Difference between revisions of "Yak-38"

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This page is about the premium Soviet strike aircraft Yak-38. For the regular version, see Yak-38M.

Yak-38

360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/0/02/Cockpit_yak-38.jpg

Yak-38

USSR

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.3	9.3	9.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Strike aircraft

Naval aircraft

Purchase:8 910

Show in game

Description

During the late 1960s, Yakovlev Design Bureau set out to build the Soviet Union's first VTOL fighter, after witnessing the success of the Hawker P.1154 VTOL testbed from Great Britain. Initially lacking funding for research and development of proper VTOL technology, Yakovlev presented the Yak-36 created with what little they had. The Yak-36 was a failure by most metrics, with only four built and only one performing VTOL flight, which later crashed in testing. However, to Yakovlev it was a massive success, as this design convinced the Soviet government to fund the development of a proper Soviet VTOL program. Yakovlev presented a supersonic design with swivelling nozzles similar to those found on the Harrier family, but this was deemed too complex and expensive. Instead, the Soviet government ordered a simpler, cheaper VTOL aircraft primarily for naval operation aboard their new Project 1143 Heavy Aircraft Cruisers. This new aircraft would be limited in speed to Mach 0.95, and would function as both a fleet defence fighter, armed with air-to-air missiles for interception, and also as a naval strike fighter, carrying a multitude of both guided and unguided ordnance. Yakovlev OKB got to work, and on September 22nd, 1970, the first prototype of the Yak-38 performed its maiden flight. However, with new technology came many problems, and the Yak-38 would be plagued by an unacceptable amount of issues, which took many years to fix, before the Yak-38 officially entered service six years later in 1976.

The Yak-38 was introduced as a premium pack in Update "New Power" but was removed from the store after the 2022 Summer sale. The aircraft returned on the 22nd of September 2023 for the 52nd anniversary of its maiden flight as a premium purchasable using GE . Being a VTOL aircraft (Vertical Take-Off and Landing), the Yak-38 can perform stationary flight, offering new gameplay possibilities compared to conventional jet aircraft. However, like its tech tree equivalent, the Yak-38M, it is seriously underwhelming in conventional flight performance. However, what it lacks in flying is compensated by the powerful ordnance this aircraft can carry. It is armed with the formidable R-60 air-to-air missile, and its ground striking ordnance is no slouch either, with a selection of rocket pods, bombs, gunpods, and even the Kh-23M guided air-to-ground missile. All in all, this aircraft's play style serves more as a stepping stone, teaching the player how to work with a sub-optimal airframe that relies completely on its strong weapons to to well, as all other Yakovlev VTOL aircraft work with the same principle.

General info

Flight performance

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 0 m1 199 km/h

Turn time38 s

Max altitude12 500 m

EngineTumansky R-27V-300

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight10 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
Characteristics	AB	RB	Max altitude (metres)	AB	RB	AB	RB	Take-off run (metres)
Stock	1,190	1,186	12500	40.0	41.2	77.4	70.5	520
Upgraded	1,207	1,199	12500	37.3	38.6	113.1	94.3	520

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	X	✓	X	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1265	500	-	-	500	~12	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 650	< 850	< 920	-

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-27V-300 (main)		1	6,645 kg		502 kg/m²
Kolesov RD-36-35FV (lift jets)		2	6,645 kg		502 kg/m²
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		7m fuel	20m fuel	23m fuel	Max Takeoff Weight
1,350 kg (main)	Vectored-thrust axial-flow turbojet		7,470 kg	8,939 kg	9,395 kg	10,300 kg
198 kg (lift jet)	Axial-flow turbojet		7,470 kg	8,939 kg	9,395 kg	10,300 kg
Maximum main engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio in forward flight @ 0 m (100%)
Condition	100%	WEP	7m fuel	20m fuel	23m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	6,600 kgf	N/A	0.88	0.73	0.70	0.64
Optimal	6,600 kgf (0 km/h)	N/A	0.88	0.73	0.70	0.64
Maximum lift engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio in VTOL (all 3 engines) @ 0 m (100%)
Stationary	2,840 kgf	N/A	1.64	1.37	1.31	1.19

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural1 265 km/h

Gear500 km/h

The Yak-38 has no armour. It is a fairly large target with the entire fuselage being taken up with engines and fuel tanks.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB2 057

RB6 017

SB6 646

Crew training10 000

Experts850 000

Aces2 400

Research Aces1 900 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 110 / 320 / 600 %

2 × 220 / 220 / 220 %

Modifications

Flight performance

Survivability

Weaponry

Compressor

New boosters

Wings repair

Engine

Fuselage repair

Airframe

G-suit

Cover

Gun pod VSPU-36	FAB-250	UB-16	ZB-500
Gun pod UPK-23-250	FAB-500	UB-32	R-60
ns23_belt_pack	Kh-23M	B-8M1
ns23_new_gun		S-24

