Hmmmm....Ekranoplan WAS the Caspian Sea Monster, and EKIP does have some similarities (sp?), though at a mere 360 tonnes Max AUW, EKIP still has to go some to beat the 540 tonnes of the CSM. I suspect there is a connection, as EKIP does give a passing nod to ist WIG-E flying capability, though the quoted speeds are again less than for CSM and EKIP seems to quote 11,000m as a preferred operating altitude.
I think CSM still holds some kind of water speed record at over 350mph, but then again it had ten engines to EKIP's mere six!
Caspian Sea Monster in action:
