Jakowlew / Yakovlev Jak-38 / Yak-38

VTOL Fighter

Yakovlev Yak-38 / Jakowlew Jak-38 © Alexander Marcenco
Photo ©: Alexander Marcenco (Photos at airliners.net)
The Yakovlev Yak-38 is a three-engine single-seat vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) carrier-based fighter aircraft developed by the Soviet Design Bureau OKB Yakovlev (OKB-115).
The Yak-38 was the Soviet Naval Aviation's first and only operational VTOL fighter aircraft. The both Rybinsk RD-38 engines are only used for vertical lift.
Crew1
Propulsion1 Turbofan Engine
Engine ModelTumansky R-28 V-300
Engine Power66,7 kN14995 lbf
additonal engines2 Turbofan Rybinsk RD-38 (31,9 kN / 7171 lbf)
Speed1050 km/h567 kts
  652 mph
Service Ceiling11.000 m36.089 ft
Range1.300 km702 NM
808 mi.
Empty Weight7.385 kg16.281 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight11.300 kg24.912 lbs
Wing Span7,32 m24 ft 0 in
Wing Area18,5 m²199 ft²
Length16,37 m53 ft 8 in
Height4,25 m13 ft 11 in
First Flight1971
Production Statusout of production
Production Range1973-1988
Total Production231
ICAO CodeYK38
NATO CodeForger
Data for (Version)Yakovlev Yak-38M / Jakowlew Jak-38M