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

Main article: GSh-23L (23 mm)

The Yak-38 is armed with:

1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (160 rpg)

Suspended armament

The Yak-38 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4
23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)	1	1	1	1
100 kg OFAB-100 bombs	3	1	1	3
250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs	1	1	1	1
500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs	1			1
ZB-500 incendiary bombs	1			1
S-5KP rockets	16, 32	16	16	16, 32
S-8KO rockets	20			20
S-24B rockets	1	1	1	1
Kh-23M missiles	1*			1*
R-60 missiles	1	1	1	1
Delta-NG targeting pod			1*
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 450 kg
* Delta-NG targeting pod must be carried when equipping Kh-23M missiles

Default weapon presets

2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
2 x R-60 missiles
4 x R-60 missiles
64 x S-5KP rockets
64 x S-5KP rockets
40 x S-8KO rockets
4 x S-24B rockets
2 x Kh-23M missiles
8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (800 kg total)
4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)

Usage in battles

The Yak-38 is one of the most versatile aircraft in the Soviet tech tree as it has sufficient armament for all sorts of engagements: air-to-air, air-to-ground, air-to-sea. Thanks to its VTOL capabilities, it is able to achieve a "helicopter" playstyle if needed.

When in air battles

The Yak-38 has an impressive sort of armaments for all engagements when in air battles. It can be used as a standard fighter with gunpods, ground units destroyer with gunpods, rockets, missiles and bombs or as a missile fighter with its potent R-60 air-to-air missiles.

As a fighter:

The Yak-38 has 2 effective loadouts in Air RB. The 1st option is 4 x R-60 air-to-air missiles, which are highly manoeuvrable in short to medium range engagements, and can prove extremely potent against opponents at the battle rating, especially if they cannot use flares to counter them. The other option is to trade 2 of the R-60s for 2 x S-24 air to ground rockets. S-24 rockets have time-fuse capability; setting the time fuse to 1,000 m and shooting the rockets in a head-on at about 1.7-1.5 km distance could result in a kill, surprising your target (it is recommended to shoot both rockets in a quick succession). S-24 rockets can also act as pseudo-flares, just shoot one of them and dodge the other way when a potent IR missile is closing onto to you.

The Yak-38 has access to up to 4 rapid-firing 23 mm gunpods, capable of destroying ground units such as artillery, anti-air emplacements, armoured vehicles and even lightly-armoured vessels such as cargo ships. However, it is not recommended to bring the gunpods at the beginning of the match because it severely limits your performance and air-combat capabilities, use this loadout at the end of the game to ground pound when you are sure of victory. J out once landed and repaired on the airfield to change your loadout.

As a ground striker:

The ground ordnance on the Yak-38 leaves nothing to be desired, it carries a vast array of bomb, rockets and missiles loads which can be taken according to the situation. It has access to S-5KP unguided rockets which can be used against pillboxes, armoured vehicles such as tanks, enemy vessels such as destroyers and even enemy bases (not recommended as the TNT equivalent is really low compared to bombs). It has access to CCIP ballistic computer which make the aiming of suspended ordnance a really easy task when doing CAS strikes.

As a bomber:

Thanks to the bomb payload the Yak-38 carries, it is able to act as a low level lightning strike bomber (flying close to the ground as fast as possible) although it is not recommended as the payload it carries is not enough to take a single base completely (2 x 500 kg and 2 x 250 kg bombs). Playing as a bomber is not recommended in terms of cost-benefit but it is up to pilot's discretion.

When landing

Normal Landing:

If you are coming in for a landing, you need to get rid of your speed first. Unfortunately the Yak-38 has no airbrakes and weak flaps, so you can't easily reduce your speed if you are flying past 500 km/h with your flaps only. When you are close to the airfield, manoeuvre in circles until you have gotten rid of your speed. Once your speed has significantly reduced, move to the end of the runway and put your gear down and the flaps too if needed.

VTOL landing:

Approach the airfield and get rid of your speed. When you have reached the conventional landing speed, slowly increase the VTOL (with no engine power the VTOL has no power) and lift the plane so you can get rid of the remaining speed. When you have no forward movement left, you can turn on hover-mode and slowly remove the hover power (0% is stationary height, 100% is increasing height, -100% is lowering height). Reduce the hover power to 0 when close to the ground and avoid making contact with -100% hover power.

When in ground battles

This is the place where the Yak-38 shines, thanks to an unusual suspended ordnance, the manually-guided Kh-23M air-to-ground missile. The Kh-23M missile is controlled by the player via keyboard input like like other manually-guided missiles such as the Nord and Bullpup missile. Despite only being able to carry 2 missiles, each one can be a knock-out if used correctly. Use them in a top attack preferably at an azimuth greater than 35° from the target so that the missile has clear line of sight with zero obstructions (fences, trees, buildings, etc) and is able to penetrate the roof as it has a really low armour penetration. The missile is able to be fired at a 10 km range from the target although it is not recommended to do so unless the pilot is very skilled in terms of controlling manually guided missiles. Besides the Kh-23M, the Yak-38 has access to bombs and rockets which can be used with the ballistic computer to make pinpoint accuracy attacks on enemy targets. It is up to pilot's discretion to decide the suspended ordnance carried.

