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Alekseyev KM Caspian Sea Monster
Alekseyev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau · Wing-in-Ground Effect · USSR · Early Jet (1946–1969)
The KM, known colloquially as the Caspian Sea Monster, was an experimental ground effect vehicle developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960s by the Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau. The KM began operation in 1966, and was continuously tested by the Soviet Navy until 1980 when it crashed into the Caspian Sea.
Specifications
- Category
- Fixed Wing
- Sub-Category
- Wing-in-Ground Effect
- Domain
- Dual-Use
- Era
- Early Jet (1946–1969)
- Country
- USSR
- Manufacturer
- Alekseyev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau
- Operator
- USSR military
- Primary Role
- Wing-in-Ground Effect
- Status
- Retired
- Service Entry
- 1966
- Produced
- 1
- Propulsion
- Turbojet
- Engine
- 10x Dobrynin VD-7 turbojet (8 bow + 2 tail)
- Thrust / Power
- 130,000 lbf total
- Launch
- Water
- Length (ft)
- 348
- Wingspan (ft)
- 131
- Empty Weight (lb)
- 529110
- MTOW (lb)
- 1,190,000
- Endurance (hr)
- 3
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 16
- Range (mi)
- 900
- Max Speed (mph)
- 310