A really big flying boat

[GunnyGene]

This is even bigger than Howard Hughes design.

https://www.twz.com/air/liberty-lifter-ekronoplan-demonstrator-aims-to-lift-c-130-sized-payloads

 

[Jim Walsh]

I want to get my vote in early…this will never see the light of day

 

[Watertender]

The article said affordable...... Bawwwhawwhaww!!!! Right....

 

[Colonialgirl]

OH LOOK MA !!! They copied and modernized Howard Hughs' SPRUCE GOOSE from WW2 !!!

https://www.google.com/search?q=spr...75T3iP2LnqM&vssid=_3DcRaLz2A4STwbkP4bHk4AE_61

 

[Colonialgirl]

 

[turd]

So, heavy lifter - do they plan to move navy ships to the mideast faster or what is it for?

 

[WAYNO]

View attachment 72090

I see this one quite often as I pass by the Air Museum in McMinnville. It's big even from the highway.

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[Jeepnik]

I won't go into the shenanigans that resulted in the Spruce Goose ending up where it is. Almost as bad as when Union Pacific 4014 was hauled off to be restored. You'd think they'd have the decency to bring it through L.A. County from time to time.

 

[gnappi]

And all that can be taken down with a cheap soviet sam. Making that is not gonna happen... and it DOES look like the spruce goose

 

[blume357]

awe come on guys, we gotta build it. this is 'Merica .... bigger is always better... besides that it will be for the Military and that always needs to be supported....

 

[jkingrph]

So according to the title it "aims to lift C-130 size payloads"! Why not just use a C-130 or for bigger payloads a C-17 or C -5

 

[GunnyGene]

So according to the title it "aims to lift C-130 size payloads"! Why not just use a C-130 or for bigger payloads a C-17 or C -5

Because those other choices can't land, discharge troops and equipment and take off with a full load of other troops and equipment from water, and there may not be a runway handy. It's a FLYING BOAT. 70% of this planet is water. Figure it out. Or spend 10 minutes to read the article.

 

[Jeepnik]

So aviation is coming full circle. From flying boats, due the paucity of runways and back again because we might not have runways where we need them.
But is it necessary. Between vertical assaults and the use of LAPSE we haven't really needed massive flying boats. And as mentioned they are meat on the table for even primitive air defenses.