Pros and cons

Pros:

VTOL capability
Fast acceleration - one of the fastest subsonic jets, can quickly hit Mach 0.98 in level flight!
Plenty of payload options (20 setups)
Has access to the very efficient S-24B rockets and Kh-23M AGMs, as well as R-60 AAMs
CCIP for its guns and rockets mean you can easily target enemy ground units - S-24B rockets are especially effective

Cons:

Subsonic
Very small elevators with poor high-speed performance means slow turns
Massive energy loss during high speed turns
Cannot use thrust vectoring in cruise flight or combat, unlike the Harriers - nozzles and lift engines automatically disengage at cruise speed
No airbrakes, can be difficult to bleed enough speed for a regular landing, though it can use its VTOL engines as an airbrake once slower than 500 km/h
Vertical landings require careful consideration of your velocity bleed.
Somewhat fragile gear means careless landings can cause the plane to smash into the strip or carrier deck
Very high RPM combined with low RPG count means you have to be very careful when using the gun(s)
Lack of countermeasures

History

The Cold War era saw intense rivalry between the Western and Eastern blocs, not only in the political and ideological spheres but also in the military domain. A key aspect of this competition involved the development of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, which could operate from short runways and eventually from aircraft carriers. Several countries, such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, participated in these efforts and produced various prototypes and operational models of VTOL aircraft. However, the Soviet Union was initially reluctant to join this race, as it had a different strategic doctrine and a vast network of airfields. It was not until the late 1950s that the Soviet deputy minister, Dmitri Ustinov, recognized the value of VTOL technology and commissioned a new research platform for their own VTOL aircraft development. Yakovlev OKB (Experimental Design Bureau) was the only design bureau that showed interest in the project and was assigned the task.

The first design by Yakovlev was the Yak-30V (vertikalnyi - vertical), which featured two similar powerplants installed vertically. However, this design was abandoned after the British unveiled the Hawker P.1127 in 1960. Yakovlev OKB realized that they needed a more sophisticated solution to match their rivals. They opted for a similar concept to the P.1127, using thrust-vectoring nozzles to adjust the thrust direction.

The outcome was the Yak-36, which flew for the first time in 1963. The Yak-36 engines were a pair of Tumansky R-27-300 vectored thrust axial flow turbojets, each producing 51.993 kN (11,688 lbf) of thrust. The lower fuselage of the aircraft had swiveling exhaust nozzles on either side, one for each engine, close to the center of gravity. These nozzles could be rotated 90 degrees for VTOL or horizontal flight. The engines were derived from the compact and lightweight Tumansky RU-19-300 turbojet engine, which was originally used for a VTOL system proposal based on the Yak-30 jet trainer. The Yak-36 was designed to be a technology demonstrator, not an operational aircraft. It faced many challenges, such as instability, low thrust, and short range.

Nevertheless, Yakovlev OKB continued to improve the design and developed the Yak-36M, an entirely new aircraft that quickly got its own production designation: Yak-38. The Yak-38 addressed many of the problems faced by its predecessor with improvements in stability, thrust-to-weight ratio, range, and payload. It became the first operational VTOL aircraft in the Soviet Union and was primarily used by the Soviet Navy for shipborne operations. The Yak-38 had three engines: two Kolesov RD-36-35FV lift engines mounted vertically behind the cockpit and one Tumansky R-28V-300 cruise engine mounted horizontally in the rear fuselage with a vectorable nozzle. The lift engines were only used for takeoff and landing, while the cruise engine was used for horizontal flight. The Yak-38 could carry up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) of weapons on four underwing hardpoints. The Yak-38 was not without its flaws, however. It still had a limited range and endurance, as well as poor performance at high altitudes and speeds. It also suffered from reliability issues and high maintenance costs. Moreover, it was vulnerable to enemy fire and electronic warfare due to its lack of radar and electronic countermeasures. The Yak-38 was mainly deployed on Kiev-class aircraft carriers (which were actually classified as heavy aviation cruisers), but it could also operate from land bases or small ships. Single-seat Yak-38 production totaled 143 aircraft, and a modernization program was initiated to extend its service life, resulting in the Yak-38M.

Devblog

Although Soviet engineers were experimenting with VTOL fixed wing aircraft design since the early 1960s, it wasn't until December 1967 before a formal order to develop a light VTOL strike aircraft as well as a corresponding trainer version was issued. As a result, engineers at the Yakovlev design bureau began work on the new aircraft in the late 1960s, basing their design on experience gained from developing the preceding Yak-36 - an early VTOL demonstration design.

