Saratov Aviation, US navy cooperating

US-Saratov cooperation in the creation of a new amphibious plane has been agreed to. A protocol of cooperation was signed here today by NAVAIR, which provides material and technical support for US naval aviation, and Saratov Aviation.

As learned by Rosbalt in the Saratov Region's Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, John Fisher, director of NAVAIR'S subunit, Naval Aviation S&T Office Air, and the general director of Saratov Aviation, Aleksandr Ermishin, signed the protocol.

The sides agreed to cooperate within the framework of a project to create a new generation of the amphibious EKIP, which has no counterpart at this time. Currently, the EKIP company (Ecology and Industry) has devised a radio-controlled model of the EKIP L2 and two unmanned flying craft (EKIP L2). Provisional plans for a 120-tonne EKIP L3 are in hand. Saratov Aviation will take the lead in assembling and testing the craft and in running the summer research work for the project.