War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

F-20A

2024-09-17T09:27:05Z

U171985807: /* Armaments */ Update Dance of Dragons

{{Specs-Card
|code=f_20a
|store=13237
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

Due to export restrictions by the Department of Defence preventing sales of advanced avionics and aircraft to export customers, many allies who were flying the now out-dated F-5 could not purchase the latest F-16 aircraft to meet the threat of the latest MiG-29s and Su-27s that Soviet allies were receiving. As a result, Northrop Grumman initiated the FX program, to design and build a new 4th light export generation fighter on the basis of the cancelled F-5F Super Tiger. The primary requirements for this new fighter were cheap interoperability with existing F-5 fleets, BVR capability, and modular compatibility with almost every kind of ordnance the US offered for export at the time. The resulting aircraft, the '''F-20 Tigershark''', was essentially an F-5E with a special radar capable of firing the AIM-7 Sparrow missile, and the two small engines of the F-5 family being replaced with a single F-404 engine similar to that of the F/A-18 Hornet. The resulting aircraft was slated to become the export standard for most NATO allies of the time, with Japan, West Germany, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and various other close allies eyeing the Tigershark for potential purchase. However, under the Reagan Administration, new export laws were passed which lifted most of the technology export bans, and as a result of further political meddling from the US and General Dynamics, the F-20 saw all its sale chances falter and fall through, with almost every country instead buying F-16s or F-15s (or in the case of Germany, simply upgrading their existing F-4F fleet to carry the new AIM-120 AMRAAM).

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was introduced in [[Update "Alpha Strike"]]. Being essentially an up-engined F-5E with better avionics, it plays exactly as one would expect it. It is one of the better dogfighters of its battle rating, as a result, players looking for buying this aircraft should be expected to know how to properly dogfight, manage their energy, and employ their radar correctly to best the enemy aircraft. The incredible choice of ground ordnance also provides a nice alternative to the [[F-16A|F-16A Block 10]] in mixed battles. All in all, the F-20 is a great premium for researching the ranks of the US tree, and in terms of gameplay acts as a nice in-between for the two F-16s at the same BR in the American tree, having the AIM-7s and BVR capability of the F-16A ADF, while also having the guided ground ordnance of the F-16A Block 10.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The F-20 is a similar experience in terms of flight performance compared to the F-5C, with great energy retention and turn rate above Mach 0.85. However, due to the F404-100, it has plenty of thrust compared to the lacklustre thrust of the F5C.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed<br>(km/h at 11,582 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,149 || 2,121 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.5 || 22.7 || 221 || 210 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,244 || 2,200 || 21.0 || 22.0 || 288.5 || 255.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,458  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 1,296 || 473 || 463 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric F404-GE-100 || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,080 kg || colspan="2" | 437 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross<br>Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 28m fuel
|-
| 1,015 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 6,694 kg || 7,539 kg || 8,127 kg || 10,744 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 28m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 5,050 kgf || 7,630 kgf
| 1.14 || 1.01 || 0.94 || 0.70
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 5,050 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 8,503 kgf<br>(1,000 km/h)
| 1.27 || 1.13 || 1.05 || 0.78
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The F-20 is a light fighter. As such it has no armour. If it loses its wing or tail, it becomes incredibly difficult to fly. It isn't that durable against common cannons for its BR, however it's possible to survive smaller IR missiles but the plane would no longer be combat capable and should immediately return to the base.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|M39A3 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 20 mm M39A3 cannons, nose-mounted (230 rpg = 460 total)
* 15 x large calibre countermeasures
* 30 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="6%" | 1 !! width="6%" | 2 !! width="6%" | 3 !! width="6%" | 4 !! width="6%" | 5 !! width="6%" | 6 !! width="6%" | 7
| rowspan="14" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_F-5E_(China).png]]</div>
|-
! [[GAU-13/A (30 mm)|30 mm GAU-13/A]] cannons (353 rpg)
| || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|500 lb LDGP Mk 82]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1, 5 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[Mk 82 Snakeye (500 lb)|500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1, 5 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83]] bombs
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 84 Air (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 Air]] bombs
| || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)|2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84]] bombs
| || || || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[BLU-1 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || 19 || 19 || || 19 || 19 ||
|-
! [[AGM-65B]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[AIM-7F Sparrow]] missiles
| || 1 || || || || 1 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 || 2* || || || || 2* || 1
|-
! 150 gal drop tanks
| || || 1* || 1 || 1* || ||
|-
| colspan="9" | * Wing-mounted drop tanks cannot be equipped with Sidewinder missiles in the adjacent hardpoint
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 3 x 150 gal drop tanks
* 6 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AIM-7F Sparrow missiles
* 5 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (3,750 lb total)
* 9 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 9 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 76 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 4 x AGM-65B missiles
* 1 x 30 mm GAU-13/A cannon (353 rpg)
* 5 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 Air bomb (2,000 lb total)
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==


The F-20A can be viewed as both a sidegrade between F-16A and F-16A ADF and a downgrade in US tech tree as it can carry similar armaments to both of them but not to same capacity as either of them. While it can carry almost same payload type as F-16A (excluding GBU-8) it can only carry it in lower numbers which severely limits air-to-ground performance, but unlike F-16A or F-16A ADF it can carry both radar guided missiles and TV-guided AGM to a certain extent.

Best way to take down other planes is to use speed and surprise occupied enemy planes with either the Sparrow (only at altitudes several hundred meters above ground) or Sidewinders but with IR missiles be careful that friendly plane in question isn't the F-14, Su-27 or MiG-29 which have fairly high engine temperature and could result in friendly fire instead.

'''Dogfighting'''

While F-20A has good flight performance and thrust-to-weight ratio that allows the plane to dogfight inexperienced F-16 and F-14 players, trying to fight more experienced players can end fairly badly for F-20A as planes such as the F-14B and all F-16 variants will eventually out-rate the F-20 in a sustained dogfight.

Head-ons are not recommended as the M39A3 is one of the weaker gun in the BR bracket and mounting 30 mm GAU-13/A cannon would only greatly decrease F-20A flight performance to add only 353 30 mm shells.

'''Air-to-air missile gameplay'''

F-20A has very limited gameplay in that aspect as it can carry only 6 AIM-9L or exchange 2 Sidewinders for 1 AIM-7F up to combination of 2 Sidewinders and 2 Sparrows. Sadly the F-20A does not have access to AIM-7M unlike F-16A ADF or F-14B which have far lower reaction time after being detached from the plane.

As the plane can gain energy faster than any plane on same BR, it's advised to surprise enemy with AIM-9L or target higher altitude targets with AIM-7F, while keeping safe distance from possible IR threats and staying at low altitude as the enemy planes usually have stronger radar guided missiles.

As the plane has access only to 45 countermeasures, it may not be preferential to split the amount between flares and chaffs as the radars encountered at this BR are usually pulse-doppler, where chaffs have minimal effect and low-alt flights and notching can work instead. Instead, bring flares as the number of tough IR missiles like R-73, AIM-9M, and similar missiles mean the F-20A need all it can bring to ward off these smart IR missiles.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Incredible overall flight performance with very good thrust-to-weight ratio with great energy retention
* Can stay at supersonic speed without using afterburner
* Combat flaps are capable of withstanding plane top speed
* Very small target compared to all planes it the BR bracket
* Combination of high manoeuvrability and even mediocre missile payload can surprise most enemies resulting in fairly easy shoot-downs.

'''Cons:'''

* Loses 2 hardpoints for AIM-9L for every AIM-7F
* M39A3 cannons deal very low damage
* Overall one of the worst air-to-air armaments when compared to planes on same BR
* Can carry only 45 countermeasures
* While it can maintain very low speed and not stalling, it does not have as good low-speed manoeuvrability as other planes

== History ==

In the 1980s, the U.S. State Department sent out a request for an export fighter. In response, Northrop came up with the F-5G, which would be a vastly improved version of the F-5E. After receiving approval from the State Department, Northrop, without financial help from the government, began work on the F-5G. Up to this point, F-5s had twin J85 engines that produced around 3,000 kilograms of force per engine. These engines would end up being replaced by a single F404 engine that produced far more power at the expense of weighing more. Northrop also heavily modified the wings to increase performance and handling. In addition, the avionics were upgraded, and soon the Air Force ordered a few examples of the F-5G. The F-5G would also receive a new designation to separate it from the F-5 series, the F-20.

Although the F-20 had favorable characteristics, it was overshadowed by the F-16. The Fighting Falcon was simply far superior to the F-20, and the Air Force chose the F-16. This essentially killed the F-20, as there wouldn't be enough demand for it to commence production. Northrop also tried selling the entire F-20 program, but that also failed. Only one surviving F-20 exists and is on display in the California Science Center.