The new aircraft, designated Yak-36M, was being developed for immediate frontline service, operating both from land bases as well as aircraft-carrying ships. The aircraft's primary role was that of a strike aircraft, engaging ground and surface targets while also being suited to intercept enemy aircraft and helicopters if necessary.

Not too long after work on the project began, the first prototype saw completion and conducted its maiden flight in December 1970. Subsequent prototypes and trials continued testing the aircraft's performance, particularly its novel VTOL capabilities. By 1973, the aircraft was considered ready and serial production commenced.

After some further testing and crew training, the aircraft officially entered service with the Soviet Navy in August 1977, receiving the designation Yak-38. By 1982, over 140 Yak-38s were built, all of which served aboard the then new Kiev-class aircraft carriers. In the mid 1980s, the modernized Yak-38M version came into service, most prominently featuring more powerful engines as well as other improvements. About 50 Yak-38M were built before the type was ultimately decommissioned in 1991.

Media

Skins

Skins and camouflages for the Yak-38 from live.warthunder.com.

Images

Yak-38 Devblog Images

Videos

The Shooting Range #239 - Pages of History section at 04:06 discusses the Yak-38.

External links

*A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau (Яковлев Опытное конструкторское бюро)*
Fighters
Yak-1	Yak-1 · Yak-1B
Yak-3	Yak-3 · Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3 (VK-107) · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U
Yak-7	Yak-7B
Yak-9	Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Yak-9K · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9P · Yak-9T · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT
Twin-engine fighters	I-29
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Yak-17	Yak-17
Yak-23	Yak-23
Yak-30	Yak-30D
Yak-141	Yak-141
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Yak-2	Yak-2 KABB
Yak-38	Yak-38 · Yak-38M
Bombers	Yak-4
Jet bombers	Yak-28B
Foreign use	▄Yak-3 · Challe's ▄Yak-9T · ◔Yak-9P
Captured	▀Yak-1B

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	▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · ▂Fw 190 D-9
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Difference between revisions of "Yak-38"

