| Yak-141 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Yakovlev Yak-141 at the 1992 Farnborough Airshow | |
| General information | |
| Type | VTOLfighter aircraft |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Yakovlev |
| Status | Cancelled in August 1991 |
| Primary user | Soviet Navy |
| Number built | 4[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] |
| History | |
| First flight | 9 March 1987 |
TheYakovlev Yak-141 (Russian:Яковлев Як-141;NATO reporting name "Freestyle"), also known as theYak-41, is a Sovietsupersonicvertical takeoff/landing (VTOL)fighter aircraft designed byYakovlev. Intended as a replacement for theYak-38, it was designed as a supersonic fleet defence fighter capable of STOVL/VTOL operating from Soviet carriers. Four prototypes were built before the project's cancellation.[9][page needed]
Known internally as "Product 48", the Yak-41 was intended to replace the Yak-38 in service with the Soviet Navy. It went through significant design evolution. Configurations studied by Yakovlev included a twin-engine configuration, which was rejected due to asymmetric thrust issues in the event of an engine failure during landing, and a single-engined configuration, with lift jets to allow for vertical takeoff and landing, was selected.[9][page needed]
The engines were controlled digitally; manuverability during the hover was provided by reaction control jets, using excess airflow from the engines, located at the wingtips and under the nose.[9][page needed] The pressurised cockpit was fitted with an automaticejection seat; the automatic functionality would be armed when the engine duct was rotated past 30° when at an airspeed of less than 300 kilometres per hour (160 kn; 190 mph). The prototypes had a cockpit arrangement similar to that of the Yak-38M; the production aircraft were planned to be fitted with an entirely new digital system including ahelmet-mounted sight.[9][page needed] The aircraft's landing gear was of the tricycle type; the nosewheel retracted to the rear, the main wheels retracting forwards.[9][page needed]
The wing was mounted high on the fuselage, and was foldable to allow for compact storage on boardaircraft carriers. The main engine was aTumansky R-79V-300, while the lift jets were a pair ofRybinsk (RKBM) RD-41s, installed at an angle of 85° in the forwards fuselage behind the cockpit.[9][page needed]
Four prototypes were built; the first was a static-test article, the second a nonflying testbed, while the third and fourth prototypes would be used for flight testing[9][page needed]
The first flight took place on in 9 March 1987 atZhukovsky; the aircraft first undertook hovering flight on 29 December 1989, with the first full transition from vertical to horizontal flight taking place on 13 June 1990. Trials on the mockup aircraft carrier deck atSaky began in April 1991. Results of the testing were considered satisfactory, with the aircraft's combat maneuverability regarded as excellent.[9][page needed] Twelve world records were set during flight testing; as the aircraft's designation of Yak-41 was considered classified, the records were declared as having been set by the "Yak-141".[9][page needed]
The first landing aboard the Russian aircraft carrierAdmiral Gorshkov took place on 26 September 1991, using the second (first flying) prototype; the other flying prototype landed aboard an hour later. Eight flights from the ship were completed before 5 October, when following a hard landing a fuel tank ruptured, the aircraft catching fire and the pilot ejecting. The aircraft was later repaired for display.[9][page needed] Later in October 1991 the program was suspended due to a lack of funds.[9][page needed]
With the fall of the Soviet Union,Lockheed Aircraft entered a partnership with Yakovlev in 1991 for further development of the aircraft, now officially redesignated Yak-141; the partnership would not be announced by Yakovlev until 6 September 1992 and not confirmed by Lockheed until June 1994.[9][page needed] The remaining intact protoype was displayed at theFarnborough Airshow in 1992.[9][page needed] It was announced that the joint venture would result in the construction of three additional prototypes and an additional static test aircraft, one a two-seat trainer version, and all with an increase in their gross weight,[9][page needed] however no additional aircraft were ever built.
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Data from Yak-141[12] Gunston,[9]: 191–193 Winchester, Yak-141 'Freestyle',[13] Combat Aircraft since 1945[14]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