=== [[wt:en/news/8770-shop-development-pre-order-f-20a-tigershark-en|Devblog]] ===
Engineers from Northrop Corporation developed the F-20A Tigershark as a deep modernization of the F-5G fighter with improved flight and characteristics at a low cost. This new aircraft received a new power plant consisting of a single General Electric F404-100 engine, advanced avionics and radar, plus an expanded range of weapons. It made its first flight in 1982, where a total of 3 were built for testing. At the time of its creation, the F-20A was a direct competitor to the F-16 fighter jet, but was inferior to it and did not go into mass production. The only surviving F-20A was transferred to the California Science Center and is currently on display as an exhibit.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f_20a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F-5 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8770-shop-development-pre-order-f-20a-tigershark-en|[Devblog] Pre-order: F-20A Tigershark]]

{{AirManufacturer Northrop}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

F-104C

2024-09-17T09:24:45Z

U171985807: /* Suspended armament */ Update Dancing Dragons change

{{About
| about = American jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-104 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=f-104c
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The F-104C mainly differs from early variants by being able to carry ground munitions. Although it may have seemed strange considering the overall unstable nature of the Starfighter, the Tactical Air Command decided to propose a ground striker version of the Starfighter. Almost 80 F-104Cs were ordered and had its first flight in 1958. More orders were planned until Starfighter production was rejected. The F-104C also features a better engine that increased thrust by about 7% thanks to the 3-inch increase in the turbine's diameter. Minor changes included an inflight refuelling probe and a better fire control system. The F-104Cs saw service in Vietnam where they were soon replaced by the superior F-4D Phantom. The Starfighter always had a troubled history and the F-104C was no exception despite the various improvements.

Introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]], the '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a sleek, fast jet also capable of carrying a decent bomb load and rockets. The main difference between the F-104C and F-104A is the ability to carry ground attack munitions like 750 lb bombs, FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets, and BLU-1 incendiary bombs. The F-104C also retains the ability to carry two AIM-9B Sidewinders and houses the improved M61A1 cannon. The F-104C is a dangerous aircraft at its battle rating but becomes hopelessly outclassed in uptiers due to the lack of flares and improved missiles.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,097 || 2,070 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.5 || 34.9 || 203.3 || 194.7 || rowspan="2" | 1,200
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,188 || 2,142 || 33.6 || 34.0 || 269.3 || 235.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,527  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 827 || 444 || ~13 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 720 || < 950 || < 800 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | General Electric J79-GE-7a || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,235 kg || colspan="3" | 514 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br>Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
|-
| 1,540 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 7,027 kg || 7,740 kg || 8,493 kg || 8,874 kg || 24,000 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,171 kgf || 6,540 kgf
| 0.93 || 0.84 || 0.77 || 0.74 || 0.27
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,171 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 8,544 kgf<br>(1,200 km/h)
| 1.22 || 1.10 || 1.01 || 0.96 || 0.36
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

In terms of armour, there is no armour on the F-104C. Since the F-104C relies on high speed, it wouldn't need armour as that would reduce the speed and manoeuvrability of the plane. The F-104C is a very long plane and it is not very manoeuvrable, making it a large, easy target for enemy guns. As such, the only characteristic that should be relied upon for survivability is the plane's speed. It is very quick, and as such is hard to catch.

* No armour
* Self-sealing fuel tanks

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|M61A1 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon, chin-mounted (750 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="6" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|750 lb M117 cone 45]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[BLU-1 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || || 1 ||
|-
! [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] rockets
| || 19 || || 19 ||
|-
! [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles
| 1 ||1|| ||1|| 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
* 2 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==


The F-104 is an interceptor which relies solely on its extremely high speed and acceleration. This great speed comes with a great cost; the F-104 undoubtedly has the worst overall turn rate at high tiers (and perhaps in the whole game as well). Keep that in mind when playing it. It is highly recommended not to dogfight in the F-104 as you aren't out-turning anything, and even if you have someone energy trapped, it is hard to capitalize on it as the F-104's manoeuvrability is just so poor. Additionally, if someone gets on your tail, there isn't much you can do. While the F-104 does have a good roll rate, the turning capability makes it so it cannot effectively perform defensive manoeuvres. Even if you manage to get a tailing enemy to overshoot, the F-104 can't turn well enough to use the opportunity to attack.

Due to this, the best way to play the F-104 is to keep its speed up as much as possible and at all times. You will want to play the F-104 primarily in the support role as either a boom and zoom fighter or a hit and run fighter, picking on slow enemies that are preferably distracted and already engaged in a dogfight with teammates. This strategy prioritizes that no enemy gets on a slow F-104's tail, because as discussed before, there is little one can do once this happens. This also means that the F-104 is very team-reliant in most battles, as it does not fare well in any 1v1 scenario. As the F-104's poor manoeuvrability is a well-known weakness, if needed this can be used to bait slower enemy fighters for your teammates. By slowing down to near an enemy fighter's speed and turning, you can fool them into thinking they have you in a turn when in reality you can keep the distance from closing using your acceleration.

At its BR, the F-104C will likely always be the fastest plane on the battlefield. In downtiers, its speed makes it nearly untouchable. However, don't think this means you can carry your team. The F-104's extremely poor manoeuvrability not only means it is highly disadvantaged in a dogfight, but that it also has small nose authority and thus the window to take shots at enemies at higher speeds is small. This means that, when presented with high-angle shots, you may need to turn your aircraft in advance to get the shot.

In an uptier, the F-104 becomes outclassed. Some other fighters can somewhat keep up with its speed while also being much more manoeuvrable and having better missiles. In uptiers, your lack of flares means that a solid launch of the most manoeuvrable missiles found in an uptier (AIM-9J/G/L, R-60/R-60Ms, Magic 1s) mean a nearly unavoidable death. This means that in uptiers, it will be the same support strategy as discussed before, except you will need to be more cautious. The only thing you have is, again, your speed, which will still be strongly competitive. It will be especially important to keep this speed as high as possible at all times. To avoid missiles, you will want to keep your distance from the more dangerous missile-wielding enemies while being cautious and waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Again, slow and/or distracted enemies will ideally be your targets. Fast planes and planes with excellent missiles like the [[MiG-19S (Germany)|MiG-19S]], [[MiG-21F-13]], [[Yak-38]], [[Yak-38M]], [[A-5C]], etc. should be prioritized as main threats. Attack when you are sure no one can or will bother to follow you or launch a missile at you.

For the F-104C's gun, it gets the powerful M61 Vulcan rotary cannon. This is arguably one of the best aircraft guns in the game and sports an extremely high rate of fire, high velocity, and high damage. Its only downside is that it only gets 750 rounds of ammunition; while it may seem like a lot, the cannon's extreme fire rate sees that it gets depleted quicker than one would expect. Since this will be your primary weapon when engaging enemy fighters, you should maintain trigger discipline when using it. As for your missiles, you have two AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. These are the basic air-to-air missile and as such aren't very strong. They don't turn well and are sensitive to flares. Due to this, they shouldn't be your main weapon, but they are better than nothing, and can sometimes be useful. They should be launched only when needed, such as at long ranges, at distracted enemies, or to make an enemy drop speed.

In the ground attack role, there are many better choices than the F-104C (such as the F3H-2, F-100D or A-4E), though, unlike the preceding F-104A, the F-104C isn't completely helpless when it comes to the task. It can carry either 3x 750lb bombs, 38x FFAR rockets, or 2x Napalm bombs. Since only 38 rockets can be carried (which even in higher quantities aren't very powerful), it isn't recommended to take them. Napalm can be used to bomb bases in air RB, but in ground RB it has little overall use and shouldn't be taken. This leaves the only acceptable option being the 3x 750lb bombs. These 750lb bombs have an adequate explosion size which is enough to reliably destroy tanks. The two wing-mounted bombs drop together first, followed by the single centerline one, giving two bomb drops. Since the F-104C lacks the luxury of a ballistic computer, you must manually calculate the point of impact for the bombs and rockets. Additionally, the M61 Cannon has decent penetration and can be used to attack lighter targets or the roofs of MBTs, and the two wingtip AIM-9B sidewinders can be taken with any of these for some semblance of multi-role capability. After you drop the bombs, you can either use the cannon for strafing, or you can use the cannon and missiles to engage enemy aircraft (the M61 cannon is great for taking out helicopters).The F-104C's speed will help it get in and out of the battlefield quickly, and the RWR is a helpful tool to alert you of SPAA and SAMs. Keep the F-104C's bad manoeuvrability in mind when doing ground attack runs, as it will prove fatal if you don't pull up in time.

=== Radars ===

The F-104C is equipped with an AN/ASG-14 search and track radar mounted in the nose of the aircraft. This is a relatively simple radar. It has one search mode, which scans 45 degrees to each side and continuously scans from 47 degrees below the radar to 90 degrees above the radar. Its tracking mode can only lock targets directly in front of the aircraft, and upon a successful lock only a diagram showing the angle and range to the target aircraft is displayed; no numbers are shown on the diagram and no lock box is shown around the target in third person. Despite these limitations, the radar is still useful for locating enemies at longer ranges or through clouds. However, the radar will alert enemies with radar warning receivers, so if it is not needed or you are attempting to ambush an enemy, it should be turned off.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/ASG-14 - Target Detection Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum<br/>Detection<br/>Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
! {{Annotation|Guaranteed<br/>Detection<br/>Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
! {{Annotation|Max Azimuth<br/>Scan Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
! {{Annotation|Max Elevation<br/>Scan Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan (widest search mode)}}
|-
| 37,000 m || 15,000 m || ±45° || ±45°
|-
! colspan="4" | AN/ASG-14 - Target Tracking Radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum<br/>Tracking<br/>Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum<br/>Tracking<br/>Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking<br/>Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking<br/>Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 18,500 m || 150 m || ±10° || ±10°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent top speed and acceleration
* Excellent climb rate
* Good roll rate
* Powerful M61 Vulcan cannon with a very high rate of fire, great ballistics and high damage
* Availability of ground attack ordnance

'''Cons:'''

* Very poor overall manoeuvrability and terrible low-speed manoeuvrability
* The cannon's high rate of fire forces the player to have some trigger discipline
* AIM-9B missiles can be easily dodged
* Lacks countermeasures

== History ==

The brainchild of famed Lockheed engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, after having spoken to USAF pilots about their experience in the Korean Air War, the F-104 Starfighter was innovative in both its design and speed. Developed from the start as a daytime air-superiority fighter with speed in mind, the Starfighter began life at Lockheed's famous "Skunk Works" facility in 1952 to combat the Soviets' new age of supersonic jet fighters. The aircraft would incorporate the smallest airframe, combined with the most technologically advanced turbojet at the time, to create the base of what would become the F-104.

In 1953, the USAF showed interest in the project, and proposed an open contest with Lockheed and multiple other firms for a supersonic interceptor, based wholly on performance. Lockheed evidently won the contest and approval for two prototypes to be produced and, in February of 1954, took flight for the first time. Although it was slated to be fitted with the General Electric J79 turbofan, due to shortages of the engines the prototypes were mated to a license-built variant of the British Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire engine, called the Wright XJ65-W-6, until the initial power-plant was available. The aircraft however was not without its problems, resulting in a four-year long developmental period for the aircraft. By the end of it, 17 pre-production YF-104As had been built, tested, and used to iron out any problems that would be noticeable on the final F-104. In 1958, the F-104 would finally be available for deliveries featuring some differences from the initial prototypes in the form of a longer fuselage as well as the fitting of General Electric J79GE-3 engines putting out a whopping 14,800 lbs of thrust.

From the start the F-104A smashed records, taking the record as the first operational fighter in service to succeed Mach 2, as well as going on to take the records for both altitude and speed in both the F-104A and F-104C variants respectively. On May 7th, 1958, Maj. Howard C. Johnson, in his F-104A, set a new world altitude record at 91,243 feet, and 11 days later another aircraft set a new speed record at 1,403.19 mph. The altitude record was later bested by another variant of the aircraft, the F-104C, at a whopping altitude of 103,389 feet. In the 1950s, the aircraft had come to be exactly what the public had expected a fighter of this magnitude to look like. With a long, pencil shaped fuselage with short, sharp edged wings it encompassed the era of space flight and Sci-Fi with its design. The wings were one of the most unique parts of the aircraft, as well as its long fuselage taken up mostly by its large engine and fuel storage, and were only 4 inches and its thickest. Sweeping was only utilized on the leading edge, and a slight anhedral was in place to combat "Dutch Roll", a phenomenon where the aircraft rocks side-to-side uncontrollably. The wings, while helping with supersonic flight, were harmful to ground crews, and special equipment had to be issued to service these areas.

While having a history of accidents and high pilot attrition, the aircraft was fitted with an ejection seat. Due to the great speed of the aircraft at Mach 2, it was believed that the seat wouldn't have enough time to clear the tail section in an ejection scenario. Therefore, a downward firing ejection seat known as the Stanley C-1 was fitted into early models of the F-104. While a good idea, and in theory could work, the C-1 was also believed harmful in the case of a low-altitude ejection of the aircraft. After a failed introduction of the Stanley C-2 ejection seat, the problem was finally solved by the introduction of the Martin-Baker ejection system, particularly in foreign-operator's Starfighters. Roughly 153 F-104As were produced, with 26 more being F-104B two-seat variants. The F-104A spend a short time in USAF service before being send to Air National Guard (ANG) units, which some others being sent to foreign operators which had some success in their service. In September of 1958 the USAF would get the F-104C, a dedicated fighter-bomber variant designed for the USAF's Tactical Air Command's 479th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The F-104C featured improvements over the F-104A in the form of a better fire-control system as well as hardpoints on the centerline on the belly and under the wings. The aircraft also introduced the ability to refuel mid-flight via a probe running along the right side of the aircraft, extending the reach of the aircraft somewhat. However, like most of the A models ended up, the C models were quickly transferred to Air National Guard (ANG) units both of which served until around 1975 in their service. The first combat of the F-104 however wouldn't be seen until the Vietnam War, and while not having any kills to count was successful in keeping MiGs back and from intercepting friendly aircraft. The aircraft had a short service life in this theatre, only serving in 1965, and again from 1967-1969 until the introduction of the more-capable F-4 Phantom II by which it was replaced.

=== [[wt:en/news/6731-development-f-104-starfighter-the-manned-missile-en|Devblog]] ===
The development history of the F-104 Starfighter begins in 1951, when Lockheed's lead engineer visited US pilots in Korea. The feedback given to Johnson was clear - US planes were too large and complex and would often find themselves inferior to the much smaller and simpler Soviet MiG-15. On his return to the United States, Johnson assembled a team of engineers and started developing an aircraft that would address the concerns of the pilots.

The result of this undertaking was the F-104 Starfighter, whose first prototype, designated XF-104, first took to the skies on the 4th March 1954. Although both prototypes were lost during testing, the results delivered by the prototypes were promising enough for the USAF to accept the aircraft into service in November 1955.

Soon after entering production, the F-104 quickly also became a highly popular aircraft on the export market. West Germany was, alongside the United States, the primary operator of the Starfighter, owning over 900 F-104s in its air force at the peak of its service career. However, 13 other nations also employed the F-104 such as Canada, Italy, Japan, Spain, and many more.

The F-104 saw most of its combat service with the USAF, most notably taking part in the Vietnam War. Furthermore, the F-104 also saw combat during the Indo-Pakistani Wars in the mid '60s - early '70s while flying under Pakistani colors.

In the end, over 2,500 Starfighters would be built, with most being gradually decommissioned by the end of the Cold War. Italy was the last to decommission its F-104s in the early 2000s.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-104c Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
File:F104C in the hangar.png|<small>F-104C in the hangar</small>
</gallery>

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[F-104 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=113 <nowiki>[Military Factory]</nowiki> Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]
* [http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/F-104C_Starfighter_SAC_-_8_December_1958.pdf Standard Aircraft Characteristics of the F-104C]

{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

Yak-141

2024-09-04T09:05:37Z

U171985807: Undo revision 191910 by U171985807 (talk) hey it was a joke and an easter egg for ppl to find :D

{{Specs-Card
|code=yak_141
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The Yakolev Yak-141 (also known as the "Yak-41", NATO codename "Freestyle") was a prototype Soviet VTOL supersonic fighter designed as a successor to the [[Yak-38]]. While the subsonic "Forger" with limited payload and poor handling was more of a proof of concept than a serious combat aircraft for its time, the heavily evolved Yak-141 was a far more capable one. It was a much larger aircraft with refined aerodynamics and a monstrously powerful Tumansky R-79 turbofan primary engine. With modern avionics and long-range missiles at its disposal, the Yak-141 was poised to be a world-leading supersonic VTOL fighter and a strong asset for the Soviet Navy — however, the collapse and political issues of the USSR prevented the Yak-141 from entering serial production and operational service in real combat situations and operations.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], this plane is a fearsome predator despite its slightly awkward appearance. It is in fact a full-featured 4th generation fighter on the same technological level as the [[MiG-29]], its counterpart in the VVS. It does not have the Mach 2+ top speed of contemporary fighters, but its agility is surprisingly good and its acceleration is phenomenal. Carrying R-27ERs and boasting a radar range of 70 km, the Yak-141 is a terrifying opponent with fantastic avionics and sensors able to sling the best missiles of its BR at all ranges.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

This jet is shockingly agile, particularly at very high speeds. In addition, being a VTOL jet, it is able to accelerate much more quickly than other aircraft. It is usually the first to reach the end of the runway, only initially outpaced by Harriers. It can bring enough fuel to afterburn to the middle of the largest of locations, strategically deploy its missiles, usually still afterburning, and return home with fuel to spare. It also has the ability to afterburn while thrust vectoring, which, combined with its manoeuvrability, powerful engines, and hovering potential, make it quite versatile at close ranges, able to outperform and elude the most nimble of conventional fighters. The only downside of this aircraft is its roll rate, which can impair its reactivity at close ranges.

