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Yakovlev Yak-44

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Yakovlev Yak-44
Company typeConceptual aircraft
IndustryAerospace
Founded1979
FounderYakovlev design bureau
Defunct1993
FateProject cancelled following dissolution of the Soviet Union
Headquarters
Soviet Union
Area served
Soviet Navy
ProductsAirborne Early Warning aircraft (conceptual)
ParentYakovlev design bureau


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File:Полетная палуба ТААКР Ульяновск.jpg
Yak-44 alongside the Su-33 on the flight deck of the Ulyanovsk.

The Yakovlev Yak-44 (Russian: Як-44) was a conceptual twin-turboprop Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, similar in role and appearance to the United States Navy's E-2 Hawkeye. It was designed to operate from the Soviet Navy's Ulyanovsk class supercarrier vessels. Both the Yak-44 and its intended carrier were cancelled following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A full-scale model featuring foldable wings was constructed.

Design and development

During the late 1970s, the Soviet Navy initiated plans to construct large aircraft carriers capable of deploying conventional fixed-wing aircraft, moving away from the VSTOL Yakovlev Yak-38 jets used on existing Kiev class aircraft carriers. To maximize operational capability, these new carriers required a dedicated shipborne airborne early warning (AEW) platform. Consequently, in 1979, the Yakovlev design bureau was tasked with creating such an aircraft.[1][2] While AEW was the primary mission, plans also included variants for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and carrier on-board delivery (COD) roles.[2][3]

The final Yak-44E design shared a similar configuration and dimensions with the American Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, which fulfilled comparable duties aboard U.S. carriers. It featured a twin-engine high-wing monoplane layout with a rotating radar dome (rotodome) mounted atop the fuselage. However, the Yak-44 was engineered to carry significantly more fuel, resulting in a heavier airframe.[2][3] Propulsion was provided by two Progress D-27 propfan engines, each delivering approximately 14,000 ehp (10,290 kW) to contra-rotating propellers. The pressurized cabin accommodated a crew of five. The rotodome housed an NPO Vega pulse-doppler radar system that could be retracted to reduce overall height for storage below deck within the carrier’s hangar. Additionally, the wings folded upward to conserve space, and a twin-tail assembly was incorporated.[2][4]

Structurally reinforced for catapult launches and arrested recoveries, the Yak-44 was also capable of operating from ski-jump ramps found on Project 1143.5 carriers (later known as the Admiral Kuznetsov class).[5]

A comprehensive full-scale mockup was completed in 1991 and received approval with minor revisions from Soviet Naval Aviation (A-VMF). However, following the Soviet Union’s collapse later that year, progress stalled. The catapult-equipped Ulyanovsk carrier was cancelled and dismantled, while construction of the second Admiral Kuznetsov class carrier—the Varyag—was left unfinished. Ultimately, the Yak-44 project was terminated by the Russian Navy in 1993.[5][6][7]

Specifications (Yak-44E)

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See also

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References

Notes
  1. ↑ Gardiner and Chumbley 1995, p. 372.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Gordon, Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 347.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 201.
  4. ↑ Gunston and Gordon 1997, pp. 201–202.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gordon, Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 348.
  6. ↑ Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 202.
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Brasseys96 p180-1
Bibliography
  • Gardiner, Robert and Stephen Chumbley. Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1995. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • 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 and Yefim Gordon. Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1997. ISBN 1-55750-978-6.
  • Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World's Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/97. London: Brassey's, 1996. ISBN 1-57488-063-2.

External links

  • Large-scale replica of the Yak-44E displayed at the A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau museum
    • Information about the Design Bureau museum at A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau
  • Technical line drawing
  • Eagle Eye Fleet: Yak-44E Radar Patrol and Control Aircraft, March 2008 issue of Oboronnyy Zakaz (Defense Order), article by Vadim Abidin, available via A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau and Kryl'ia Rodiny (Wings of the Motherland) magazine

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