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Fighter
Yak-38 (Forger)
Yakovlev · USSR
The Yak-38 entered production in 1975. Unlike the Harrier, which uses one engine for everything, the Yak-38 used one main engine and two dedicated lift engines. This made it difficult to fly and limited its payload, but it provided the Soviet Navy with its first fixed-wing carrier capability.
Technical Specifications
| First Flight | 1975 |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1,280 km/h |
| Range | 1,300 km |
| Ceiling | 11,000 m |
| Engines | 1x Tumansky R-28 (main) + 2x Rybinsk RD-38 (lift) |
Armament & Payload
2x R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) missiles; up to 2,000 kg of bombs/pods.