The Yakovlev Yak-28 was a swept wing, turbojet-powered combat aircraft used by the Soviet Union. Produced initially as a bomber, it was also manufactured in reconnaissance, electronic warfare, interceptor, and trainer versions were developed, known by the NATO reporting names Brewer, Firebar, and Maestro respectively. It was based on prototypes first flown on 5 March 1958, it began to enter service in 1960.
It was first seen by the West at the Tushino air show on May Day 1961. Western analysts initially believed it to be a fighter rather than an attack aircraft--and a continuation of the Yak-25M, at that--and it was designated 'Flashlight.' After its actual role was realized, the Yak-28 bomber series was redesignated 'Brewer.'
Total production of all Yak-28s was about 700. The Yak-28P was withdrawn in the early 1980s, but trainer and other versions soldiered on until after the fall of the Soviet Union, flying until at least 1992. The 'Brewer' recce and ECM aircraft were eventually replaced by variants of the Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer.'
Description
The Yak-28 had a large mid-mounted wing, swept at 45 degrees. The tailplane is set halfway up the vertical fin (with cut-outs to allow rudder movement). Slotted flaps are mounted on the leading edges of the wings. The two Tumanskii R-11 turbojet engines, intially with 57 kN (12,795 lb) thrust each, are mounted in pods, similar to the previous Yak-25. The wing-mounted engines and bicycle-type main landing gear (supplemented by outrigger wheels in fairings near the wingtips) are widely spaced, allowing most of the fuselage to be used for fuel and equipment. It was primarily transsonic, although Mach 1 could be exceeded at higher altitude.
Variants
Many versions of the Yak-28 were produced. The first three, designated 'Brewer-A', 'Brewer-B', and 'Brewer-C' by NATO, were tactical bombers, with a glazed nose section for a navigator/bombardier, an internal weapons bay for up to 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) of ordnance, a forward-firing cannon (initially the 23 mm NR-23, later the GSh-23L twin-barrel weapon), and wing pylons for additional bombs or rocket pods. The original 'Brewer-A' and 'Brewer-B' models did not enter mass production, and the first series-produced model was the Yak-28B ('Brewer-C'), with longer engine inlets and a redesigned navigator station. A notable feature was the RBP-3 radar bombsight .
In 1961 the Yak-28B was upgraded to the Yak-28L, with a new 'Lotos' radar bombing system, and in 1962 replaced by the Yak-28I, with 'Initiativa' radar. Engines were replaced by the R-11AF2-300 with 62 kN (13,670 lb) thrust. Some Yak-28Bs were upgraded with the 'Initiativa' radar and redesignated Yak-28BI. Some Yak-28Ls were later modified for monitoring of radioactive contamination, with the designation Yak-28RR.
The Yak-28R (NATO 'Brewer-D') was a dedicated reconnaissance version, retaining the glazed nose, but adding a search radar with a ventral radome.
The Yak-28PP (NATO 'Brewer-E') was a modified 'Brewer-C' outfitted for the electronic warfare/electronic countermeasures role. It used its weapons bay for an extensive EW suite. Wing pylons were retained for fuel tanks or rocket pods. Early Yak-28PPs may have retained their cannon, but it was eventually deleted.
The Yak-28U (NATO 'Maestro') was a trainer version with an instructor cockpit behind the standard cockpit.
A dedicated long-range interceptor version, the Yak-28P (NATO 'Firebar') was developed in 1965-1966. It omitted the internal weapons bay in favor of additional fuselage tanks (its fuel capacity was considerable, limited by weight rather than volume), and added a new 'Oriol-D' interception radar compatible with the R-98 (AA-3 'Anab') air-to-air missile. The cannon was eventually deleted.
Specifications (Yak-28P)
General Characteristics
- Crew: two
- Length: 21.6 m (75 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 12.50 m (41 ft 0 in)
- Height: 3.95 m (12 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 37.6 m² (405 ft²)
- Empty: 13,150 kg (29,000 lb)
- Loaded: 15,000 kg (33,000 lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)
- Powerplant: 2x Tumanskii R-11 afterburning turbojets, 46 kN (10,140 lb) (dry), 62 kN (13,670 lb) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,200 km/h (750 mph)
- Range: 2,500 km (1,550 miles)
- Service ceiling: 16,750 m (55,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
- Wing loading: 531 kg/m² (108.6 lb/ft²)
- Thrust-to-weight ratio: 0.62:1
Armament
Related content
Related development: Yakovlev Yak-25
Comparable aircraft: A-6 Intruder - Blackburn Buccaneer - F-101 Voodoo - Sud Aviation Vautour
Designation sequence: Yak-25 - Yak-26 - Yak-27 - Yak-28 - Yak-30 - Yak-32 - Yak-33
Last updated: 02-10-2005 20:05:49
