Yak-28P Interceptor Performance
The Yak-28P was powered by 2 x Tumansky R-11 series afterburning turbojet engines delivering 10,140lbs on dry thrust and 13,670lbs with afterburning engaged. Maximum speed was 1,140 miles per hour with a range out to 1,550 miles and a service ceiling of 55,000 feet. Armament was generally 2 x R-98M (AA-3 "Anab") medium-ranged, air-to-air missiles and 2 x K-13A (AA-2 "Atoll") short-ranged air-to-air missiles. The aircraft carried a mix of R-98M missiles, typically an infrared homing and a semi-active radar homing version. No internal cannon was fitted.
Yak-28U "Maestro" Two-Seat Trainer
The Yak-28U ("Maestro") was the standard Yak-28 trainer which incorporated a second cockpit for a student pilot in the nose cone assembly. This retained a commanding, elevated view for the instructor seated in the original (now rear) cockpit. The initial prototype went airborne in 1962 and production reached 183 units.
The Yak-28R "Brewer-D" Tactical Reconnaissance Mounts
Tactical reconnaissance sorties were managed by the Yak-28R ("Brewer-D") variant which featured a special, heavily glazed nose cone and additional reconnaissance equipment for the role. This model was based on the preceding Yak-28I tactical bomber airframe. A prototype appeared in 1963 and production eventually reached 183 examples. The Yak-28SR was another reconnaissance form of limited production outfitted with either the SPS-141 or SPS0143 series active radio/radar jamming suite. The Yak-28TARK was yet another reconnaissance platform which allowed for real-time image gathering and integration for a ground control receiver for subsequent interpretation. The Yak-28RR utilized specialized equipment pods to sample environments for fallout data as related to Soviet nuclear weapons testing and Yak-28RL aircraft were of similar scope and function.
The Yak-28PP in EWA Form
The Yak-28PP was an airframe conversion for the Electronic CounterMeasure (ECM) role, equipped with an Electronic Warfare (EW) suite in the internal bomb bay and special streamlined pods fitted outboard of the engine nacelles. These airframes were typically unarmed for the role, intended to solely jam enemy signals. In the EWA role, the Yak-28 was formally replaced by similarly-equipped Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" aircraft. The Su-24 also took over the high-speed reconnaissance role from retiring Yak-28s.
Yak-28 Experimental Projects
The Yak-28UVP became a testbed intended to experiment with Short Take-Off and landing (STOL) operations. The Yak-28SR was a one-off airframe testing chemical spraying - none entered formal service. The Yak-28VV was a prototype outfitted for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) that was never ordered for service. The Yak-28LSh was another abandoned project intended to field a light attack platform engineered to a new Soviet Air Force requirement - it was not selected. The Yak-28PM was intended as a modernized interceptor form bringing about use of the R11AF3-300 series turbojet engine. Testing began in 1963 but was slowed by engine issues and, when engine development ended, so too did the Yak-28PM project. The Yak-28URP tested rocket-boost equipment for fast interception of high-altitude enemy aircraft. The Yak-28-64 was a one-off modified Yak-28P outfitted with Tumansky R-11F2-300 series turbojet engines, now buried in the rear fuselage in a side-by-side configuration (similar to the Mikoyan MiG-19). The engines were aspirated by side-mounted intakes along the outer cockpit walls. The type was being developed as a contender against the Sukhoi Su-15 project which eventually netted Sukhoi the contract as the Yakovlev product was shown to be outmatched by the competition.
Final Yak-28 Usage
The final Yak-28s were retired from the Russian Air Force in the early 1990s (final Russian examples known until 1992). The Russian Air Force naturally inherited its stock of Yak-28s from the collapsed aviation arm of the Soviet Union (1991). Similarly, the Ukraine took over possession of some 35 Yak-28s after the end of the Soviet Empire. Turkmenistan became the only notable operator of the aircraft line.
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