Yakovlev Yak-38 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yakovlev Yak-38 |
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| Yakovlev Yak-38 | |
| Role | Fighter and attack aircraft. |
| National origin | USSR |
| Manufacturer | Yakovlev |
| First flight | 1971 |
| Introduction | 1976 |
| Status | Out of service |
| Primary user | Soviet Navy. |
| Number built | 271 examples |
The Yakovlev Yak-38 was a special military airplane from the Soviet Union. It was designed to be both a fighter (for air battles) and an attack aircraft (for hitting targets on the ground or sea). What made it unique was its ability to take off and land straight up, like a helicopter! This is called vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The Soviet Navy was the only group that used this aircraft. It stopped being used in 1993. NATO, a military alliance, gave it the nickname Forger.
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What is the Yak-38?
The Yak-38 was a single-seat aircraft, meaning it only had room for one pilot. It was powered by a special type of engine called a turbojet. This engine gave it the power to fly very fast. The plane was built by the Yakovlev design bureau. They are famous for making many different types of aircraft.
How did it fly straight up?
The Yak-38 used a clever system to take off and land vertically. It had one main engine for forward flight. But it also had two smaller "lift engines" located behind the cockpit. These extra engines pointed downwards. When the pilot wanted to take off or land vertically, these lift engines would turn on. They would push the plane up or gently lower it down. This design allowed the Yak-38 to operate from small ships or places without long runways.
The main job of the Yak-38 was to fly from the Soviet Navy's aircraft carriers. These were not like the huge carriers used by some other countries. They were smaller ships. The Yak-38's ability to take off and land vertically was perfect for these smaller ships. It could protect the fleet and attack enemy ships or submarines.
Key facts about the Yak-38
- First Flight: The Yak-38 first flew in 1971. This was a big step for Soviet aviation.
- Introduced: It officially started service with the Soviet Navy in 1976.
- Number Built: A total of 271 Yak-38 aircraft were made.
- Retired: The aircraft was taken out of service in 1993. This was after the end of the Soviet Union.
Similar aircraft
- BAe Harrier: This is another famous aircraft that can take off and land vertically. It was made in the United Kingdom.
Images for kids
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A diagram showing the lift forces on a Yak-38 in VTOL mode
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A Soviet Yak-38 Forger with its landing gear down
See also
In Spanish: Yakovlev Yak-38 para niños
