Fighter Jets
Yakovlev Yak-28
ICAO: YK28
Overview
The Yakovlev Yak-38 was developed in the 1970s as a vertical takeoff and landing fighter for Soviet aircraft carriers. Designed to operate from smaller decks, it marked the Soviet Union’s first operational VTOL combat aircraft. The aircraft served primarily in naval aviation units.
Live Fleet Activity (YK38)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × Rybinsk RD-38 turbojet and 1 Tumansky R-28 V-300 turbofan (15,000 lbf)
- Engine type
- Jet
- Thrust
- 2 × 7,200 lbf · 32 kN
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 1
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 53 ft 8 in · 16.37 m
- Tail height
- 13 ft 11 in · 4.25 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 2 ft 11 in · 0.90 m
- Wing span
- 24 ft 0 in · 7.32 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 24,900 lb · 11,300 kg
- Max landing weight
- 24,900 lb · 11,300 kg
- Max payload
- 3,000 lb · 1,350 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 1,010 gal · 3,800 L · 3,100 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 690 kt · 794 mph · 1,278 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 700 nm · 810 mi · 1,300 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 39,350 ft · 12,000 m
- Rate of climb
- 14,800 ft/min · 75 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
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Operational Context
Yakovlev Yak-38 — VTOL naval fighter
The Yak-38 first flew in 1971 and entered service in 1976. It employed a single main engine for forward thrust and two lift jets for vertical operations. The design emphasized short-deck compatibility over high-speed performance.
A Tumansky turbojet engine providing forward thrust of approximately 15,000 pounds (67 kN), supplemented by two vertical lift engines, powered the aircraft. Maximum speed approached Mach 0.95. Typical takeoff weight exceeded 25,000 pounds (11,340 kg).
The Yak-38 operated from Kiev-class carriers but faced limitations in range and payload. It was eventually withdrawn in the early 1990s. The aircraft represents an early Soviet attempt at carrier-based VTOL capability.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.