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Yak-38 Yakovlev
Yak-38
ASCC codename: Forger
Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION:
Yakovlev developed the Yak-38 based on the experimental Yak-36 V/STOL research aircraft. Originally known as the Yak-36MP in the West, the Yak-38 was the first production vertical takeoff/landing aircraft built by the Soviet Union. Similar to the British Harrier, the Yak-38 was built to operate from the Soviet medium-sized Kiev class aircraft carriers. The design was never terribly popular with pilots and was due to be replaced by the advanced Yak-141 until government funding for that project was cancelled. The Kiev class carrier fleet is no longer operational, and the Yak-38 was likely retired by the early 1990s. A total of about 230 aircraft were built.
Last modified 29 August 2010

HISTORY:

First Flight 1972

Service Entry

1976

CREW: one: pilot

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root TsAGI SR-9S

Wing Tip TsAGI SR-9S

DIMENSIONS:

Length 50.81 ft (15.5 m)

Wingspan 24.00 ft (7.32 m)

Height 14.42 ft (4.40 m)

Wing Area 199 ft² (18.5 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty 16,500 lb (7,485 kg)

Normal Takeoff unknown

Max Takeoff 25,795 lb (11,700 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: unknown
external: unknown

Max Payload

4,410 lb (2,000 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant one R27-B-300 turbofan (main propulsion) and two RD38 lift jets

Thrust (R27) 15,000 lb (66.7 kN)
(RD38) 7,170 lb (31.9 kN) each

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 655 mph (1,050 km/h)
at sea level: 700 mph (1,125 km/h), Mach 0.8

Initial Climb Rate 14,765 ft (4,500 m) / min

Service Ceiling 39,370 ft (12,000 m)

Range typical: 270 nm (500 km)
ferry: 370 nm (670 km)

g-Limits unknown

ARMAMENT:

Gun one 30-mm cannon

Stations four external hardpoints

Air-to-Air Missile K-13/AA-2 Atoll, AA-8 Aphid

Air-to-Surface Missile unknown

Bomb BETAB-250 anti-runway, FAB-500 500 kg GP

Other rocket pods, GSh-23 23-mm twin-barrel gun pod

KNOWN VARIANTS:

Yak-36 'Freehand' V/STOL test aircraft

Yak-36MP 'Forger' Original designation for an improved V/STOL fighter building on experience with the Yak-36 research aircraft

Yak-38 'Forger-A' First production fighter model

Yak-38U 'Forger-B' Two-seat trainer

Yak-38M Late production one-seat model

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:

Afghanistan War (Soviet Union, 1980)

KNOWN OPERATORS:

Russia, Aviatsiya Voyenno-Morskoyo Flota Sily Rossii (Russian Naval Aviation)
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Aviatsiya Voyenno-Morskoyo Flota (Soviet Naval Aviation)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Yak-38

SOURCES:

Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 351.

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 919-920.

Gunston, Bill and Spick, Mike. Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Combat Today. NY: Crescent Books, 1983, p. 170-171.

Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery

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	Yakovlev Yak-38 ASCC codename: Forger Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION: Yakovlev developed the Yak-38 based on the experimental Yak-36 V/STOL research aircraft. Originally known as the Yak-36MP in the West, the Yak-38 was the first production vertical takeoff/landing aircraft built by the Soviet Union. Similar to the British Harrier, the Yak-38 was built to operate from the Soviet medium-sized Kiev class aircraft carriers. The design was never terribly popular with pilots and was due to be replaced by the advanced Yak-141 until government funding for that project was cancelled. The Kiev class carrier fleet is no longer operational, and the Yak-38 was likely retired by the early 1990s. A total of about 230 aircraft were built. Last modified 29 August 2010
HISTORY:
First Flight	1972
Service Entry	1976
CREW:	one: pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	TsAGI SR-9S
Wing Tip	TsAGI SR-9S
DIMENSIONS:
Length	50.81 ft (15.5 m)
Wingspan	24.00 ft (7.32 m)
Height	14.42 ft (4.40 m)
Wing Area	199 ft² (18.5 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	16,500 lb (7,485 kg)
Normal Takeoff	unknown
Max Takeoff	25,795 lb (11,700 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: unknown external: unknown
Max Payload	4,410 lb (2,000 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	one R27-B-300 turbofan (main propulsion) and two RD38 lift jets
Thrust	(R27) 15,000 lb (66.7 kN) (RD38) 7,170 lb (31.9 kN) each
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 655 mph (1,050 km/h) at sea level: 700 mph (1,125 km/h), Mach 0.8
Initial Climb Rate	14,765 ft (4,500 m) / min
Service Ceiling	39,370 ft (12,000 m)
Range	typical: 270 nm (500 km) ferry: 370 nm (670 km)
g-Limits	unknown
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 30-mm cannon
Stations	four external hardpoints
Air-to-Air Missile	K-13/AA-2 Atoll, AA-8 Aphid
Air-to-Surface Missile	unknown
Bomb	BETAB-250 anti-runway, FAB-500 500 kg GP
Other	rocket pods, GSh-23 23-mm twin-barrel gun pod
KNOWN VARIANTS:
Yak-36 'Freehand'	V/STOL test aircraft
Yak-36MP 'Forger'	Original designation for an improved V/STOL fighter building on experience with the Yak-36 research aircraft
Yak-38 'Forger-A'	First production fighter model
Yak-38U 'Forger-B'	Two-seat trainer
Yak-38M	Late production one-seat model
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	Afghanistan War (Soviet Union, 1980)
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Russia, Aviatsiya Voyenno-Morskoyo Flota Sily Rossii (Russian Naval Aviation) Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Aviatsiya Voyenno-Morskoyo Flota (Soviet Naval Aviation)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 351. Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 919-920. Gunston, Bill and Spick, Mike. Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Combat Today. NY: Crescent Books, 1983, p. 170-171. Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery