Yakovlev Yak-28 (Brewer / Firebar)

History of Yakovlev Yak 28 (beer/artillery)

Post-World War II swept-wing research coupled with advanced turbojet technology enabled the Soviet Union to field many capable aircraft types during the Cold War decades. An often overlooked multi-role performer is the Yakovlev Yak-28, which began service as a medium-speed tactical bomber.

The product line eventually evolved to cover a variety of Soviet military aviation needs, including trainers, interceptors, fast reconnaissance aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft (EWA)/electronic countermeasures (ECM) platforms. Due to the variety of forms, NATO provides three different designations for each major variant - "Brewer" (the A, B and C characters in the tactical bomber form), "Maestro" (two-seat trainer) and "Firebar" (Interceptor form).

The Scout variant falls under the Brewer-D designation, the EWA/ECM version retains the original Brewer name as Brewer-E.

The Yakovlev Concern began official operations in 1934, just before World War II, when several notable military aircraft were produced, including the Yak-1, Yak-3, Yak-3 and Yak-9 piston-engine fighter jets. It also developed the Yak-38 "Forger" vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) fighter for the Soviet Navy.

Development

The first flight of the Yak-28 prototype (model designation "Yak-129") took place in the 5th competition in 1958, and after passing the necessary tests, the aircraft was included in the Soviet Air Force's inventory armament Troops started in 1960. The eventual deployment expanded to the general air defense sector of the Soviet Union and post-Cold War/post-Soviet service with emerging Russia, independent Ukraine, and independent Turkmenistan.

1,180 prototypes were produced and the first deliveries were of the tactical bomber type, albeit in limited numbers and without radar facilities.

As in the Cold War years, the Yak-28 was unknown to Western observers until it was publicly displayed at the 1961 Tushino Air Show. The West incorrectly identified the aircraft as an evolution of the Yak-25 "Flashlight" intercept/reconnaissance line and assigned the same designation. Despite some physical similarities, the plane was later found to be an entirely new design, codenamed "Brewer."

Yak-28 Drill

The design of the Yak-28 continued a very traditional, no-frills approach consistent with other Soviet turbojets of the time. Its layout is conventional, using an external engine nacelle mounted under the swept wing attachment.

This facilitates general maintenance and replacement, but adds drag compared to a fuselage where the engine is buried in the fuselage. The wings are high-mounted monoplanes, with good clearance for the store below the wings by means of two pylons outside the engine nacelles. The fuselage is generally tubular with a pointed cone arrangement, a framed canopy projected amidships, and a swept-back empennage with a high level.

Much attention has also been paid to the appearance of the aircraft to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency at the expected higher operating speeds. If the Yak-28 has one unconventional aspect, it's its landing gear, which uses a two-wheeled front strut and a two-wheeled rear fuselage strut.

Single wheel rods near the wingtips help support each wing during ground operation. Overall, the landing gear gives the aircraft a distinct "nose-up" appearance, with the fuselage very close to the ground.

Yak-28 bomber variant

The Yak-28 was born as a medium-range tactical bomber, initially delivered in a limited production base version designated the Yak-28. This is followed by the Yak-28B ("Brewer-A") bomber variant, which adds weapons-assisted radar capabilities and supports JATO (Jet Assisted Takeoff) pods for quick-reaction launches.

Another tactical bomber form was the Yak-28L ("Brewer-B"), which was fitted with a ground targeting system, and production of this model reached 111. The Yak-28I ("Brewer-C") integrates an airborne ground-mapping radar and targeting system for increased tactical value. The brand produced 223 units.

Yak-28P Interceptor

The Yak-28P became a long-range, targeted missile-armed interceptor that could be deployed in relatively short periods of time against predatory Western bombers or spy planes. This model was born in 1960 and entered service in 1964.

These versions do not have the internal bomb bay of the tactical bomber brethren, allowing for the use of more onboard fuel supplies. The interceptor radar is standard and built into the nose cone assembly, while it is integrated into the aircraft's missile-only payload. 435 aircraft were produced.

Performance of Yak-28P interceptor

The Yak-28P is powered by two Tumansky R-11 series afterburner turbojets, providing 10,140 pounds of dry thrust and 13,670 pounds of afterburner. Top speed is 1,140 mph, range is up to 1,550 miles, and service is capped at 55,000 feet. Armament typically consists of 2 x R-98M (AA-3 "Anab") medium-range air-to-air missiles and 2 x K-13A (AA-2 "Atoll") short-range air-to-air missiles.

The aircraft carries a mix of R-98M missiles, usually infrared homing and semi-active radar homing versions. No internal cannon was installed.

Two Yak-28U "Master" trainers

The Yak-28U ("Maestro") is a standard Yak-28 trainer that integrates the student pilot's second cockpit into the nose cone assembly. This preserves an impressive overhead view for the coach sitting in the original (now rear) cockpit.

The first prototype entered service in 1962, with production reaching 183 units.

Yak-28R "Brewer-D" Tactical Scout Mount

Tactical reconnaissance sorties are performed by the Yak-28R ("Brewer-D") variant, which has a special heavy glass nose cone and additional reconnaissance equipment. This model is based on the previous Yak-28I tactical bomber model. A prototype appeared in 1963, with final production reaching 183 units.

The Yak-28SR is another limited edition reconnaissance aircraft equipped with the SPS-141 or SPS0143 series active radio/radar jammer kits. The Yak-28TARK is another reconnaissance platform that provides real-time image acquisition and integration for ground control receivers for subsequent interpretation.

The Yak-28RR used specialized equipment pods to study the radiation data environment associated with Soviet nuclear weapons testing, and the Yak-28RL aircraft had a similar range and capability.

Yak-28PP in EWA form

The Yak-28PP is an airframe modified for an electronic countermeasures (ECM) role, with an electronic warfare (EW) kit in the internal bomb bay and a special streamlined pod mounted outside the engine nacelle. These airframes are usually unarmed and used only to jam enemy signals.

In the EWA role, the Yak-28 was officially replaced by the similarly equipped Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" aircraft. The Su-24 also took over high-speed reconnaissance missions from the retired Yak-28.

Experimental Yak-28 Project

The Yak-28UVP became a test bed dedicated to testing STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) operations. The Yak-28SR was a single-use airframe used to test chemical sprayingnone of which entered service. The Yak-28VV is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-equipped prototype that has never been ordered for service.

The Yak-28LSh was another abandoned project to field a light attack platform designed to meet the new requirements of the Soviet Air Force - it was not selected. The Yak-28PM is intended as a modern interceptor form allowing the use of R11AF3-300 series turbojets. Testing began in 1963, but was slowed by engine problems, and when engine development ended, so did the Yak-28PM project.

The Yak-28URP tested a missile booster for fast interception of enemy aircraft at high altitudes. The Yak-28-64 is a modified Yak-28P with a Tumansky R-11F2-300 series turbojet, now buried in the rear fuselage in a side-by-side configuration (similar to the Mikoyan MiG-19). The engine is drawn in through the side air intakes on the outer wall of the cockpit.

The type was developed as a competitor to the Sukhoi Su-15 project, which eventually won the Sukhoi contract, as the Yakovlev product proved to be a good performer in the competition.

Final Yak-28 usage

The last Yak-28 was phased out by the Russian Air Force in the early 1990s (the last Russian example was not known until 1992). The Russian Air Force naturally inherited the stockpile of Yak-28s from the defunct Soviet Aviation Ministry (1991). Likewise, Ukraine had around 35 Yak-28s after the fall of the Soviet Empire.

Turkmenistan became the airline's only significant operator.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes