Armoured and Armed Russian hovercraft

This craft is pretty crazy. Unlike the LCAC, this hovercraft is armed and the cargo is carried inside the craft. The craft is armed with two stabilised rocket launchers, four Igla-1M portable air defence missile systems and two AK-630 30mm automatic gun mounts.
The craft can carry 130 tons of cargo at a speed of 60 knots. For navigation the craft, which is called the Zubr, is equipped with two navigational radars, gyrocompass, magnetic compass, drift log, satellite navigation receiver, Decca receiver, radio direction finder, master gyroscope, and day and night vision drift sight. This craft is of a very advanced design. Do you guys think the US should design a craft like this?

Here are some pictures.

Wow, where can I get one of these?

They are built by Almaz Shipbuilding Joint Stock Company in Saint Petersburg. There have been 10 built since 1986. Just call them up, I sure they could hook you up.

One more thing. This ship can also lay active mine fields.

ahh the zubr, nice

Is this a troop transport? What exactly is the application for this fine looking vessel?
It obviously looks as if we could blow it out of the water fairly easy; especially if the fans are the only means of propulsion.

ah, I see, it is a transport. A VERY fast one too, is that 60 knots max. speed with a full load?

info about it can be found here:

www.naval-technology.com...

Oh boy!! Mondo cool. I would hate to have to replace the skirt on that monster.

I believe that you could call this craft a armoured fighting hovercraft.

I bought one yesterday. It's now in my swimming pool.

What would they do if the inflated skirt was damaged (ripped/pierced) by an attack at sea?

It seems as if it would be easy for an enemy to pierce the skirt and sink the craft with minimal effort, what kind of backup or defense do they have versus this scenario?

It looks like it has a little more protection than the US hovercraft. The armour looks like it goes over the side of the craft to protect the skirt a bit. Also the craft does have weapons, so it might be designed to fight off what could rip its skirt. I will look for more information about th eskirt and get back to you guys.

I have not found much on the skirts of the hovercraft. Does anyone have info on them?

'Course, the obvious difference between this beast and the LCAC is that ou ain't gonna put one of these in the well deck of ANY ship out there. It would fill up the first three cargo tanks on a VLCC.

Wow very cool looking!

Originally posted by Attero Auctorita
What would they do if the inflated skirt was damaged (ripped/pierced) by an attack at sea?

It seems as if it would be easy for an enemy to pierce the skirt and sink the craft with minimal effort, what kind of backup or defense do they have versus this scenario?

The skirt is the most vulnerable part on a hovercraft.
Hovercrafts are built to float like a conventional boat when the skirt is deflated. So if the skirt gets damaged you can still go over water, but not land.

MINISUB

That is an incredible hovercraft, and to think Russia is still capable of keeping these running.

Here is a link to an experimental hovercraft anyone can make with a piece of plywood, some plastic and a leaf blower.

HOVERCRAFT PLANS 4 U