Russian IT companies have recreated in 3D the unique "Spasatel" ekranoplan, which was capable of transporting up to 500 people in an emergency. The unfinished machine has been located at the Krasnoye Sormovo plant in Nizhny Novgorod for more than 30 years.
The project was implemented by ASCON, Tesis, and NTC APM. Engineers used open data to restore the hull elements, and then performed aerodynamic and structural strength calculations.
The "Spasatel" was designed as a search and rescue vehicle for operations in the open sea. In normal mode, the ekranoplan was designed for 150 casualties, but in the event of a major accident, its capacity could increase more than threefold — up to 500 people.
The board was to include a medical unit, premises for rescued persons, and special equipment. Structurally, the machine combined the capabilities of an aircraft and a vessel and used the ground effect when flying over the water surface.
Now engineers have received a digital version of the project. Interdisciplinary calculations were performed for it, simultaneously evaluating the hydrodynamics and strength of the wing, including the analysis of the structure's natural vibrations.
Moreover, all work was performed using domestic software solutions. The 3D model was created in KOMPAS-3D and the digital shipbuilding platform, and calculations were performed in FlowVision and APM WinMachine.