SM-8

from

JSC R.E. Alexeiev Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau

Like the SM-5 the SM-8 was also a 1/4 scale model of the KM. The SM-8 was a testbed for some aerodynamic improvements of the KM. Its first flight took place in 1967. The "chimney" on top of the fuselage houses a KR7-300 turbojet, a second identical engine is mounted inside the tail for forward thrust. The exhaust is directed through pipes to the eight forward mounted nozzles which blow under the wing. This system simulates the PAR system of the KM. The SM-8 is the first vehicle to incorporate a tailplane with dihedral as in the KM. The air intake of the engine of the SM-8 is protected by a spray screen.