x2 Aist Class LCAC Hovercraft (Kaspiysk) | navy

 navy, hovercraft

“МДК-18” “МДК-88” Amphibious Assault Hovercraft (1981-4)
Project # : 12321 Dzheyran “Adelia”
NATO Reporting Name : Aist LCAC
(Hull # 608 & 609)

The 242nd division of amphibious ships (Kaspiysk)
CO 1st-Class Captain Oleg Malkin Subordination
Subordinate to
The 106th brigade of water region patrol ships (Kaspiysk)

Commissioned : “МДК-18” 30.11.1984 : “МДК-88” 1981

Built at the Leningrad Shipyards, the air-cushion vehicle known to NATO as the 'Aist' class is the Soviets' first large ACV design, and while similar in general appearance to the British SR.N4 Mk 2 'Mountbatten' class is much heavier. The Russian name for this class is "maly desantny korabl na vozdushnoy podushke" meaning "small air cushion vehicle".The prototype was launched in 1970 and following extensive testing the class entered series production in 1975. Since then several variants have been built, these differing in fin height, overall length, superstructure detail and armament configuration. Some 'Aists' are in service at present, and more are being built as an amphibious assault and logistic supply ACV.

The 'Aist' can deliver Naval Infantry, armoured vehicles and supplies to beach-heads which can be well inland. Only two of the Soviet fleets (the Baltic and Black Sea Fleets) deploy the 'Aists'. Large bow and stern loading ramps provide through-ship operations, and typical payloads for the craft are two MBTs of the T-S4/T-55/T-62/T-72 or T-74 type, four PT-76 light amphibious tanks and 50 Naval Infantry, three BTR-60/70/BMP-1/2 APCs and 100 Naval Infantry, four trucks and 100 Naval Infantry, 220 Naval Infantry or up to 50 or 60 tons of supplies. The Aist have suffered from high cushion pressure, and produce exceptionally heavy cushion spray, especially at low speeds.

russian-ships.info/eng/warships/project_12321.htm