Yakovlev Yak-141

The Yakovlev Yak-141 (NATO reporting name Freestyle) was a supersonic VTOL fighter aircraft from the Soviet Union that was abandoned before entering production.

The program was initiated in 1975 as the Yak-41, a development of the Yak-38. The first conventional flight was accomplished on March 9 1987 and the first hovering flight on December 29 1989. The Yak-141 designation was adopted around 1991.

The VTOL ability is reached by a lift and lift/cruise engine who configuration, similarly to the F-35. Two lift jets are mounted behind the cockpit. In the horizontal flight, these are switched off. The main engine is installed in the rear fuselage area, with a swiveling nozzle and an afterburner. For hovering flight the exhaust gas jet is vectored downward around 90°.

The Yak-141 was capable of speeds up to Mach 1.7, and would have had a maneuverability comparable to the MiG-29

In August 1991 the program was stopped because of the shrinking military budget of the Soviet Union.

Specifications

• First Flight(STOL): 9 March 1989
• First Flight(VTOL): 29 December 1989
• Entered Service: project stopped
• Manufacturer: Yakovlev
• Crew
  • 1 Pilot
• Engines: 1 x MNPK Soyuz R-79V-300 and 2 x RKBM RD-41 turbofans
• Dimensions
  • Length: 60 ft (18.3 m)
  • Wingspan: 84.7 ft (13.97 m)
  • Height: 33.15 ft (5 m)
  • Wing Area: 341 ft² (31.7 m²)
• Weights
  • Empty: 25385 lb (11650 kg)
  • Takeoff (VTOL): 34835 lb (1580 kg)
  • Takeoff (STOL): 42990 lb (19500 kg)
  • Fuel intern: 9700 lb (4400 kg)
  • Fuel extern: 3860 lb (1750 kg)
  • Payload extern: 15000 lb (9221 kg)
• Performance
  • Maximum Speed (36000 ft): Mach 1,7
  • Combat Range: 755 nm (1400 km) with max Payload
  • Ferry Range: 1133 nm (2100 km)
  • Service Ceiling: 49215 ft (15000 m)

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