The R-79V-300 is currently the most powerful aircraft engine in War Thunder by a large margin. It yields 45% more thrust than the [[F-14B]]'s General Electric F110 under optimal conditions and allows the Yak to achieve a commendable thrust-to-weight ratio in forward flight despite being a VTOL jet with the associated dead weight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed<br>(km/h at 11,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,822 ||1,822|| rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.6 || 25.7 || 264.6 || 253.9 || rowspan="2" | 550
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,905 || 1,847 || 24.4 || 25.0 || 359.0 || 310.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,450  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 750 || 648 || 500 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 850 || < 920 || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R79V-300 (main) || 1
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 10,930 kg || colspan="3" rowspan="2" | 483 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
| colspan="2" | Saturn RD-41 (lift jets) || 2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross<br>Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
|-
| 1,750 kg (main) || colspan="2" | Afterburning vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan
| rowspan="2" | 12,250 kg || rowspan="2" | 13,381 kg || rowspan="2" | 14,606 kg || rowspan="2" | 15,330 kg || rowspan="2" | 17,362 kg
|-
| 290 kg (lift jet) || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum main engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio in forward flight @ 0 m (WEP / 100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 11,179 kgf || 15,582 kgf
| 1.27 || 1.16 || 1.07 || 1.02 || 0.90
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 11,179 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 19,740 kgf<br>(1,200 km/h)
| 1.61 || 1.48 || 1.35 || 1.29 || 1.14
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum lift engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio in VTOL (all 3 engines) @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
| ''Stationary'' || {{Annotation|4,105 kgf|18,277 kgf total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}} || {{Annotation|4,152 kgf|18,472 kgf total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}}
| 1.51 || 1.38 || 1.26 || 1.20 || 1.06
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

Most hits from a missile are fatal, as with any top tier jet, but if used properly, the Yak-141 can dodge even very advanced missiles with its combination of speed and agility. Because of its powerful engine, this aircraft can still fly and manoeuvre effectively even with extensive fuselage damage.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-30-1 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, belly-mounted (120 rpg)
* 60 x countermeasures

The Yak-141 boasts the same 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon as the MiG-29, albeit with a slightly smaller ammo capacity. It is accurate, fast-firing, and has a high muzzle velocity. Since the Yak-141's advanced avionics offer lead computing, it is a good backup weapon for dogfights or head-ons.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="18" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| 4 || 4 || 4 || 4
|-
! [[FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|250 kg FAB-250M-62]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[OFAB-250Sh (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250Sh]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500Sh (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500Sh]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 32 || 32 || 32 || 32
|-
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
| 20 || 20 || 20 || 20
|-
! [[S-13OF]] rockets
| 5 || 5 || 5 || 5
|-
! [[S-24B]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-27R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-27T]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-27ER]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[R-27ET]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[R-60M]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| colspan="5" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,000 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x R-60M missiles + 2 x R-27R missiles
* 4 x R-60M missiles
* 4 x R-27R missiles
* 4 x R-27T missiles
* 2 x R-27ER missiles
* 2 x R-27ET missiles
* 128 x S-5K rockets
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 20 x S-13OF rockets
* 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 4 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
{{Navigation-End}}

The Yak-141 has a comparable arsenal to the [[MiG-29]], but with only four hardpoints, it is important to allocate the weapons carefully.

The main focus is on the air-to-air missiles. The stock R-60Ms are the classic tools of Soviet top-tier jets with high agility, short range, and low flare resistance. R-27 missiles with greater range can be mounted on all four pylons (the Fulcrums can only carry two) and come in four flavours: the R-27T with an IR seeker, the R-27R with a SARH seeker, and the R-27ER and R-27ET extended range variants with incredibly fast and powerful rocket motors. The R-27ERs should always be taken once unlocked because they are outstanding for long-range missile jousts, especially when paired with the Yak's excellent radar, but they are only available on the 2 inboard hardpoints. How to fill the other two is up to personal taste: R-27Rs are weaker but still viable and R-27Ts are good for medium range sneak attacks as they do not trigger any RWR warnings when cued with the Yak's IRST. R-60Ms are good for close-range knife fights, but bringing them has a significant opportunity cost on the Yak-141 and it may be better to leave dogfighting for friendly Fulcrums instead.

The remaining options are unguided bombs (100 to 500 kg) and rockets (S-5K and S-8KO HEAT rockets, S-13OF and S-24B HE rockets) for ground attack. The Yak-141 has a full-featured ballistic computer and can deliver them accurately, but using this aircraft for a strike role is suboptimal - it has a poor attack payload, no precision or standoff weapons, and no hardpoints reserved for air-to-air missiles.

== Usage in battles ==

The Yak-141 is a very versatile aircraft, competitive if not dominant in all kinds of combat. It is a monster in long range engagements, with an advanced radar and almost flawless SARH missiles, as long as an opponent does not notch your radar, their lifetime is measured in seconds. This jet also excels in close combat, its cannon and R-60s making short work of opponents. For the tough cases, you can transition into relying on your VTOL ability to bring the fight to your strengths, stall speed fighting.

'''Long Range'''

As most initial engagements will begin at long range, it is recommended to bring two R-27ERs. These missiles are almost unilateral improvements on the R variants, with little sacrifice for a vast increase in range. Before enemies are spotted, switch the radar to HDN or head-on mode, so it searches slightly better for the hot aircraft you know are out there. It is also recommended to increase the scan azimuth of your radar so that you have a better chance of finding something. When contacts appear, you can filter out the AI planes based on distance and formation. They will be well ahead of the the first players, usually starting as one contact that slowly fragments. When other contacts come within range, it is recommended to use TWS or Track While Search mode to learn their placement in the sky and heading without alerting them of your attention. You can also use the "Switch selected target" function to check many different targets position and closing speed. Using this information, you can filter out targets based on closing speed and altitude. Contacts closing faster than about 700 m/s are probably missiles, while targets under about 450 m/s could easily notch your radar if they notice a lock. You also want to avoid targets that are hugging the ground as ground clutter can even fool pulse-Doppler radars when tracking a target less than 50 m from the surface. As for distance, while you can technically hit a target over 40 km from you, most pilots will begin notching when they see your missile approaching, if not as soon as the lock tone sounds. Therefore, it is advised to target hostiles under the 10 km range who will not have much time to react to your lock or missile.

'''Close Range'''

In head-ons, it is recommended to use your radar missiles, as they are essentially undodgeable if fired from more than about 4 km. However, it takes time to lock and launch, so sometimes it is better to sling an R-60 and hope for the best. While they are usually flared off the intended target, an R-60 can frequently parry an incoming missile, locking onto and destroying it instead. It is generally unwise to engage in a head-on that is too short range to use an R-27, as neither R-60s nor your single cannon is very effective. In most cases any damage in a close head on like this will be done to you, unless you are carrying gunpods. As with any other aircraft of this tier, it is ill-advised to enter a pitched, focused turnfight unless you are absolutely sure that no enemies are around, otherwise you will be a slow helpless target for a hungry missile. That said, the Yak-141 is a very dangerous opponent in a dogfight. It possesses the ability to vector its thrust and so turn in a way that belies your lumbering appearance. Your surprising turning ability can give you enough time, even when losing, to bleed their speed and force them to fight in a way that favours you. After a couple of turns, your speed will be low enough to engage your thrust vectoring. Lower your aft engine to about 55%, as it will still afterburn up to 57%, then use your fore engines to swing your nose toward your opponent. Your speed will continue to fall, but with the ability to hover, simply move to the center of your opponent's turn circle and transition to a dynamic hover, floating in the center of the circle while using your lead indicator to target them with your cannon. Try to get them to bleed until they stall or use your partial hover to outmanoeuvre them in a stall speed dogfight. Be careful, however, as it will take time to transition out of a short range fight. Enter at your peril.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* VTOL/Thrust Vectoring
* Surprising high speed manoeuvrability
* Excellent radar range/difficult to notch/IRST
* Sufficient fuel capacity for plenty of afterburning
* Heavy duty IR missiles

'''Cons:'''

* Fairly low top speed for its BR
* R-60M is flared off easily
* Only carries four missiles
* Limited strike capability

== History ==

While the [[Yak-38]] and its later modernized [[Yak-38M]] variant fulfilled the role of a fleet defence strike fighter for the Soviet navy, the aircraft were considered obsolete almost immediately due to the many shortcomings they had, such as a very poor range of less than 100 km, difficulty operating in hot weather, inability to operate at night due to lack of radar or advanced targeting systems, horrible controllability and manoeuvrability due to the heavy weight and high wing loading, and a small combat payload among other things. As early as 1973, the {{Annotation|AVMF|Soviet Naval Aviation Fleet}} and OKB-115, led by General Designer Aleksander Yakovlev, went back to the drawing board to create a new generation of VTOL fighters for the Soviet navy. The successor aircraft project outlined a set of requirements: the new aircraft had to be supersonic, incorporate an advanced fire control system and radar/sensor suite, allow for a larger range of operations, and include a larger array of weapons. At the time of the project, no aircraft like this existed in the world, and the only equivalent that came close was the french Dassault Balzac V prototype.
[[File:Yak-141 at 1992 Farnborough Airshow.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-141 (code White 141, formerly White 75) performing a vertical take-off at the 1992 Farnborough Airshow.]]
This new aircraft would be designed around the new Soyuz-Tumansky R-79V lift/cruise afterburning turbofan, starting its life as the Yak-36P heavy VTOL naval interceptor. However, after substantial changes and almost a complete redesign of the aircraft resulting from reconsideration of the project requirements, the project would be redesignated as the Yak-41. In mid 1974, the Communist Party's Central Committee and Council of Ministers would issue a directive for the development of a new Soviet VTOL fighter, officially kickstarting the project. After many years of research and development, the design was finalized and submitted for review in June of 1980<ref>Gordon, Yefim. ''Yakovlev Yak-36, Yak-38 & Yak-41: The Soviet "Jump Jets."'' Midland Publishing, 2008.</ref>. The design invoked many new technologies not yet standardized in the Soviet Union, such as composite materials and advanced radars. Many setbacks with the R-79V engine and the Phazotron S-41 radar development programs caused the development schedule of the Yak-41 to be delayed by a few years. In 1983, the first static (non-flying) prototype was completed, and static ground testing commenced until the radar, engine, and fly-by-wire/power-by-wire systems were completed. The first flying prototype was soon completed and on March 9th, 1987 performed its maiden flight. Many of the important systems such as the S-41 radar and the other important avionics were still not completed fully, and would be incorporated later into the second flyable prototype which was completed in 1989. The second prototype was a more definitive "Yak-41" prototype, this time including most of its avionics and fire control system, such as the Zhuk S-41M radar which was completed by now, and would go as far as to mount mock-up missiles and weapons for flight testing and "simulated" firing during trials. The most notable missing piece of avionics was the {{Annotation|IRST|Infra-Red Search and Track}} system, which was ready to be installed when completed as shown by the cut-out for it on top of the nose on the second flying prototype.

The Yak-41 showed great promise, and at this stage of flight testing started setting many world records. To keep its development and true identity secret, the Soviet Union registered the aircraft as the "Yak-141" instead of Yak-41 with international record keeping agencies, hence where the 141 designation comes from. The Yak-41 program was proceeding smoothly at that point, with many flight tests scheduled and performed successfully over the next few years. Most notably, by 1991 the Yak-41s had flown to Severomorsk-1 airbase and successfully performed carrier trials and testing, including both VTOL and STOL operations from the carriers ''Baku'' (later renamed ''Admiral Gorshkov)'', in anticipation of future service deployment aboard the new and upcoming Type 1143.5 carrier ''Tblisi'' (later renamed to ''Admiral Kuznetsov'') after the aircraft is accepted into service in the upcoming years.<ref>Gordon, Yefim, and Bill Gunston. "'Yakovlev's Experimental VTOLs' p.213-215." ''Soviet X-Planes'', Midland, Hinckley, 2000.</ref>
[[File:Yak-141 museum.jpg|thumb|Yak-41 "White 75" (actually White 77 but repainted) with R-73 and R-27R missiles on display at Technical Museum, Arkhangelskoye, Moscow.]]
However, as promising as the aircraft was, the program was ultimately terminated in 1992 due to lack of funding after the collapse of the USSR. The Yakovlev design bureau then started trying to find foreign investors and buyers for the aircraft. Shortly after, a very unlikely foreign investor appeared at Yakovlev's doorstep, as Lockheed Corporation started negotiations for further funding more Yak-141 prototypes. The two flying prototypes, White 75 and White 77, would both be repainted into identical "White 144" liveries, and the two static non-flying prototypes would be cannibalized for spare parts before being scrapped to ensure that public display of the Yak-41 was flawless. The first public appearance of the Yak-41 occurred famously at the 1992 Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom. However, the Yak-41s would be banned from performing vertical take-offs after a few days at the airshow due to "excessive wear to the runway", a testament to the powerful thrust from the engines in vertical flight. Shortly after, Yakovlev had announced that they had successfully reached an agreement with Lockheed for 4 million $USD in funding for two more flying prototypes, a twin-seat trainer prototype, and a single static (non-flying) testbed to test improvements in avionics. The partnership had actually begun almost immediately after the USSR had collapsed, but was not revealed publicly by Yakovlev and Lockheed until September 6th, 1992.<ref>Gordon, Yefim (1997). ''Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924''. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books.</ref> It is widely believed that many of the technological advancements from the Yak-41 program would be directly applied by Lockheed through their partnership to the upcoming X-35 prototype in the Joint-Strike Fighter program, most notably the later VTOL F-35B variant, which shares many basic features with the Yak-41.

The two flyable prototypes, now no longer flyable, would be exhibited as static ground displays at the 1993 Moscow airshow. Shortly after, the two prototypes would undergo cosmetic restoration before being placed in museums for permanent display. The first flyable prototype retained its post-soviet "White 141" livery, and is permanently displayed at the Central Air Force Museum at Monino. The second prototype was re-painted into the "White 75" livery originally used by its sister aircraft (the first prototype), and placed in the Technical Museum, Arkhangelskoye, Moscow.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak_141 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|GLhl4uB0QhU|'''The Shooting Range #347''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:51 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|K09goo8T4jM|'''The Shooting Range #345''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:25 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|tTfqkOz_1p8|'''Yak-141: A Basic Review''' - ''Tims Variety''}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8128-development-yak-141-freestyle-on-the-deck-en|[Devblog] Yak-141: Freestyle on the Deck]]

=== References ===
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}

Yak-141

2024-09-04T09:03:58Z

U171985807: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=yak_141
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The Yakolev Yak-141 (also known as the "Yak-41", NATO codename "Freestyle") was a prototype Soviet VTOL supersonic fighter designed as a successor to the [[Yak-38]]. While the subsonic "Forger" with limited payload and poor handling was more of a proof of concept than a serious combat aircraft for its time, the heavily evolved Yak-141 was a far more capable one. It was a much larger aircraft with refined aerodynamics and a monstrously powerful Tumansky R-79 turbofan primary engine. With modern avionics and long-range missiles at its disposal, the Yak-141 was poised to be a world-leading supersonic VTOL fighter and a strong asset for the Soviet Navy — however, the collapse and political issues of the USSR prevented the Yak-141 from entering serial production and operational service in real combat situations and operations.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], this plane is a fearsome predator despite its slightly awkward appearance. It is in fact a full-featured 4th generation fighter on the same technological level as the [[MiG-29]], its counterpart in the VVS. It does not have the Mach 2+ top speed of contemporary fighters, but its agility is surprisingly good and its acceleration is phenomenal. Carrying R-27ERs and boasting a radar range of 70 km, the Yak-141 is a terrifying opponent with fantastic avionics and sensors able to sling the best missiles of its BR at all ranges.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

This jet is shockingly agile, particularly at very high speeds. In addition, being a VTOL jet, it is able to accelerate much more quickly than other aircraft. It is usually the first to reach the end of the runway, only initially outpaced by Harriers. It can bring enough fuel to afterburn to the middle of the largest of locations, strategically deploy its missiles, usually still afterburning, and return home with fuel to spare. It also has the ability to afterburn while thrust vectoring, which, combined with its manoeuvrability, powerful engines, and hovering potential, make it quite versatile at close ranges, able to outperform and elude the most nimble of conventional fighters. The only downside of this aircraft is its roll rate, which can impair its reactivity at close ranges.

The R-79V-300 is currently the most powerful aircraft engine in War Thunder by a large margin. It yields 45% more thrust than the [[F-14B]]'s General Electric F110 under optimal conditions and allows the Yak to achieve a commendable thrust-to-weight ratio in forward flight despite being a VTOL jet with the associated dead weight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed<br>(km/h at 11,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,822 ||1,822|| rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.6 || 25.7 || 264.6 || 253.9 || rowspan="2" | 550
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,905 || 1,847 || 24.4 || 25.0 || 359.0 || 310.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,450  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 750 || 648 || 500 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 850 || < 920 || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R79V-300 (main) || 1
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 10,930 kg || colspan="3" rowspan="2" | 483 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
|-
| colspan="2" | Saturn RD-41 (lift jets) || 2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross<br>Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
|-
| 1,750 kg (main) || colspan="2" | Afterburning vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan
| rowspan="2" | 12,250 kg || rowspan="2" | 13,381 kg || rowspan="2" | 14,606 kg || rowspan="2" | 15,330 kg || rowspan="2" | 17,362 kg
|-
| 290 kg (lift jet) || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum main engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio in forward flight @ 0 m (WEP / 100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 11,179 kgf || 15,582 kgf
| 1.27 || 1.16 || 1.07 || 1.02 || 0.90
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 11,179 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 19,740 kgf<br>(1,200 km/h)
| 1.61 || 1.48 || 1.35 || 1.29 || 1.14
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum lift engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio in VTOL (all 3 engines) @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
| ''Stationary'' || {{Annotation|4,105 kgf|18,277 kgf total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}} || {{Annotation|4,152 kgf|18,472 kgf total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}}
| 1.51 || 1.38 || 1.26 || 1.20 || 1.06
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

Most hits from a missile are fatal, as with any top tier jet, but if used properly, the Yak-141 can dodge even very advanced missiles with its combination of speed and agility. Because of its powerful engine, this aircraft can still fly and manoeuvre effectively even with extensive fuselage damage.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-30-1 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, belly-mounted (120 rpg)
* 60 x countermeasures

The Yak-141 boasts the same 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon as the MiG-29, albeit with a slightly smaller ammo capacity. It is accurate, fast-firing, and has a high muzzle velocity. Since the Yak-141's advanced avionics offer lead computing, it is a good backup weapon for dogfights or head-ons.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="18" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (250 rpg)
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| 4 || 4 || 4 || 4
|-
! [[FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|250 kg FAB-250M-62]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[OFAB-250Sh (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250Sh]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[FAB-500Sh (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500Sh]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 32 || 32 || 32 || 32
|-
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
| 20 || 20 || 20 || 20
|-
! [[S-13OF]] rockets
| 5 || 5 || 5 || 5
|-
! [[S-24B]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-27R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-27T]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-27ER]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[R-27ET]] missiles
| || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[R-60M]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| colspan="5" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,000 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x R-60M missiles + 2 x R-27R missiles
* 4 x R-60M missiles
* 4 x R-27R missiles
* 4 x R-27T missiles
* 2 x R-27ER missiles
* 2 x R-27ET missiles
* 128 x S-5K rockets
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 20 x S-13OF rockets
* 16 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,600 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 4 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 4 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
{{Navigation-End}}

The Yak-141 has a comparable arsenal to the [[MiG-29]], but with only four hardpoints, it is important to allocate the weapons carefully.

The main focus is on the air-to-air missiles. The stock R-60Ms are the classic tools of Soviet top-tier jets with high agility, short range, and low flare resistance. R-27 missiles with greater range can be mounted on all four pylons (the Fulcrums can only carry two) and come in four flavours: the R-27T with an IR seeker, the R-27R with a SARH seeker, and the R-27ER and R-27ET extended range variants with incredibly fast and powerful rocket motors. The R-27ERs should always be taken once unlocked because they are outstanding for long-range missile jousts, especially when paired with the Yak's excellent radar, but they are only available on the 2 inboard hardpoints. How to fill the other two is up to personal taste: R-27Rs are weaker but still viable and R-27Ts are good for medium range sneak attacks as they do not trigger any RWR warnings when cued with the Yak's IRST. R-60Ms are good for close-range knife fights, but bringing them has a significant opportunity cost on the Yak-141 and it may be better to leave dogfighting for friendly Fulcrums instead.

The remaining options are unguided bombs (100 to 500 kg) and rockets (S-5K and S-8KO HEAT rockets, S-13OF and S-24B HE rockets) for ground attack. The Yak-141 has a full-featured ballistic computer and can deliver them accurately, but using this aircraft for a strike role is suboptimal - it has a poor attack payload, no precision or standoff weapons, and no hardpoints reserved for air-to-air missiles.

== Usage in battles ==

The Yak-141 is a very versatile aircraft, competitive if not dominant in all kinds of combat. It is a monster in long range engagements, with an advanced radar and almost flawless SARH missiles, as long as an opponent does not notch your radar, their lifetime is measured in seconds. This jet also excels in close combat, its cannon and R-60s making short work of opponents. For the tough cases, you can transition into relying on your VTOL ability to bring the fight to your strengths, stall speed fighting.

'''Long Range'''

As most initial engagements will begin at long range, it is recommended to bring two R-27ERs. These missiles are almost unilateral improvements on the R variants, with little sacrifice for a vast increase in range. Before enemies are spotted, switch the radar to HDN or head-on mode, so it searches slightly better for the hot aircraft you know are out there. It is also recommended to increase the scan azimuth of your radar so that you have a better chance of finding something. When contacts appear, you can filter out the AI planes based on distance and formation. They will be well ahead of the the first players, usually starting as one contact that slowly fragments. When other contacts come within range, it is recommended to use TWS or Track While Search mode to learn their placement in the sky and heading without alerting them of your attention. You can also use the "Switch selected target" function to check many different targets position and closing speed. Using this information, you can filter out targets based on closing speed and altitude. Contacts closing faster than about 700 m/s are probably missiles, while targets under about 450 m/s could easily notch your radar if they notice a lock. You also want to avoid targets that are hugging the ground as ground clutter can even fool pulse-Doppler radars when tracking a target less than 50 m from the surface. As for distance, while you can technically hit a target over 40 km from you, most pilots will begin notching when they see your missile approaching, if not as soon as the lock tone sounds. Therefore, it is advised to target hostiles under the 10 km range who will not have much time to react to your lock or missile.

'''Close Range'''

In head-ons, it is recommended to use your radar missiles, as they are essentially undodgeable if fired from more than about 4 km. However, it takes time to lock and launch, so sometimes it is better to sling an R-60 and hope for the best. While they are usually flared off the intended target, an R-60 can frequently parry an incoming missile, locking onto and destroying it instead. It is generally unwise to engage in a head-on that is too short range to use an R-27, as neither R-60s nor your single cannon is very effective. In most cases any damage in a close head on like this will be done to you, unless you are carrying gunpods. As with any other aircraft of this tier, it is ill-advised to enter a pitched, focused turnfight unless you are absolutely sure that no enemies are around, otherwise you will be a slow helpless target for a hungry missile. That said, the Yak-141 is a very dangerous opponent in a dogfight. It possesses the ability to vector its thrust and so turn in a way that belies your lumbering appearance. Your surprising turning ability can give you enough time, even when losing, to bleed their speed and force them to fight in a way that favours you. After a couple of turns, your speed will be low enough to engage your thrust vectoring. Lower your aft engine to about 55%, as it will still afterburn up to 57%, then use your fore engines to swing your nose toward your opponent. Your speed will continue to fall, but with the ability to hover, simply move to the center of your opponent's turn circle and transition to a dynamic hover, floating in the center of the circle while using your lead indicator to target them with your cannon. Try to get them to bleed until they stall or use your partial hover to outmanoeuvre them in a stall speed dogfight. Be careful, however, as it will take time to transition out of a short range fight. Enter at your peril.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* VTOL/Thrust Vectoring
* Surprising high speed manoeuvrability
* Excellent radar range/difficult to notch/IRST
* Sufficient fuel capacity for plenty of afterburning
* Heavy duty IR missiles
* Easy to touch grass when needed, thanks to the VTOL ability

'''Cons:'''

* Fairly low top speed for its BR
* R-60M is flared off easily
* Only carries four missiles
* Limited strike capability

== History ==

While the [[Yak-38]] and its later modernized [[Yak-38M]] variant fulfilled the role of a fleet defence strike fighter for the Soviet navy, the aircraft were considered obsolete almost immediately due to the many shortcomings they had, such as a very poor range of less than 100 km, difficulty operating in hot weather, inability to operate at night due to lack of radar or advanced targeting systems, horrible controllability and manoeuvrability due to the heavy weight and high wing loading, and a small combat payload among other things. As early as 1973, the {{Annotation|AVMF|Soviet Naval Aviation Fleet}} and OKB-115, led by General Designer Aleksander Yakovlev, went back to the drawing board to create a new generation of VTOL fighters for the Soviet navy. The successor aircraft project outlined a set of requirements: the new aircraft had to be supersonic, incorporate an advanced fire control system and radar/sensor suite, allow for a larger range of operations, and include a larger array of weapons. At the time of the project, no aircraft like this existed in the world, and the only equivalent that came close was the french Dassault Balzac V prototype.
[[File:Yak-141 at 1992 Farnborough Airshow.jpg|thumb|Yakovlev Yak-141 (code White 141, formerly White 75) performing a vertical take-off at the 1992 Farnborough Airshow.]]
This new aircraft would be designed around the new Soyuz-Tumansky R-79V lift/cruise afterburning turbofan, starting its life as the Yak-36P heavy VTOL naval interceptor. However, after substantial changes and almost a complete redesign of the aircraft resulting from reconsideration of the project requirements, the project would be redesignated as the Yak-41. In mid 1974, the Communist Party's Central Committee and Council of Ministers would issue a directive for the development of a new Soviet VTOL fighter, officially kickstarting the project. After many years of research and development, the design was finalized and submitted for review in June of 1980<ref>Gordon, Yefim. ''Yakovlev Yak-36, Yak-38 & Yak-41: The Soviet "Jump Jets."'' Midland Publishing, 2008.</ref>. The design invoked many new technologies not yet standardized in the Soviet Union, such as composite materials and advanced radars. Many setbacks with the R-79V engine and the Phazotron S-41 radar development programs caused the development schedule of the Yak-41 to be delayed by a few years. In 1983, the first static (non-flying) prototype was completed, and static ground testing commenced until the radar, engine, and fly-by-wire/power-by-wire systems were completed. The first flying prototype was soon completed and on March 9th, 1987 performed its maiden flight. Many of the important systems such as the S-41 radar and the other important avionics were still not completed fully, and would be incorporated later into the second flyable prototype which was completed in 1989. The second prototype was a more definitive "Yak-41" prototype, this time including most of its avionics and fire control system, such as the Zhuk S-41M radar which was completed by now, and would go as far as to mount mock-up missiles and weapons for flight testing and "simulated" firing during trials. The most notable missing piece of avionics was the {{Annotation|IRST|Infra-Red Search and Track}} system, which was ready to be installed when completed as shown by the cut-out for it on top of the nose on the second flying prototype.

The Yak-41 showed great promise, and at this stage of flight testing started setting many world records. To keep its development and true identity secret, the Soviet Union registered the aircraft as the "Yak-141" instead of Yak-41 with international record keeping agencies, hence where the 141 designation comes from. The Yak-41 program was proceeding smoothly at that point, with many flight tests scheduled and performed successfully over the next few years. Most notably, by 1991 the Yak-41s had flown to Severomorsk-1 airbase and successfully performed carrier trials and testing, including both VTOL and STOL operations from the carriers ''Baku'' (later renamed ''Admiral Gorshkov)'', in anticipation of future service deployment aboard the new and upcoming Type 1143.5 carrier ''Tblisi'' (later renamed to ''Admiral Kuznetsov'') after the aircraft is accepted into service in the upcoming years.<ref>Gordon, Yefim, and Bill Gunston. "'Yakovlev's Experimental VTOLs' p.213-215." ''Soviet X-Planes'', Midland, Hinckley, 2000.</ref>
[[File:Yak-141 museum.jpg|thumb|Yak-41 "White 75" (actually White 77 but repainted) with R-73 and R-27R missiles on display at Technical Museum, Arkhangelskoye, Moscow.]]
However, as promising as the aircraft was, the program was ultimately terminated in 1992 due to lack of funding after the collapse of the USSR. The Yakovlev design bureau then started trying to find foreign investors and buyers for the aircraft. Shortly after, a very unlikely foreign investor appeared at Yakovlev's doorstep, as Lockheed Corporation started negotiations for further funding more Yak-141 prototypes. The two flying prototypes, White 75 and White 77, would both be repainted into identical "White 144" liveries, and the two static non-flying prototypes would be cannibalized for spare parts before being scrapped to ensure that public display of the Yak-41 was flawless. The first public appearance of the Yak-41 occurred famously at the 1992 Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom. However, the Yak-41s would be banned from performing vertical take-offs after a few days at the airshow due to "excessive wear to the runway", a testament to the powerful thrust from the engines in vertical flight. Shortly after, Yakovlev had announced that they had successfully reached an agreement with Lockheed for 4 million $USD in funding for two more flying prototypes, a twin-seat trainer prototype, and a single static (non-flying) testbed to test improvements in avionics. The partnership had actually begun almost immediately after the USSR had collapsed, but was not revealed publicly by Yakovlev and Lockheed until September 6th, 1992.<ref>Gordon, Yefim (1997). ''Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924''. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books.</ref> It is widely believed that many of the technological advancements from the Yak-41 program would be directly applied by Lockheed through their partnership to the upcoming X-35 prototype in the Joint-Strike Fighter program, most notably the later VTOL F-35B variant, which shares many basic features with the Yak-41.

The two flyable prototypes, now no longer flyable, would be exhibited as static ground displays at the 1993 Moscow airshow. Shortly after, the two prototypes would undergo cosmetic restoration before being placed in museums for permanent display. The first flyable prototype retained its post-soviet "White 141" livery, and is permanently displayed at the Central Air Force Museum at Monino. The second prototype was re-painted into the "White 75" livery originally used by its sister aircraft (the first prototype), and placed in the Technical Museum, Arkhangelskoye, Moscow.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak_141 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|GLhl4uB0QhU|'''The Shooting Range #347''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:51 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|K09goo8T4jM|'''The Shooting Range #345''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:25 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|tTfqkOz_1p8|'''Yak-141: A Basic Review''' - ''Tims Variety''}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8128-development-yak-141-freestyle-on-the-deck-en|[Devblog] Yak-141: Freestyle on the Deck]]

=== References ===
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}

Battle ratings

2024-07-01T20:05:39Z

U171985807: /* General Information */ fixed outdated info: max br from 12.7 to 13.0 due to new fighters e.g. F-15C MSIP II

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Battle Ratings}}
__TOC__

==General Information==

'''Battle rating''' (BR) is a value used to determine matchmaking in War Thunder. Battle rating is a number assigned to every aircraft, ground unit, and naval vessel in the game that correlates with their effectiveness in combat. Roughly speaking, as a vehicle's capabilities and performance increase, so does its battle rating. Battle rating can also differ depending on the game mode. For example, if a vehicle may perform considerably better compared to its opponents in Arcade Battles than in Realistic Battles, it may have a higher battle rating in the former.

'''Battle rating does not correspond with real-life introduction dates, but rather, the vehicle's in-game performance.''' Even if major technological imbalances existed among the vehicles in real life, the battle rating system allows War Thunder to remain balanced at all ranks by only matching vehicles with similar in-game performance against each other.

Battle ratings exists in steps of 0.3 or 0.4 starting from 1.0 and ending at 13.0 (i.e. 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, etc.).

{{Notice|Matchmaking is based solely on battle rating; the rank of a vehicle is irrelevant.}}

The battle rating of every vehicle can be found at the top of its stat card or in the lower-right corner of its icon in the Research screen. To check the vehicle's BR in different game modes, select the appropriate mode in the drop-down menu lower-right corner of the Research screen. Note that the BR of "Reserve" vehicles is 1.0.

The battle rating that the [[Matchmaker]] will use will always be displayed at the top of the screen, underneath "To Battle!".

==Aviation==

===Air Arcade Battles===

In Air Arcade Battles, matchmaking is determined by the '''total battle rating''' of a lineup, which is calculated based on the three highest BR aircraft of that lineup. Ground units and naval vessels in the lineup cannot be taken into battle and will have no effect on the calculation of total battle rating. Damaged aircraft, or aircraft that are on [[Crew lock]], will not be factored into calculation either.

In general:

* Total BR will only be lowered if there is only one aircraft with the highest BR in the lineup (e.g. one 5.0, with all else 4.7 or lower).

* Total BR can be lowered by a maximum of one BR step below the highest BR aircraft (e.g. 5.0 to 4.7, 3.7 to 3.3).

* Only BR differences of up to 2.0 are taken into consideration; otherwise, total BR is taken from the highest BR.

Players will only be matched against other players based on their total battle rating. They may be able to see players with a total BR as low or as high as their own total BR ± 1.0. For example, if a player's total BR is 3.0, they can be matched with players with total BR between 2.0 and 4.0.

=====Calculation=====

If '''A''' is the highest BR in a lineup, '''B''' is the second highest BR, and '''C''' is the third highest BR, then the formula for '''Total BR''' is as follows:

:'''Total BR''' = ('''A''' ÷ 2) + ('''X''' ÷ 4) + ('''Y''' ÷ 4)

where:

* If '''A''' - '''B''' < 0.6, then:

:: '''X''' = '''B'''

* If 0.6 ≤ '''A''' - '''B''' ≤ 2.0, then:

:: '''X''' = '''A''' - 0.6

* If '''A''' - '''B''' > 2.0, then:

:: '''X''' = '''A'''

* If '''A''' - '''C''' < 0.6, then:

:: '''Y''' = '''C'''

* If 0.6 ≤ '''A''' - '''C''' ≤ 2.0, then:

:: '''Y''' = '''A''' - 0.6

* If '''A''' - '''C''' > 2.0, then:

:: '''Y''' = '''A'''

In other words, if the difference between '''A''' and '''B''' is less than 0.6, then '''B''' is substituted for '''X''' in the equation. If the difference is between 0.6 and 2.0, inclusive, then ('''A''' - 0.6) is substituted for '''X'''. If the difference is greater than 2.0, then '''A''' is substituted for '''X'''.

The value of Y is calculated the same way, except the difference between '''A''' and '''C''' is compared instead.

Once evaluated, the resulting value '''Total BR''' is rounded to the nearest battle rating step. For example, 3.1 (which is closer to 3.0 than 3.3) will be rounded down to 3.0, and 3.2 (which is closer to 3.3 than 3.0) will be rounded up to 3.3.

Values exactly between two steps are rounded up. For example, 3.15 (which is exactly between 3.0 and 3.3) will be rounded to 3.3, and 3.5 (which is exactly between 3.4 and 3.7) will be rounded to 3.7.

====Example Calculation====

Here is an example calculation of total battle rating, where:

: '''A''' = 6.0
: '''B''' = 5.7
: '''C''' = 5.0

First, the difference between '''A''' and '''B''' is checked. The difference is 0.3, so:

: '''X''' = '''B''' = 5.7

Now, the difference between '''A''' and '''C''' is checked. The difference is 1.0, so:

: '''Y''' = '''A''' - 0.6 = 5.4

Substituting these values into the equation:

:'''Total BR''' = ('''6.0''' ÷ 2) + ('''5.7''' ÷ 4) + ('''5.4''' ÷ 4) = '''5.775'''

The resulting value, '''5.775''', is closer to 5.7 than 6.0, so the value is rounded down to '''5.7'''.

Thus, for a lineup whose highest BRs are 6.0, 5.7, and 5.0, the '''Total BR''' of the lineup is '''5.7'''.

====Tabular Examples====

Some example lineups:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! A !! B !! C !! Overall BR
|-
| 8.0 || 7.7 || 7.7 || 8.0
|-
| 5.0 || 4.3 || 4.0 || 4.7
|-
| 4.0 || 4.0 || 2.0 || 4.0
|-
| 3.7 || 3.0 || 2.7 || 3.3
|-
| 5.0 || 1.0|| 1.0|| 5.0
|}

====Pictoral Examples====

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:1100px; overflow:auto;">
Click '''Expand''' to view
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
{| class="wikitable" align="center"
|-
! colspan="2" | Legend
|-
!Aircraft!!Battle Rating
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" align="center" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || Aircraft with the highest battle rating
|-
| style="background: #ffc284" align="center" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || Aircraft with battle rating 0.3 below the highest BR
|-
| style="background: #ffff84" align="center" |[[File:Matchmaker SpitfireF24 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || Aircraft with battle rating is between 0.6 and 2.0 below the highest BR
|-
| style="background: #84ff84" align="center" |[[File:Matchmaker I-153 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || Aircraft with battle rating greater than 2.0 below the highest BR
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Aircraft 1 !! Aircraft 2 !! Aircraft 3 !! ⇒ !! BR Result
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffc284" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffff84" |[[File:Matchmaker SpitfireF24 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #84ff84" |[[File:Matchmaker I-153 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffc284" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffc284" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffc284" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffff84" |[[File:Matchmaker SpitfireF24 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ffc284" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffc284" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #84ff84" |[[File:Matchmaker I-153 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffff84" |[[File:Matchmaker SpitfireF24 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffff84" |[[File:Matchmaker SpitfireF24 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ffc284" |[[File:Matchmaker MiG-9 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
| style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #ffff84" |[[File:Matchmaker SpitfireF24 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || style="background: #84ff84" |[[File:Matchmaker I-153 icon.png|frameless|link=]] || ⇒ || style="background: #ff8484" |[[File:Matchmaker F-86f-25 icon.png|frameless|link=]]
|-
|}
</div>
</div>

===Air Realistic Battles===

In Air Realistic Battles, only the aircraft currently selected will be taken into battle, and its battle rating will be used to determine matchmaking. Players will only see aircraft with a battle rating ± 1.0 compared to their own.

===Air Simulator Battles===

In Air Simulator Battles, there are two battle rating ranges for each team, '''Allowed vehicles''' and '''Required vehicles'''. Any aircraft with battle rating in the '''Allowed vehicles''' range can be taken into battle. However, to enter an Air Simulator game, at least one aircraft in the lineup must be in the '''Required vehicles''' range. Players are matched with other players whose lineups consist of vehicles in the '''Allowed vehicles''' range.

Typically, in an Air Simulator game, lower battle rating vehicles can spawn immediately, while higher battle rating vehicles may require Spawn Points (SP) and may have a cooldown timer until they can be spawned again.

Ground units and naval vessels in the lineup are not taken into account and cannot be taken into battle. Neither can damaged vehicles or vehicles on [[Crew lock]].

===Air Arcade Assault===

In Air Arcade Assault mode, there are battle rating ranges as follows:

* 1.0 - 2.3
* 2.7 - 3.7
* 4.0 - 5.0
* 5.3 - 6.3
* 6.7+

The battle rating of the highest BR aircraft in a lineup is used to determine which range a player will be matched in.

Ground units and naval vessels in the lineup are not taken into account and cannot be taken into battle. Neither can damaged vehicles or vehicles on [[Crew lock]].

==Ground Forces==

===Ground Arcade Battles===

In Ground Arcade Battles, the battle rating of the highest BR ground vehicle, with players only able to see ground units with BR ± 1.0.

Aircraft and naval vessels in the lineup are not taken into account and cannot be taken into battle. Neither can damaged vehicles or vehicles on [[Crew lock]].

===Ground Realistic Battles===

In Ground Realistic Battles, the batting rating of the highest BR ground vehicle or aircraft (including helicopters) is used, with players only able to see ground units and aircraft with BR ± 1.0.

For example, for a lineup consisting of a BR 5.0 ground unit and a BR 5.3 aircraft, the BR of the aircraft is taken, and vehicles with BR between 4.3 and 6.3 can be seen.

Naval vessels in the lineup are not taken into account and cannot be taken into battle. Neither can damaged vehicles or vehicles on [[Crew lock]].

===Ground Simulator Battles===

In Ground Simulator Battles, battle rating is irrelevant in matchmaking. Only vehicles listed on the '''Allowed vehicles''' list can be taken into battle, with at least one vehicle from the '''Required vehicles''' list (if applicable) required to enter the game.

Any vehicle not listed in either the '''Allowed vehicles''' list will not be taken into battle. Neither can damaged vehicles or vehicles on [[Crew lock]].

===Ground Arcade Assault===

In Ground Arcade Assault mode, there are battle rating ranges as follows:

* 1.0 - 2.3
* 2.7 - 3.7
* 4.0 - 5.0
* 5.3 - 6.3
* 6.7 - 8.0
* 8.3+

The battle rating of the highest BR ground unit or helicopter in a lineup is used to determine which range a player will be matched in.

Aircraft and naval vessels in the lineup are not taken into account and cannot be taken into battle. Neither can damaged vehicles or vehicles on [[Crew lock]].

==Naval Forces==

Matchmaking works the same way in both naval Arcade and Realistic battles. The battle rating of the highest BR naval vessel is used, with players able to see naval vessels and aircraft with a BR ± 1.0. Aircraft with BR up to one BR step (+0.3/0.4) above the highest BR naval vessel can also be taken. If the BR of the aircraft exceeds the BR of the naval vessel, its BR will be used instead. Aircraft more than one BR step higher than the highest naval vessel are not taken into account and will not be available to be used in the battle.

For example, for a lineup consisting of a BR 2.0 naval vessel and a BR 2.3 aircraft, the BR of the aircraft is taken, and vehicles with BR between 1.3 and 3.3 can be seen. For a lineup consisting of a BR 2.0 naval vessel and a BR 2.7 aircraft, the aircraft will not be taken into battle and vehicles with BR between 1.0 and 3.0 will be seen.

Ground units in the lineup are not taken into account and cannot be taken into battle. Neither can damaged vehicles or vehicles on [[Crew lock]].

==Squads==

In any game mode except for Air and Ground Forces Simulator Battles, when playing in a squad, the Matchmaker uses the highest battle rating within the squad. For Air AB, the highest total BR within the squad is used.

For example, in Air RB, for a squadron consisting of a BR 4.7 aircraft and a BR 5.7 aircraft, the BR of the higher aircraft is used, and both players will be put into matches where they can see aircraft with BR between 4.7 and 6.7.

[[Category:Game mechanics]]