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Yakovlev Yak-40

From Alfawiki
Yakovlev Design Bureau
IndustryAerospace
Founded1934
FounderAlexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev
Headquarters
Moscow
,
Soviet Union (now Russia)
ProductsAircraft including the Yakovlev Yak-40 regional jet


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The Yakovlev Yak-40 (Russian: Яковлев Як-40; known by NATO as Codling) is a regional jet developed by the Soviet design bureau Yakovlev. This three-engine aircraft first flew in 1966 and was manufactured between 1967 and 1981. It entered operational service in 1968, with export versions becoming available from 1970 onward.

Development

In the early 1960s, Aeroflot—the Soviet state airline—operated jet and turboprop aircraft on major domestic and international routes. However, many local flights, often departing from grass airstrips, still relied on outdated piston-powered planes such as the Ilyushin Il-12, Ilyushin Il-14, and Lisunov Li-2.[1] To modernize these services, Aeroflot sought a turbine-powered replacement capable of operating reliably from short unpaved runways (under 700 m or 2,300 ft) in adverse weather conditions.[2] The task of designing this aircraft was assigned to the Yakovlev bureau.

Yakovlev explored various configurations including turboprop and jet options, as well as vertical takeoff and landing concepts using lift jets installed either within the fuselage or wing pods. Ultimately, they chose a straight-wing tri-jet layout intended to accommodate between 20 and 25 passengers. The propulsion system selected consisted of the newly developed Ivchenko AI-25 turbofan engines produced by Ivchenko-Progress in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.[3]

Design

File:Яковлев Як-40 9840259, Москва - Внуково RP6897.jpg
Center engine equipped with a bucket-style thrust reverser
File:Яковлев Як-40 9721354, Москва - Домодедово RP3113.jpg
Yak-40 flight deck
File:Airstairs on Yak-40 RA-87500.jpg
Rear perspective highlighting the integrated airstairs at the aft fuselage

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The Yak-40 features a low-mounted, cantilever wing design with straight, unswept wings, complemented by a prominent T-tail and retractable tricycle landing gear. The passenger section is positioned forward of the wing, while the short rear fuselage accommodates three turbofan engines: two mounted on short pylons along the fuselage sides and a third embedded in the rear fuselage. This rear engine receives airflow through a dorsal intake connected via an "S-duct," similar to the aircraft's auxiliary power unit, which enables engine starts without ground equipment even on rudimentary airstrips.[4][5] Powered by three AI-25 two-shaft turbofans each producing 14.7 kN (3,300 lbf), these engines initially lacked jetpipes and thrust reversers.[6][7]

The fuselage is pressurized with an internal diameter measuring 2.4 metres (94 inches). The cockpit accommodates the pilot and co-pilot seated side-by-side. The passenger cabin typically offers seating for 24 to 27 individuals arranged in three seats per row; however, a four-abreast configuration can increase capacity to 32 passengers. Boarding is facilitated through ventral airstairs located at the rear of the fuselage.[7][8]

Equipped with large trailing-edge slotted flaps, the wing does not incorporate other high-lift devices but achieves necessary short-field performance through its low wing loading. The wings converge at the centerline, supported by a main spar extending from tip to tip. Integral fuel tanks within the wings hold up to 3,800 litres (1,000 US gallons; 840 imperial gallons). A substantial vertical stabilizer swept back at approximately 50 degrees shifts the horizontal tailplane aft to offset the short rear fuselage length. The horizontal stabilizer itself remains unswept.[5][9]

Notably, the Yak-40 was the first airliner constructed in the Soviet Union to comply with Western airworthiness standards.[10]

Operational history

The initial prototype among five completed conducted its first flight on 21 October 1966, with serial production commencing at the Saratov Aviation Plant in 1967. Soviet certification for the model was obtained in 1968. The aircraft began its inaugural passenger service with Aeroflot on 30 September 1968. In 1970, the Yak-40 suffered its first fatal crash and total loss during Aeroflot Flight Sh-4. The 1972 revision eliminated the tailspin feature. A further update in 1974 extended the aircraft's non-stop range and relocated the forward right-side door to align with the sixth window.

The final Yak-40 modification occurred in 1975, reducing the number of cabin windows on the right from nine to eight.