Latest revision as of 09:20, 5 October 2024

Contents

Description

General info

Flight performance

Details

Engine performance

Survivability and armour

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Offensive armament

Suspended armament

Usage in battles

Pros and cons

History

Devblog

Media

See also

External links

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{About
-| about = Russian premium naval jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+| about = premium Soviet strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 | usage = the regular version
 | link = Yak-38M
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 |code=yak-38
 |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage Yak-38 001.jpg|StoreImage Yak-38 002.jpg}}
-|store=9688
 |cockpit=cockpit_yak-38.jpg
 }}
@@ Line 13: / Line 12: @@
 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet naval jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "New Power"]]. As a VTOL aircraft (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) it can perform stationary flight, offering new gameplay possibilities compared to conventional jet aircraft.
+During the late 1960s, Yakovlev Design Bureau set out to build the Soviet Union's first VTOL fighter, after witnessing the success of the Hawker P.1154 VTOL testbed from Great Britain. Initially lacking funding for research and development of proper VTOL technology, Yakovlev presented the Yak-36 created with what little they had. The Yak-36 was a failure by most metrics, with only four built and only one performing VTOL flight, which later crashed in testing. However, to Yakovlev it was a massive success, as this design convinced the Soviet government to fund the development of a proper Soviet VTOL program. Yakovlev presented a supersonic design with swivelling nozzles similar to those found on the Harrier family, but this was deemed too complex and expensive. Instead, the Soviet government ordered a simpler, cheaper VTOL aircraft primarily for naval operation aboard their new Project 1143 Heavy Aircraft Cruisers. This new aircraft would be limited in speed to Mach 0.95, and would function as both a fleet defence fighter, armed with air-to-air missiles for interception, and also as a naval strike fighter, carrying a multitude of both guided and unguided ordnance. Yakovlev OKB got to work, and on September 22nd, 1970, the first prototype of the Yak-38 performed its maiden flight. However, with new technology came many problems, and the Yak-38 would be plagued by an unacceptable amount of issues, which took many years to fix, before the Yak-38 officially entered service six years later in 1976.
+The Yak-38 was introduced as a premium pack in [[Update "New Power"]] but was removed from the store after the [[wt:en/news/7748-sale-summer-sale-en|2022 Summer sale]]. The aircraft returned on the 22nd of September 2023 for the [[wt:en/news/8490-special-the-yak-38-is-back-for-its-maiden-flight-anniversary-and-is-here-to-stay-en|52nd anniversary of its maiden flight]] as a premium purchasable using GE {{ge}}. Being a [[VTOL]] aircraft (Vertical Take-Off and Landing), the Yak-38 can perform stationary flight, offering new gameplay possibilities compared to conventional jet aircraft. However, like its tech tree equivalent, the [[Yak-38M]], it is seriously underwhelming in conventional flight performance. However, what it lacks in flying is compensated by the powerful ordnance this aircraft can carry. It is armed with the formidable [[R-60]] air-to-air missile, and its ground striking ordnance is no slouch either, with a selection of rocket pods, bombs, gunpods, and even the [[Kh-23M]] guided air-to-ground missile. All in all, this aircraft's play style serves more as a stepping stone, teaching the player how to work with a sub-optimal airframe that relies completely on its strong weapons to to well, as all other Yakovlev VTOL aircraft work with the same principle.
 == General info ==
@@ Line 31: / Line 32: @@
 |-
 ! Stock
-|1,190||1,186|| rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} ||40.0||41.2||77.4||70.5|| rowspan="2" | 520
+| 1,190 || 1,186 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 40.0 || 41.2 || 77.4 || 70.5 || rowspan="2" | 520
 |-
 ! Upgraded
@@ Line 45: / Line 46: @@
 ! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 |-
-| X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X || ✓     <!-- ✓ -->
+| X || X || ✓ || X || X || ✓     <!-- ✓ -->
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 60: / Line 61: @@
 ! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 |-
-| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 650 || 500 || ~12 || ~5
+| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || - || 500 || ~12 || ~5
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 70: / Line 71: @@
 ! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 |-
-| < 650 || < 850 || < 920 || N/A
+| < 650 || < 850 || < 920 || -
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 81: / Line 82: @@
 |-
 ! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
-! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load (NOTE: the Yak-38's gunpods and removable internal cannon are not counted)}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
+! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load (NOTE: the Yak-38's gunpods and removable internal cannon are not counted)}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
 |-
 | colspan="2" | Tumansky R-27V-300 (main) || 1
 | colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 6,645 kg || colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 502 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 |-
-| colspan="2" | RD-36-35FV (lift jets) || 2
+| colspan="2" | Kolesov RD-36-35FV (lift jets) || 2
 |-
 ! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
-! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
+! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br>Weight
 |-
 ! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
 ! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
 |-
-| 1,350 kg (main) || colspan="2" | Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan
+| 1,350 kg (main) || colspan="2" | Vectored-thrust axial-flow turbojet
-| rowspan="2" | 7,482 kg || rowspan="2" | 9,036 kg || rowspan="2" | 9,395 kg || rowspan="2" | 10,300 kg
+| rowspan="2" | 7,470 kg || rowspan="2" | 8,939 kg || rowspan="2" | 9,395 kg || rowspan="2" | 10,300 kg
 |-
-| 198 kg (lift jet)|| colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
+| 198 kg (lift jet) || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
 |-
 ! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum main engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
@@ Line 108: / Line 109: @@
 | 0.88 || 0.73 || 0.70 || 0.64
 |-
-| ''Optimal'' || 6,600 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || N/A
+| ''Optimal'' || 6,600 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || N/A
 | 0.88 || 0.73 || 0.70 || 0.64
 |-
@@ Line 114: / Line 115: @@
 ! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio in VTOL (all 3 engines) @ 0 m (100%)
 |-
-| ''Stationary'' || {{Annotation|2,840 kgf|11,680 kg total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}}|| N/A
+| ''Stationary'' || {{Annotation|2,840 kgf|12,280 kgf total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}}|| N/A
-| 1.56 || 1.29 || 1.24 || 1.13
+| 1.64 || 1.37 || 1.31 || 1.19
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 129: / Line 130: @@
 == Armaments ==
 {{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
+{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+|-
+! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
+|-
+! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
+|-
+| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
+|-
+|}
 === Offensive armament ===
 {{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
@@ Line 136: / Line 146: @@
 The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
-* A choice between two presets:
+* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (160 rpg)
-** Without offensive armament
-** 1 x 23 mm VSPU-36 ventral gun pod containing a GSh-23L cannon (160 rpg)
 === Suspended armament ===
 {{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 <!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
-{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|Kh-23M|R-60}}
-{{main|S-5KP|S-8M|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}
 The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
+{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+|-
+! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
+| rowspan="13" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_Yak-38M.png]]</div>
+|-
+! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (250 rpg)
+| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
+|-
+! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
+| 3 || 1 || 1 || 3
+|-
+! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
+| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
+|-
+! [[FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-54]] bombs
+| 1 || || || 1
+|-
+! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
+| 1 || || || 1
+|-
+! [[S-5KP]] rockets
+| 16, 32 || 16 || 16 || 16, 32
+|-
+! [[S-8KO]] rockets
+| 20 || || || 20
+|-
+! [[S-24B]] rockets
+| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
+|-
+! [[Kh-23M]] missiles
+| 1* || || || 1*
+|-
+! [[R-60]] missiles
+| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
+|-
+! Delta-NG targeting pod
+| || || 1* ||
+|-
+| colspan="5" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 450 kg
+|-
+| colspan="6" | * Delta-NG targeting pod must be carried when equipping Kh-23M missiles
+|}
+{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
+{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 * 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
-* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
+* 2 x R-60 missiles
-* 10 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,000 kg total)
+* 4 x R-60 missiles
-* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
-* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
-* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
-* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,500 kg total)
 * 64 x S-5KP rockets
 * 64 x S-5KP rockets
-* 96 x S-5KP rockets
+* 40 x S-8KO rockets
-* 40 x S-8M rockets
-* 2 x S-24B rockets
 * 4 x S-24B rockets
-* 32 x S-5KP rockets + 2 x S-24B rockets
+* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
-* 2 x R-60 missiles
+* 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (800 kg total)
-* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
+* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
-* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
+* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
-* 2 x R-60 missiles + 32 x S-5KP rockets
+* 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
-* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x S-24B rockets
+* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
-* 2 x Kh-23M missiles + 1 "Delta" guidance pod
+{{Navigation-End}}
 == Usage in battles ==
 <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
-The Yak-38 is one of the most versatile aircraft in the Russian tech tree as it has sufficient armament for all sorts of engagements: air-to-air, air-to-ground, air-to-sea. Thanks to its VTOL capabilities, it is able to achieve a "helicopter" playstyle if needed.
+The Yak-38 is one of the most versatile aircraft in the Soviet tech tree as it has sufficient armament for all sorts of engagements: air-to-air, air-to-ground, air-to-sea. Thanks to its VTOL capabilities, it is able to achieve a "helicopter" playstyle if needed.
-'''When in air battles:'''
+'''When in air battles'''
-The Yak-38 has an impressive sort of armaments for all engagements when in air battles. It can be used as a standard fighter with gun pods, ground units destroyer with gun pods, rockets, missiles and bombs or as a missile fighter with its potent R-60 air-to-air missiles.
+The Yak-38 has an impressive sort of armaments for all engagements when in air battles. It can be used as a standard fighter with gunpods, ground units destroyer with gunpods, rockets, missiles and bombs or as a missile fighter with its potent R-60 air-to-air missiles.
 ''As a fighter:''
-The Yak-38 has access to up to 4 rapid fire 23 mm gun pods, capable of becoming one of the most armed aircrafts when in a gun-to-gun dogfight. They are also capable of destroying ground units such as artillery, anti-air emplacements, armoured vehicles and even light armoured vessels such as cargo ships. It has also access to 2 R-60 air-to-air infrared guided missiles. This missiles are able to lock and engage an enemy up to 8 km away, perfect for long range engagements against unaware pilots. It should be noted that the Yak-38 is only able to carry only 2 of said missiles and they cannot be equipped with gunpods, potentially reducing its anti-air capabilities.
