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Nice article in Russian from Krilya Rodina on Yak-38 with some nice photos.
http://www.yak.ru/DOCS/2008_5.pdf
http://www.yak.ru/DOCS/2008_5.pdf
Neither of those projects moved anywhere far. It was quickly found out that installation of any kind of radar would require a complete redesign of the nose cone. Also, the range of basic Yak-38 was deemed completely inadequate for any kind of fleet protection. So the improved, radar-equipped plane - the Yak-39 - was designed instead:- Yak-38MP : a multi-role fighter project based on the Yak-38M. It was supposed to use the S-41 weapons control system. In addition, the wing was supposed to have a slight extension at the front, similar to that of the AV-8B .
- Yak-38MT : a project for a multi-role fighter based on the Yak-38M developed in 1983-1984. It was supposed to use Kh-31, R-27 and R-77 missiles.
Does anyone have any more informations or pics ?
Thanks @Dilandu.Neither of those projects moved anywhere far. It was quickly found out that installation of any kind of radar would require a complete redesign of the nose cone. Also, the range of basic Yak-38 was deemed completely inadequate for any kind of fleet protection. So the improved, radar-equipped plane - the Yak-39 - was designed instead:
View attachment 707360
Yak-39 was supposed to replace Yak-38 as both fighter (Yak-39I) and attack plane (Yak-38Sh) and even two-seater training plane (Yak-38UT, but it was cancelled early, because Yak-39U trainer was deemed sufficient). The project was reasonably well-advanced - the first prototype was expected in 1985 - but in 1983 the project was cancelled. The reason was, that first prototype of supersonic Yak-41 VSTOL was near completion, and it was assumed that it would be available soon. It was a large mistake, actually; the Yak-41 was found to be problematic, and first flight was achieved only in 1987, so Yak-39 actually was needed.