|
In 1975, the Soviet Defense Ministry required Yakovlev OKB
to design an advance version of new carrier based VTOL fighter which was
intended to replace the Yak-38 Forger for an air defense of the Kiev class
carriers / cruisers, with secondary attack capabilities. The project was
assigned as the standard military fighter designation, Yak-41. It operates
with two lift-jets mounted vertically behind the cockpit and a vectoring
nozzle on the main engine. Four prototypes were ordered but the
development was delayed by financial constraints. In 1987, the first
prototype made its first flight. In 1991, it set records for rapid climb
and became the Russian first supersonic VTOL fighter. In 1992, one of the
prototype was displayed at the Farnborough air show and was classified the
true designation, Yak-141. A year later, due to lack of funds, the Yak-141
program was terminated.
|
