Yak-38M

Yak-38M

Yak-30D

Yak-141

Yak-38M

Yak-30D

Yak-141

USSR

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.3	9.3	9.3

Class:

Strike aircraft

Naval aircraft

Research:220 000

Purchase:620 000

Description

The Yak-38M is a rank VI Soviet jet fighter with a battle rating of 9.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "New Power".

General info

Flight performance

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	1,190	1,186	12500	39.6	40.7	87.3	78.7	520
Upgraded	1,205	1,197		36.9	38.1	124.5	102.4

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	✓	✓	X	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1265	500	N/A	650	500	~11	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 650	< 850	< 920	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic Mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-28V-300 (main)		1	7,240 kg		502 kg/m2
RD-38 (lift jets)		2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		7m fuel	20m fuel	23m fuel
1,420 kg (main)	Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan		8,077 kg	9,631 kg	9,960 kg	10,300 kg
210 kg (lift jet)	Axial-flow turbojet
Maximum main engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio in level flight @ 0 m (100%)
Condition	100%	WEP	7m fuel	20m fuel	23m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	7,120 kgf	N/A	0.88	0.74	0.71	0.69
Optimal	7,120 kgf (0 km/h)	N/A	0.88	0.74	0.71	0.69
Maximum lift engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio in VTOL (all 3 engines) @ 0 m (100%)
Stationary	3,230 kgf	N/A	1.68	1.41	1.36	1.31

Survivability and armour

The Yak-38 has no armour. It is a fairly large target with the entire fuselage being taken up with engines and fuel tanks.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Yak-38M is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • Without offensive armament
  • 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, wing-mounted (160 rpg)

Suspended armament

The Yak-38M can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
• 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
• 10 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
• 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,500 kg total)
• 64 x S-5KP rockets
• 64 x S-5KP rockets
• 96 x S-5KP rockets
• 40 x S-8M rockets
• 2 x S-24B rockets
• 4 x S-24B rockets
• 32 x S-5KP rockets + 2 x S-24B rockets
• 2 x R-60 missiles
• 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total) + 2 x R-60 missiles
• 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
• 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x R-60 missiles + 32 x S-5KP rockets
• 2 x R-60 missiles + 64 x S-5KP rockets
• 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x S-24B rockets
• 2 x Kh-23M missiles

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Modules

Tier	Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
I	Compressor	Fuselage repair	Gun pod VSPU-36	FAB-250	UB-16
II	New boosters	Airframe	Gun pod UPK-23-250	FAB-500	UB-32	R-60
III	Wings repair	G-suit	Offensive 23 mm	X-23M	B-8M1
IV	Engine	Cover	New 23 mm cannons		C-24

Pros and cons

Pros:

• VTOL capabilities
• Numerous payload options
• Offensive 23mm cannons have a very high fire rate

Cons:

• Subsonic
• Offensive 23mm cannon has low ammo for its fire rate, trigger discipline is required

History

Devblog

Although Soviet engineers were experimenting with VTOL fixed wing aircraft design since the early 1960’s, it wasn’t until December 1967 before a formal order to develop a light VTOL strike aircraft as well as a corresponding trainer version was issued. As a result, engineers at the Yakovlev design bureau began work on the new aircraft in the late 1960’s, basing their design on experience gained from developing the preceding Yak-36 - an early VTOL demonstration design.

The new aircraft, designated Yak-36M, was being developed for immediate frontline service, operating both from land bases as well as aircraft-carrying ships. The aircraft’s primary role was that of a strike aircraft, engaging ground and surface targets while also being suited to intercept enemy aircraft and helicopters if necessary.

Not too long after work on the project began, the first prototype saw completion and conducted its maiden flight in December 1970. Subsequent prototypes and trials continued testing the aircraft's performance, particularly its novel VTOL capabilities. By 1973, the aircraft was considered ready and serial production commenced.

After some further testing and crew training, the aircraft officially entered service with the Soviet Navy in August 1977, receiving the designation Yak-38. By 1982, over 140 Yak-38’s were built, all of which served aboard the then new Kiev-class aircraft carriers. In the mid 1980’s, the modernized Yak-38M version came into service, most prominently featuring more powerful engines as well as other improvements. About 50 Yak-38M’s were built before the type was ultimately decommissioned in 1991.

Further development

Yakovlev always believed the Yak-38 to be an interim aircraft, developed to gain experience designing and developing military VTOL aircraft. Even before the Yak-38's introduction, the Soviet Navy desired a more comprehensive aircraft, with greater capabilities than the Yak-38 offered. The result was a design contract offered to Yakovlev in 1975. The requirement was for an aircraft with only one mission: air defense of the fleet. Unlike the Yak-38, this aircraft was to have sustained supersonic speed. Maneuverability, radar and weapons loads were expected to be similar to those of current front-line fighters. For the Soviet Navy this aircraft was to be their next generation VTOL fighter. For Yakovlev the aircraft was viewed as a way of returning to designing Soviet fighter aircraft.

This lead to the development of the Yak-41M, to the west it was known as the Yak-141 while still being designated Yak-41M in the Soviet military. In 1991 Yakovlev entered into a partnership with Lockheed-Martin, due to this Yakovlev designated the 2 flyable prototypes, the experience Lockheed-Martin gained in this partnership would end up in the VTOL F-35 Lightning II variant the F-35B.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

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

• [Development] Yak-38 & Yak-38M: Hover Jet