A vertical-takeoff strike aircraft developed for operation from Soviet aviation cruisers.
Development
Yakovlev Yak-38 was developed by Yakovlev Design Bureau in Soviet Union as a attack aircraft. The family first flew in 1971 and entered service in 1976. Its recorded airframe configuration is fixed wing, with the family classified in the archive as core combat-aircraft scope.
Operational History
Operationally, Yakovlev Yak-38 is represented primarily in the attack aircraft role. The sourced variant records include service with Soviet Naval Aviation. The current structured record does not attach a specific conflict authority to this family; operational context remains limited to sourced service and role data. Role tags attached to the family include carrier based and battlefield interdiction.
Variants and Lineage
Major variants represented in the structured record include Yak-38 and Yak-38M.
Variants
| Designation | Type | Role | Recorded operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yak-38 | Production | Attack | Soviet Naval Aviation |
| Yak-38M | Production | Strike Fighter | Soviet Naval Aviation |
Sources and further reading
Structured references supporting this aircraft family, variants, specifications, and narrative sections.
- The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995 — Osprey Aerospace · Tier 3