The USA has completed the Liberty Lifter program: its "Caspian Monster" remained at the demonstrator stage

Liberty Lifter 

The American Office of Advanced Research Projects of the US Department of Defense (DARPA) has officially completed the Liberty Lifter program, which involved the creation of its own analogue of the famous Soviet ekranoplan, the Caspian Monster. The aim of the project was to develop a large seaplane capable of transporting heavy loads over long distances without the need to use airfields or ports.

Christopher Kent, head of the program, noted that experts have proved that such an aircraft can be built. They studied the physics of flying over water, tested technologies that will allow it to take off and land even in conditions of strong sea waves. For this purpose, materials and methods borrowed from marine construction were used.

However, despite the successful tests of the demonstration sample, the Pentagon has no plans to launch full-scale production of such a machine. But the technologies obtained can be used in future projects, for example, to create lighter and more efficient next—generation aircraft.

Aurora Flight Sciences worked on the project, which emphasized that the research results can already be implemented into real developments — and this may happen in the coming years.

What is Liberty Lifter?

It would be a giant seaplane capable of delivering tons of cargo at high speed around the world. Unlike traditional aircraft, it could take off and land on water, making it independent of the airfield infrastructure. The idea was reminiscent of the Soviet Lun ekranoplane, created in the USSR back in the 1980s. Its length was 74 meters, its speed was up to 500 km/h, and its range was up to 2000 km.

Such a vehicle could transport heavy equipment, missiles, or even divisional personnel directly to their destination — without intermediate overloads and logistical difficulties.

Why was the project closed?

Most likely, because it turned out to be too complicated and expensive for practical use. Although the demo showed good results, further development would require huge investments. Instead, DARPA decided to leave the developments for the future, when technologies become more accessible and efficient.

In general, the American "Caspian Monster" remained at the experimental stage. But the idea of creating superheavy seaplanes or ekranoplanes capable of transporting cargo without infrastructure continues to live on. Maybe someday she'll come back in a new guise.