Ekranoplan
Ground effect vehicle used by the anti-Federation group Mafty.
The Ekranoplan was a ground effect vehicle used by the anti-Earth Federation group Mafty in UC 0105.
A ground effect vehicle was able to glide over the surface of water by using the reaction of air against the water. This unique form of propulsion allowed the craft to achieve efficient transportation whilst maintaining a low profile over water surfaces.
History
The Ekranoplan served as a crucial transport vehicle for Mafty’s operations during their campaign against the Earth Federation in UC 0105. The craft provided the organisation with a discreet means of transportation across water surfaces, taking advantage of ground effect principles to maintain efficiency whilst avoiding detection.
In April UC 0105, Hathaway Noa and Emeralda Zubin used an Ekranoplan to travel from Mafty’s secret Pacific base to the support ship Valiant. This journey was part of the preparations for Mafty’s operations involving the RX-105 Ξ Gundam.
Design
The Ekranoplan utilised ground effect principles to achieve efficient transportation over water surfaces. Ground effect occurs when an aircraft or vehicle flies very close to the surface, typically at an altitude equal to or less than half the wingspan. This phenomenon creates a cushion of compressed air between the vehicle and the surface, reducing drag and increasing lift efficiency.
The craft was designed to accommodate a pilot and up to three passengers, making it suitable for small-scale transport missions. The vehicle’s low-profile operation over water surfaces made it ideal for covert operations, as it could avoid traditional radar detection methods whilst maintaining reasonable speed and efficiency.
Operational capabilities
The Ekranoplan’s primary advantage lay in its ability to operate in the boundary layer between air and water. This unique operational envelope allowed it to:
- Maintain efficient transportation over water surfaces
- Avoid conventional aircraft detection systems
- Operate with reduced energy consumption compared to traditional aircraft
- Provide rapid transportation between maritime locations
The craft’s design reflected Mafty’s need for discreet transportation methods that could evade Federation surveillance whilst maintaining operational effectiveness.
Known operators
Behind the scenes
The Ekranoplan was designed by Katoki Hajime, Yamane Kimitoshi, Nobuhiko Genba, and Seiichi Nakatani for the animated adaptation. Yasuhiro Moriki provided designs for the original novels.
The name “Ekranoplan” derives from the Russian term for ground effect vehicle, reflecting real-world Soviet-era aircraft such as the Lun-class ekranoplan. These vehicles were designed to take advantage of ground effect to achieve efficient transportation over water surfaces.
Appearances
See also
External links
- Ekranoplan on MAHQ
- Mafty Ekranoplan on the Gundam Wiki