+The Yak-38 has 2 effective loadouts in Air RB. The 1st option is 4 x R-60 air-to-air missiles, which are highly manoeuvrable in short to medium range engagements, and can prove extremely potent against opponents at the battle rating, especially if they cannot use flares to counter them. The other option is to trade 2 of the R-60s for 2 x S-24 air to ground rockets. S-24 rockets have time-fuse capability; setting the time fuse to 1,000 m and shooting the rockets in a head-on at about 1.7-1.5 km distance could result in a kill, surprising your target (it is recommended to shoot both rockets in a quick succession). S-24 rockets can also act as pseudo-flares, just shoot one of them and dodge the other way when a potent IR missile is closing onto to you.
+The Yak-38 has access to up to 4 rapid-firing 23 mm gunpods, capable of destroying ground units such as artillery, anti-air emplacements, armoured vehicles and even lightly-armoured vessels such as cargo ships. However, it is not recommended to bring the gunpods at the beginning of the match because it severely limits your performance and air-combat capabilities, use this loadout at the end of the game to ground pound when you are sure of victory. J out once landed and repaired on the airfield to change your loadout.
 ''As a ground striker:''
@@ Line 187: / Line 235: @@
 ''As a bomber:''
-Thanks to the bomb payload the Yak-38 carries, it is able to act as a low level lightning strike bomber (flying close to the ground as fast as possible) although it is not recommended as the low payload it carries is not enough to take a single base completely (2 x 500 kg bombs). Playing as a bomber is not recommended in terms of cost-benefit but it is up to pilot's discretion.
+Thanks to the bomb payload the Yak-38 carries, it is able to act as a low level lightning strike bomber (flying close to the ground as fast as possible) although it is not recommended as the payload it carries is not enough to take a single base completely (2 x 500 kg and 2 x 250 kg bombs). Playing as a bomber is not recommended in terms of cost-benefit but it is up to pilot's discretion.
+'''When landing'''
+''Normal Landing:''
+If you are coming in for a landing, you need to get rid of your speed first. Unfortunately the Yak-38 has no airbrakes and weak flaps, so you can't easily reduce your speed if you are flying past 500 km/h with your flaps only. When you are close to the airfield, manoeuvre in circles until you have gotten rid of your speed. Once your speed has significantly reduced, move to the end of the runway and put your gear down and the flaps too if needed.
+''VTOL landing:''
-'''When in ground battles:'''
+Approach the airfield and get rid of your speed. When you have reached the conventional landing speed, slowly increase the VTOL (with no engine power the VTOL has no power) and lift the plane so you can get rid of the remaining speed. When you have no forward movement left, you can turn on hover-mode and slowly remove the hover power (0% is stationary height, 100% is increasing height, -100% is lowering height). Reduce the hover power to 0 when close to the ground and avoid making contact with -100% hover power.
-This is the place where the Yak-38 shines, specially for an unusual suspended ordnance which can be exploited to its max, the Kh-23M beam-riding guided missile. Different from air-to-ground missiles like the Bullpups and Nords, the Kh-23M is mouse guided and not manually guided (meaning it follows the cursor and not inputs placed by keys like on manually guided missiles). Despite only being able to carry 2 of this missiles, each missile can be a kill if used correctly. It is recommended to use them in a top attack preferably at an azimuth greater than 35° from the target so that the missile has clear line-of-sight with zero obstructions (fences, trees, buildings, etc) and is able to penetrate the roof as it has a really low armour penetration (97 mm of penetration at 0° in all ranges). The missile is able to be fired at a 10 km range from the target although it is not recommended to do so unless the pilot has really smooth mouse settings for small and accurate movements. Besides the Kh-23M, the Yak-38 has access to bombs and rockets which can be used with the ballistic computer to make pinpoint accuracy attacks on enemy targets. It is up to pilot's discretion to decide the suspended ordnance carried.
+'''When in ground battles'''
+This is the place where the Yak-38 shines, thanks to an unusual suspended ordnance, the manually-guided Kh-23M air-to-ground missile. The Kh-23M missile is controlled by the player via keyboard input like like other manually-guided missiles such as the Nord and Bullpup missile. Despite only being able to carry 2 missiles, each one can be a knock-out if used correctly. Use them in a top attack preferably at an azimuth greater than 35° from the target so that the missile has clear line of sight with zero obstructions (fences, trees, buildings, etc) and is able to penetrate the roof as it has a really low armour penetration. The missile is able to be fired at a 10 km range from the target although it is not recommended to do so unless the pilot is very skilled in terms of controlling manually guided missiles. Besides the Kh-23M, the Yak-38 has access to bombs and rockets which can be used with the ballistic computer to make pinpoint accuracy attacks on enemy targets. It is up to pilot's discretion to decide the suspended ordnance carried.
 === Pros and cons ===
@@ Line 199: / Line 257: @@
 * VTOL capability
-* Fast acceleration - one of the fastest subsonic jets, can quickly hit Mach 0.98 quickly in level flight!
+* Fast acceleration - one of the fastest subsonic jets, can quickly hit Mach 0.98 in level flight!
 * Plenty of payload options (20 setups)
 * Has access to the very efficient S-24B rockets and Kh-23M AGMs, as well as R-60 AAMs
@@ Line 207: / Line 265: @@
 * Subsonic
+* Very small elevators with poor high-speed performance means slow turns
+* Massive energy loss during high speed turns
 * Cannot use thrust vectoring in cruise flight or combat, unlike the Harriers - nozzles and lift engines automatically disengage at cruise speed
 * No airbrakes, can be difficult to bleed enough speed for a regular landing, though it can use its VTOL engines as an airbrake once slower than 500 km/h
@@ Line 212: / Line 272: @@
 * Somewhat fragile gear means careless landings can cause the plane to smash into the strip or carrier deck
 * Very high RPM combined with low RPG count means you have to be very careful when using the gun(s)
+* Lack of countermeasures
 == History ==