Production concluded in November 1981, with the Saratov facility having manufactured between 1,011 and 1,013 units. By 1993, Aeroflot’s Yak-40 fleet had transported 354 million passengers. Besides serving as a key component of Aeroflot’s domestic network—operating flights to 276 internal destinations by 1980—the Yak-40 also achieved export success. It was notably the first Russian/Soviet aircraft to receive airworthiness certificates from Italy and West Germany and was showcased in 75 countries worldwide, including the United States, where orders were placed.

Approximately 130 Yak-40s were exported to various nations including Afghanistan, Angola, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Laos, Madagascar, the Philippines, Poland, Syria, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, and Zambia.

As of July 2021, testing commenced on a Yak-40 fitted with an electric propeller engine mounted in the nose.

Variants

Source: OKB Yakovlev

  • Yak-40 – Initial production variant.
  • Yak-40-25 – Military adaptation featuring a MiG-25R nose and SRS-4A ELINT system.
  • Yak-40 Akva (Aqua) – Military version equipped with a nose probe, pylon-mounted sensors, fuselage dispenser, and underwing active jamming pods.
  • Yak-40D (Dal'niy – long-range) – Extended non-stop flight capability.
  • Yak-40EC – Export model.
  • Yak-40 Fobos (Phobos) – Military variant with two dorsal observation domes and removable side windows.
  • Yak-40K – Cargo/convertible/combi version featuring a large freight door; produced between 1975 and 1981.
  • Yak-40 Kalibrovshchik – Military ELINT modification with an array of blade, dipole, and planar antennas.
  • Yak-40L – Proposed variant powered by two Lycoming LF507-1N turbofans; a joint project between Skorost and Textron Lycoming with a slightly swept-wing design.
  • Yak-40 Liros – Military version incorporating a nose probe for air-data sensors.
  • Yak-40M – Planned stretched passenger model accommodating 40 seats.
  • Yak-40 M-602 – Flight test platform fitted with a Czechoslovak M 602 turboprop engine in the nose.
  • Yak-40 Meteo – Military conversion featuring multipole dipole antennas and fuselage dispenser.
  • Yak-40P – Variant based on Yak-40L with prominent nacelles extending forward of the wings.
  • Yak-40REO – Military configuration with large ventral canoe housing IR linescan equipment and a lateral observation blister on the right side.
  • Yak-40 Shtorm – Military version equipped with multiple probes and forward sidewall sensors.
  • Yak-40TL – Proposed upgrade powered by three Lycoming LF507 turbofan engines.
  • Yak-40V – Export variant driven by three AI-25T turbofan engines.
  • Yak-40MS – Experimental upgrade featuring two Honeywell TFE731-5 turbofans developed by SibNIA.
  • STR-40DT – Proposed twin-engine composite-wing derivative inspired by the TVS-2DTS design; also developed by SibNIA. This model received endorsement but lacked official support from Yakovlev.

Civilian operators

File:Yakovlev Yak-40 HA-LRA cabin.jpg
Yak-40 cabin featuring a three-abreast seating layout

As of July 2019, only 22 out of the original 1,011 Yakovlev Yak-40 aircraft were actively operated by civilian carriers. The operational status of several Yak-40s belonging to smaller charter airlines in Russia and Central Asia remains unclear, alongside the uncertain location of one aircraft owned by Air Libya Tibesti following the civil conflict. The majority of the currently active Yak-40s have been adapted for VIP charter use, with fewer than ten continuing regular passenger services. The following are known operators:

Template:AFG
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Template:ANG
Template:Country data Azerbaijan
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  • Belarus Government
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File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic
  • Czech Republic Government – previously operated
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Template:FRG
  • General Air – previously operated
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  • Rollins Air – previously operated
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  • Malév – previously operated
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Template:KAZ
  • Air Kazakhstan – previously operated
  • Air Kokshetau – previously operated
  • Bek Air – previously operated
  • East Kazakhstan Region Air Enterprise – operates two cargo-configured aircraft
  • Euro-Asia Air – previously operated
  • Semeyavia – previously operated
  • Tulpar Air Service – previously operated
  • Zhetysu Aviakompania – operates two aircraft: one for charter and one configured for cargo transport
  • Zhezkazgan Air – operates two in scheduled service
Template:Country data Kyrgyzstan
Template:Country data Libya
File:Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania
Template:Country data Moldova
File:Flag of Peru.svg Peru
  • Expreso Aéreo – previously operated
  • Servicios Aéreos Amazónicos – previously operated
  • T Doble A (Transportes Aéreos Andahuaylas) – previously operated
Template:PHI
Template:POL
Template:RUS
File:Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia
  • Slovak Government– formerly in operation
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  • Aeroflot– formerly in operation
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  • Syrian Arab Airlines– formerly in operation
Template:Country data Tajikistan
  • Tajikistan Airlines– formerly in operation
Template:Country data Turkmenistan
  • Turkmenistan Airlines– formerly in operation
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  • Motor Sich Airlines
  • Aerostar Airlines– formerly in operation
  • Constanta Airlines operates one aircraft configured as a lounge, exclusively for charter purposes
  • Challenge Aero– formerly in operation
Template:Country data Uzbekistan
  • Uzbekistan Airways– formerly in operation
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  • Oriental de Aviación– formerly in operation
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  • Vietnam Airlines– formerly in operation

