'FLYING SAUCER' FINANCIAL PROBLEMS VIEWED

• Document Type: FOIA
• Keywords: UFO SPECIAL COLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005516715
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: January 31, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-00651
• Publication Date: July 14, 1993

C00175459
Page: 8 of 13
CLAS UNCLASSIFIED
CLAS UNCLASSIFIED
AFSN 934E1016A
DQAT 930714
SLIM Moscow IZVESTIYA in Russian 14 Jul 93 p 8
SUBJ 'Flying Saucer' Financial Problems Viewed
Full Text Supersone of Message
1 //((Article by IZVESTIYA writer Viktor Litovkin: "'Flying Saucers' Made in
Saratov"))
2 ((Text)) ((begin bold)) The device you see in the photo is called a highly
economical flying apparatus of the Ekip firm, but simply put it is a
"flying saucer." It is made at the Saratov Aircraft Plant.((end bold))
3 Ekip president Anatoliy Savitskiy told me that the "saucer's" general
designer is Lev Shchukin, and it is based on the surface effect combined
with the "air cushion" effect. Because of this the apparatus is capable
of shipping cargo equal to practically half its own weight while the cargo
giant Mriya can lift only a third its own weight into the air. The
"saucer" was created several years ago, but because of a lack of money it
has not yet taken its place in the ranks.
4 To be sure, last summer an experimental model of the "saucer" with a
diameter of 2.5 meters flew over the plant airfield, but the actual
apparatus, even if controlled by radio in the test flight, was to have
been sent up this fall. But for the same reason--a shortage of
finances--its departure from the shop has been postponed until spring.
In addition to its unique cargo capacities, the "saucer" can move at an
altitude of 8-10 km over a distance of 8,500 km with a speed of 650-700 km
per hour. It does not need airfields. It can take off and land on snow,
water, swamps, and hard ground. And its proportional fuel expenditure is
considerably less than that of an airplane. The vehicle does not go into a
tailspin. This makes its flight safer and makes it possible to use pilots
who do not have very high qualifications.
6 The director of the Saratov plant, Aleksandr Yermishin, thinks that the
"saucer" has a great future. One wonders how, after the landslide
conversion when all the best specialists began to leave, it managed to
retain them, promising to include in the plant program the unique flying
apparatus of the Ekip firm.
7 Anatoliy Savitskiy told me that the 120-tonne "saucer" with a diameter of
25 meters will cost approximately $70 million. Many foreign firms have
expressed a desire to participate in its creation. But Russia still has
priority in making this fantastic dream come true. (endall)
19/1805z Jul BT 98921 NNNN
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Approved for Release