---
title: "These Soviet airplanes were built to fly fast right over the surface of water"
date: "2018-11-01"
modified: "2020-10-21"
authors:
  - name: "Orvelin Valle"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/orvelinvalle/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-tactical/low-flying-soviet-airplanes-ridiculously-huge/"
categories:
  - "Aircraft"
  - "Tactical"
tags:
  - "Russia"
---

# These Soviet airplanes were built to fly fast right over the surface of water

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17290384/origin.jpg>)

During the Cold War, the Soviets made a new type of vehicle called a ground effect vehicle (GEV). These vehicles earned their own classification because they aren't quite airplanes or hovercrafts but something in between.

---

Ground effect is the aerodynamic interaction between the wings and the surface of the Earth, which reduce the drag and lead to greater cruise efficiency, according to [AVweb](<https://www.avweb.com/news/airman/185905-1.html>). Pilots simply describe it as "floating."

Although the Soviets didn't discover the ground effect phenomenon, they did take full advantage of it by making these behemoth low-flying vehicles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlEt0bCeTy8

YouTube, CVEJIN

## Author
OV is a Navy veteran and an expert in social media and entertainment marketing. Previously, with music electronics company Roland, he created social media outreach and growth strategies that became Roland's worldwide corporate standard. OV also managed social media and promotions for Madison Square Garden and Clear Channel Radio.