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| Yak-38 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) ASoviet Navy Yak-38 landing aboardNovorossiysk | |
| General information | |
| Type | VTOLFighter aircraft |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Yakovlev |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Soviet Naval Aviation |
| Number built | 231, including Yak-38U – 34 Yak-38M – 52 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1975–1981 |
| Introduction date | 11 August 1976 |
| First flight | 15 January 1971 |
| Retired | 1991 |
TheYakovlev Yak-38 (Russian:Яковлев Як-38;NATO reporting name: "Forger") wasSoviet Naval Aviation's only operationalVTOL strike fighter aircraft in addition to being its first operational carrier-based fixed-wing aircraft.[1] It was developed specifically for, and served almost exclusively on, theKiev-classaircraft carriers (heavyaviation cruiser in Russian classification).
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Designed by theA.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau, the first drawings showed asupersonic aircraft strongly resembling theHawker P.1154 in study in theUnited Kingdom, but with two R27-300 engines. Supersonic performance would have implied many difficulties of development, and it was decided to initially develop a relatively simple aircraft limited toMach 0.95. Although the Yak-38 and Yak-38M were developed from the land-basedYakovlev Yak-36, the aircraft had almost nothing in common.
The prototype VM-01 was finished on 14 April 1970. Though outwardly similar to the BritishHawker Siddeley Harrier, it followed a completely different configuration. Together with a vectorablethrust engine in the rear used during flight, two smaller, and less powerful, engines were housed in the front portion of thefuselage and used only during takeoff and landing.[note 1]
The Yak-38 had an automaticejection seat. If one of the takeoff engines failed or the aircraft rolled past 60 degrees the pilot was automatically ejected from the aircraft.
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The majority of Yak-36M initial production deliveries were to the 279OKShAP (Otdelny Korabelny Shturmovoy Aviatsionny Polk, Independent Shipboard Attack Air Regiment), initially based at Saki, the AV-MF's training centre inCrimea.
In July 1979,Minsk arrived in theSea of Japan, where the vessel was home-ported at Strelok Bay, the Yak-38 component of its air wing thereafter being provided by the 311OKShAP subordinate to thePacific Fleet.[clarification needed]
In September 1982,Novorossiysk – the thirdKiev-class carrier – was commissioned. By now the V/STOL technique had been well practiced, and the resulting increase in the Yak-38's overall performance and capability was exploited during the passage ofNovorossiysk from Severomorsk to join the Pacific Fleet. A pair of armed Yak-38s operating fromMinsk intercepted aircraft from the U.S. carrierEnterprise over theArabian Sea on 16 December 1982. This event marked the first time Soviet VTOL aircraft intercepted American aircraft while armed with missiles.[2]
In a maritime context, the Yak-38 was not limited to the decks ofKiev. In September 1983, AV-MF pilots operated from the civilianRo-Ro vesselAgostinho Neto, and NII-VVS (Air Force Scientific Test Institute) pilots conducted further tests from another Ro-Ro vessel,Nikolai Cherkasov. In both cases, use was made of a heat-resistant landing platform; further land-based trials tested the practicality of dispersed landing platforms, in a similar concept to the BritishRoyal Air Force's Harrier operations inWest Germany.[3]
The initial pre-production version, differing slightly from the Yak-38. It weighed 6,650 kg (14,660 lb) compared to the Yak-38's 7,370 kg (16,250 lb) and the engines were slightly less powerful.
The Yak-38 was the first production model, it first flew on 15 January 1971, and entered service with the Soviet Naval Aviation on 11 August 1976. A total of 143 Yak-38s were produced.
The Yak-38M was an upgraded version of the Yak-38, the main difference being the new Tumansky R-28V-300 andRybinsk RD-38 engines. The maximum takeoff weight in VTOL was increased from 10,300 kg (22,700 lb) to 11,300 kg (24,900 lb) and was 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) in short takeoff mode. The air intakes were slightly widened and the underwing pylons reinforced to carry a 2,000 lb (910 kg) weapons load. The Yak-38M entered service with theSoviet Naval Aviation after June 1985; 50 Yak-38M were produced.
Two-seat training version of the Soviet Naval Aviation. This version differed from the basic aircraft in having an enlarged fuselage to accommodate a two-seat cockpit. The Yak-38U entered service on 15 November 1978. Thirty-eight Yak-38U were produced, the final aircraft was delivered in 1981.
Multi-role VTOL fighter/attack aircraft project dating from 1983, employing one R-28V-300 and two RD-48 engines, PRNK-39 avionics suite; S-41D multi-mode radar, larger wing, increased fuel capacity and expanded weapons options based around Shkval or Kaira PGM designation systems.[3]
Data fromCombat Aircraft since 1945[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
