"LUN " and "SPASATEL"

The LUN was a slighly smaller successor to the KM, designed by Chief Designer V. Kirillovyikh. LUN = Harrier and SPASATEL = Lifesaver, former a multirole platform for the Soviet Navy. Differences compared with the KM: greater wingspan, 8 turbofans at the front of the fuselage on pivots to blow under wing at start - no cruise engines, shorter fuselage of modified profile, taller less-swept fin carrying large swept tailplane without dihedral, 4 flaps on each wing, 3 rudders but 6 elevators, hydraulically-dampened ventral ski. Modifications included: Radar in nose, fore/aft sensor pod above tail and aft control/observation station with forward-facing windows near top of the fin.

The first LUN was completed in 1987 as an attack version on which the control/observation station oversaw the loading and operation of 3 pairs of cruise missiles (3M80 or 80M "Moskits") fired from retrctable launchers. This led to the Spasatel rescue version (with missile lauchers removed) in which the control/observation station oversaw use of 6 rescue capsules for 500 people.

 

Role	Experimental attack craft (LUN) and rescue craft (Spasatel)
Wing Span	144 ft (44 m)
Length	242 ft (73.8 m)
Weight	400 tonnes - loaded
Engine	8 x VK-87
Maximum speed	550 km/h
Range	3000 km
Armament	6 x 80M "Moskit" (LUN only)
Crew	?
Produced	2 (1987-88)