'Flying Saucer' Financial Problems Viewed

This document, a 1993 article from the Russian newspaper IZVESTIYA, details the development status of a unique aerial vehicle referred to as a 'flying saucer' by the Ekip firm. Manufactured at the Saratov Aircraft Plant, the device is described as a highly economical transport apparatus that utilizes a combination of surface effect and air cushion technology. According to Anatoliy Savitskiy, the president of Ekip, the vehicle is designed to carry cargo equal to half its own weight, significantly outperforming traditional cargo aircraft like the Mriya. The article notes that while an experimental model with a 2.5-meter diameter was tested at the plant's airfield the previous summer, the full-scale development has been hampered by a lack of funding, forcing the postponement of its maiden flight. The vehicle is designed to operate without traditional airfields, capable of landing on diverse surfaces such as snow, water, swamps, and hard ground, and is noted for its safety features, including an inability to enter a tailspin. Aleksandr Yermishin, the director of the Saratov plant, expresses optimism regarding the project's future, noting that the plant has managed to retain key specialists despite the economic challenges of the post-Soviet 'landslide conversion.' The projected cost for a 120-tonne, 25-meter diameter version of the craft is estimated at $70 million. While international interest has been expressed, the article concludes that Russia maintains priority in the development of this technology.