 <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+The Cold War era saw intense rivalry between the Western and Eastern blocs, not only in the political and ideological spheres but also in the military domain. A key aspect of this competition involved the development of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, which could operate from short runways and eventually from aircraft carriers. Several countries, such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, participated in these efforts and produced various prototypes and operational models of VTOL aircraft. However, the Soviet Union was initially reluctant to join this race, as it had a different strategic doctrine and a vast network of airfields. It was not until the late 1950s that the Soviet deputy minister, Dmitri Ustinov, recognized the value of VTOL technology and commissioned a new research platform for their own VTOL aircraft development. Yakovlev OKB (Experimental Design Bureau) was the only design bureau that showed interest in the project and was assigned the task.
+The first design by Yakovlev was the Yak-30V (vertikalnyi - vertical), which featured two similar powerplants installed vertically. However, this design was abandoned after the British unveiled the Hawker P.1127 in 1960. Yakovlev OKB realized that they needed a more sophisticated solution to match their rivals. They opted for a similar concept to the P.1127, using thrust-vectoring nozzles to adjust the thrust direction.
+The outcome was the Yak-36, which flew for the first time in 1963. The Yak-36 engines were a pair of Tumansky R-27-300 vectored thrust axial flow turbojets, each producing 51.993 kN (11,688 lbf) of thrust. The lower fuselage of the aircraft had swiveling exhaust nozzles on either side, one for each engine, close to the center of gravity. These nozzles could be rotated 90 degrees for VTOL or horizontal flight. The engines were derived from the compact and lightweight Tumansky RU-19-300 turbojet engine, which was originally used for a VTOL system proposal based on the Yak-30 jet trainer. The Yak-36 was designed to be a technology demonstrator, not an operational aircraft. It faced many challenges, such as instability, low thrust, and short range.
+Nevertheless, Yakovlev OKB continued to improve the design and developed the Yak-36M, an entirely new aircraft that quickly got its own production designation: Yak-38. The Yak-38 addressed many of the problems faced by its predecessor with improvements in stability, thrust-to-weight ratio, range, and payload. It became the first operational VTOL aircraft in the Soviet Union and was primarily used by the Soviet Navy for shipborne operations. The Yak-38 had three engines: two Kolesov RD-36-35FV lift engines mounted vertically behind the cockpit and one Tumansky R-28V-300 cruise engine mounted horizontally in the rear fuselage with a vectorable nozzle. The lift engines were only used for takeoff and landing, while the cruise engine was used for horizontal flight. The Yak-38 could carry up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) of weapons on four underwing hardpoints. The Yak-38 was not without its flaws, however. It still had a limited range and endurance, as well as poor performance at high altitudes and speeds. It also suffered from reliability issues and high maintenance costs. Moreover, it was vulnerable to enemy fire and electronic warfare due to its lack of radar and electronic countermeasures. The Yak-38 was mainly deployed on Kiev-class aircraft carriers (which were actually classified as heavy aviation cruisers), but it could also operate from land bases or small ships. Single-seat Yak-38 production totaled 143 aircraft, and a modernization program was initiated to extend its service life, resulting in the Yak-38M.
 === [[wt:en/news/6942-development-yak-38-yak-38m-hover-jet-en|Devblog]] ===
-Although Soviet engineers were experimenting with VTOL fixed wing aircraft design since the early 1960's, it wasn't until December 1967 before a formal order to develop a light VTOL strike aircraft as well as a corresponding trainer version was issued. As a result, engineers at the Yakovlev design bureau began work on the new aircraft in the late 1960's, basing their design on experience gained from developing the preceding Yak-36 - an early VTOL demonstration design.
+Although Soviet engineers were experimenting with VTOL fixed wing aircraft design since the early 1960s, it wasn't until December 1967 before a formal order to develop a light VTOL strike aircraft as well as a corresponding trainer version was issued. As a result, engineers at the Yakovlev design bureau began work on the new aircraft in the late 1960s, basing their design on experience gained from developing the preceding Yak-36 - an early VTOL demonstration design.
 The new aircraft, designated Yak-36M, was being developed for immediate frontline service, operating both from land bases as well as aircraft-carrying ships. The aircraft's primary role was that of a strike aircraft, engaging ground and surface targets while also being suited to intercept enemy aircraft and helicopters if necessary.
@@ Line 222: / Line 290: @@
 Not too long after work on the project began, the first prototype saw completion and conducted its maiden flight in December 1970. Subsequent prototypes and trials continued testing the aircraft's performance, particularly its novel VTOL capabilities. By 1973, the aircraft was considered ready and serial production commenced.
-After some further testing and crew training, the aircraft officially entered service with the Soviet Navy in August 1977, receiving the designation Yak-38. By 1982, over 140 Yak-38's were built, all of which served aboard the then new Kiev-class aircraft carriers. In the mid 1980's, the modernized Yak-38M version came into service, most prominently featuring more powerful engines as well as other improvements. About 50 Yak-38M's were built before the type was ultimately decommissioned in 1991.
+After some further testing and crew training, the aircraft officially entered service with the Soviet Navy in August 1977, receiving the designation Yak-38. By 1982, over 140 Yak-38s were built, all of which served aboard the then new Kiev-class aircraft carriers. In the mid 1980s, the modernized Yak-38M version came into service, most prominently featuring more powerful engines as well as other improvements. About 50 Yak-38M were built before the type was ultimately decommissioned in 1991.
 == Media ==
@@ Line 229: / Line 297: @@
 ;Skins
-* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=yak-38 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
+* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-38 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 ;Images
@@ Line 258: / Line 326: @@
 * [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/504151-yak-38/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
+{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
 {{USSR jet aircraft}}
 {{USSR premium aircraft}}