Indo-Russian 'Aeroboat' launched

Moscow, June 8: Indo-Russian joint venture of The world’s first hybrid 'Aeroboat' was invented which was capable of traveling on snow, land, water, and sand built has unveiled here in Moscow on Tuesday.

Keeping in mind about the difficulty of accessing terrains such as marshy or flooded areas where the use of regular boats is made impossible, the Aeroboat is designed to access shallow water, marine vegetation or patches of dry land.

It has been designed by IIAAT Holding, a joint venture between Indian firm Millennium Aerodynamics and the International Institute for Advanced Aerospace Technologies.

Sukrit Sharan, IIAAT Holding board member told that These boats are much faster and more robust when compared to hovercraft. He said that more than 25 aeroboat units from government and private buyers in India of which they have already dispatched five for use in disaster management.

These delivered boats are used to save hundreds of lives during the monsoon season when the regions experience floods in India.

Sharan said that 'After our success with the authorities of Indian disaster management, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations has shown very strong interest in these vehicles.

He added 'Hovercraft move at around 45 km to 50 km per hour on water on an average, while aerobots are capable of going at around 150 km or more.

The Aeroboat is also designed very strongly more than hovercraft, and with estimated maintenance costs of $400-$600 per year. It is cheaper to maintain and fuel.

He pointed out that it runs on a 'hybrid' engine, meaning it can run on either electricity or petrol, enabling users to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

According to the makers, with room for one crew member and 10 passengers can travel, the 6.5-meter-long aeroboat can handle embankments and steep slopes and does not require any marine infrastructure such as jetties since it is amphibious.

Aeroboat work on dynamic air-cushion whereas Hovercraft work on static air-cushion. It is possible to use hovercraft, but they are very expensive to operate and also have speed limitations.