Which is the world's best Hovercraft?

Which is the world's best military hovercraft?
I think its the Russian "Zubr" ("Bison"). Does the world have an answer to this invincible weapon?

The "Zubr" appeared in 1985. The vessel is capable of landing commandoes on 78 percent of unequipped coasts of the world (conventional storm boats can do the same on the level of 14 percent only). In addition, the craft possesses a special quality, which seems to be fantastic for battle ships: it is invisible for enemy's radar stations. The effect is achieved with the help of special coating on the body of the ship. Furthermore, the hovercraft sails in a big cloud of water splashes, which makes it undetectable for radars.

In addition to transporting land troops, the amphibious vessel is capable of making mine barriers, and rendering serious battle support to military men. The vessel is outfitted with two reactive Grad-M systems and four anti-aircraft Strela-3 complexes. The first system is meant to clear a coast of enemy's forces. Strela-3 defends the vessel from airplanes and helicopters during sea navigation. "Zubr" is equipped with two automatic six-barreled AK-630 guns. When the hovercraft shoots, it fires up to 4,000 shells a minute, which earned it a nickname in the Russian navy - a metal-cutter. The intensive fire of AK-630 guns is a reliable defense against torpedoes, mines and even cruise missiles.

I have to agree with you on that it is superbly defended and protected and in addition to that it can carry the most equipment.

Finland has air-cushioned craft that is cabable of carrying missiles and other weaponry, its pretty new and cant seem to find any details about it.
Its market as T2000 class - hovercraft, and quantity of those is 1.

The Zubr is a sight to behold and a testament to the russian shipbuilding industries.

thanks,
drfunk

somebody give me picsw. please. please. please.

Simple the US LCAC
www.globalsecurity.org...

MWM1331,

The LCAC is about as hardcore as the 08:30 Hoverspeed from Dover to Calais.

Cheers

BHR

Here are your pictures:







And a link to an info site:
Zubr Hovercraft

[edit on 17-2-2005 by chaosrain]

So, which one has the biggest payoad capacity?

that is flippen awsome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interestingly the british `mountbatten` class SR-N4s were the largest hovercraft in the world till the Zubr came along

they were originally built in 1968 onwards and the `super 4`(built from 19767 onwards - 2 of the type built) weighed in at 320 tons , with room for 60 cars and 412 passengers (112 ton ) , they were operated on the commercial dover-calais hoverspped route till 2000when they were retired , and now reside at HMS Davenport at the hovercraft museum;

but there is a proposal to buy the last 2 and put them into service on lake ontario