Yak-38 Forger
Yak-38 (NATO reporting name Forger) was Soviet Union's first and only operational VTOL multi-role combat aircraft.
The prototype Yak-38 flew for the first time in 1971. It based on the technology demonstrator Yakovlev Yak-36.
Sea trials aboard the VTOL carrier Kiev were observed in 1975.
About 75 Yak-38 aircraft were produced, including a small number of
two-seat trainers (Yak-38U). These were based on 4 Kiev class aircraft carriers.
In the mid-1990's these carriers were withdrawn from service, together with their Yak-38s.
The plane's operational effectiveness was limited and it was considerably inferior
to its Western contemporary, the Harrier. The Forger was deficient in speed, weapons, and range compared to the Harrier. It relied on fixed vertical lift fans for vertical flight that were dead weight in horizontal flight. The Soviets were developing a greatly superior successor in the Yakovlev Yak-141,
but that program came to an end with the fall of the Soviet Union.
Description
- Manufacturer: Yakovlev
- Crew
- Yak-38M: 1 Pilot; Yak-38U: 2 Pilots
- Engines: one 14,991 lbf (66 kN) thrust Tumanskii R-27V-300 vectored-thrust turbojet and two 7,870 lbf (37 kN) thrust Koliesov ZM lift turbojets.
- Dimensions
- Length: 50.1 ft (15.5 m)
- Height: 14.4 ft (4.37 m)
- Wingspan: 24 ft (7.32 m)
- Wing Area: 199 ft² (18.5 m²)
- Weights
- Empty: 16,281 lb (7,385 kg)
- Armament ext.: Four underwing hardpoints for up to 2000 kg (4410 lb)
- Armament: 7,937 lb (3,600 kg)
- Takeoff (VTO): 25,794 lb (11,700 kg)
- Takeoff (STO): 28,660 lb (13,000 kg)
- Performance
- Maximum Speed (36000 ft): 627 mph (1110 km/h)
- Combat Range: 229 miles (370 km) with maximum warload
- Service Ceiling: 39,370 ft (12,000 m)
- Rate of Climb: 14765 ft/min (4500 m/min)