Military users

File:RA-88296 Yak40 Severstal (6679463821).jpg
Yak-40 during takeoff

Template:More citations needed section As of November 2012, fewer than 17 Yak-40 aircraft are believed to be active in military roles, with the exact number uncertain due to the situation in Syria. The confirmed military operators include:

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Angolan Air Force – 1 unit reported as of December 2016.[11]
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Bulgarian Air Force – 1 unit recorded in 1987.[12]
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Cuban Air Force – 2 units noted in 1987.[13]
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Czechoslovak Air Force – previously operated
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Czech Air Force – 1 aircraft in service as of December 2016.[14]
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East German Air Force – formerly operated
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Ethiopian Air Force – currently has one unit active
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Military of Equatorial Guinea – utilized as presidential transport
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Guinea-Bissau Air Force – past operator
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Hungarian Air Force – no longer in service
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Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan – maintains one aircraft in service
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Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force – previous operator
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Lithuanian Air Force – formerly operated
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Military of Madagascar – two aircraft currently active
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Polish Air Force – no longer operating
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Russian Air Force – one Yak-40 remains operational
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Serbian Air Force – former user
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Syrian Air Force – up to six aircraft reportedly active, though airworthiness is uncertain
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Soviet Air Force – previous operator
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Vietnam People's Air Force – no longer in use
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Yemen Air Force – two units still in service
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Yugoslav Air Force – former operator
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Zambian Air Force – previously operated
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Air Force of Zimbabwe – past user[15]

Accidents and incidents

Main article: List of accidents and incidents involving the Yakovlev Yak-40

Technical specifications (Yak-40)

File:Yakovlev Yak-40 3-view line drawing.svg
Three-view illustration of Yakovlev Yak-40
File:Yak-40 projects.png
Conceptual VTOL and four-engine variants of the Yak-40

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See also

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References

  1. ↑ Stroud 1968, p. 269–270.
  2. ↑ Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 185.
  3. ↑ Gunston and Gordon 1997, pp. 185–186.
  4. ↑ Stroud 1968, p. 270–272.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gordon Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 303
  6. ↑ Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 187.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Janes 76 p448–9
  8. ↑ Stroud 1968, pp. 272–273.
  9. ↑ Gunston and Gordon 1997, pp. 186–187.
  10. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 26.
  12. ↑ Hatch Flight International 28 November 1987, p. 44
  13. ↑ Hatch Flight International 28 November 1987, p. 49
  14. ↑ Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, pp. 33–34.
  15. ↑ Cooper et al. 2011, pp. 210, 235–236

Bibliography

  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Gordon, Yefim, Dmitry Komissarov, and Sergey Komissarov. OKB Yakovlev: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2005. ISBN 1-85780-203-9.
  • Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
  • Gunston, Bill and Yefim Gordon. Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1997. ISBN 1-55750-978-6.
  • Hatch, Paul F. "World's Air Forces 1987". Flight International. Vol. 132, No. 4090, 28 November 1987, pp. 36–106. Template:ISSN
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 190, No. 5566, 6–12 December 2016, pp. 22–53. Template:ISSN.
  • Ottenhof, Guus; Hillman, Peter; and Jessup, Stuart. Soviet Transports. Aviation Hobby World, 1996. ISBN 0-907178-60-X.
  • Stroud, John. Soviet Transport Aircraft since 1945. London: Putnam, 1968. ISBN 0-370-00126-5.
  • Thisdell, Dan and Seymour, Chris. "World Airliner Census". Flight International, Vol. 196, No. 5694, 30 July–5 August 2019. Template:ISSN. pp. 24–47.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.

External links

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