Thursday 15 May 2014

Blade Runners. Part-Two.

Russia.

The Soviet Union took advantage of this platform and developed several military and civil crafts.
The largest being the Babochka (Butterfly), which became a Naval Fast attack Missile Hydrofoil, capable of speeds in excess of 50 Knots. It was powered by 3x 12-15000 hp Diesel turbine engines.

These type of craft were designed to patrol river estuaries and to intercept intruders. Speed was initially essential but as missile technology and satellite linked systems have improved a hostile could be knocked out at some distance.

Hydrofoils are venerable to loosing their legs, but speed and system technology has improved their chances as a fighting machine, Russian went on to develop slightly smaller FAC and a whole host of civil hydrofoils as ferries in their vast country where in some places this is the only suitable means of travel.

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