for development of the enterprise,» Antsev said.

According to him, “the project has reached a stage, where construction of the first prototype can be started”. Antsev added that the enterprise is negotiating with potential customers for the vehicle. «Most probably, this will be a foreign customer. A-050 GEV is also well suited for the Federal Border Service, EMERCOM, Federal Protective Service (FSO) as well as Russian navy,» the source said.

Antsev noted that A-050 GEV would be fitted with Russian-produced avionics and state-of-the-art navigation system, developed in cooperation with Scientific Research Institute of Aviation Equipment (NIIAO). «A-050 has great aerohydrodynamic characteristics. It has successfully passed tests carried out in a wind tunnel and at a water channel,» Antsev said.

According to him, over the last few years Central Design Bureau named after R.E. Alexeev regained its feet. A lot of research and development projects have been implemented in the areas of fleet, wings, GEVs, etc. Some projects were implemented on behalf of Russian Ministry of Defense. Central Design Bureau named after R.E. Alexeev has reconstructed its equipment and test benches, as well as its research potential and part of its production capacities,» Antsev said.

It was reported earlier that A-050 GEV would have a takeoff weight of 54 tons, payload of 9 tons (or 100 passengers). Its cruise speed will be 350-450 km/h. Its seakeeping performance criteria at takeoff/landing is around 1,5 meters. It will be powered by R-195 booster engines (thrust - 4500 kg (these engines are also installed on Su-25 strike-fighter aircraft)) and TV7-117SM main engines (power - 2500 h.p. each (also installed on Il-114 aircraft)). The vehicle’s range will be 5000 km.