INS Vikramaditya

[Keysersoze]

Could you give the details of the YAK 141 mate? Going by Yak's earlier performance, i would say it was bad. But what would we use int the long run then? Say they got Sea Harriers for short term use, then what? Its not as if F-35 is being planned even in the long term. They were considering Rafale M earlier, but cuz Russia insisted on a Russian a/c on Vikramaditya, MiG 29K was chosen.

Design of the Yak-41 (or possibly Yak-141; see below) began in 1975; the first prototype flew in March 1987, followed by a second in April 1989. Tests were conducted on the aircraft carrier "Admiral Gorshkov". In April 1991, one of the prototypes set several records for VTOL aircraft; it was displayed at the Paris Air Show shortly afterwards. One prototype was lost in a crash (attributed to pilot error) on the carrier in November 1991, after which development was suspended (due to lack of funds rather than any problems with the aircraft); the surviving aircraft was mothballed.

Yakovlev have recently announced their intention to restart development of the Yak-41, apparently as a result of renewed interest from the Russian Ministry of Defence (a similar revival of the twin-turboprop Yak-44 AEW aircraft is also being considered).

Yak-141rear A more advanced version, the Yak-41M (Yak-141M?), has also been designed, with the emphasis now on Air Force rather than Navy service. This version has an extensively modified airframe, with a strong emphasis on stealth (there is a distinct resemblance to the F-22), a much more powerful engine, and more fuel and payload.

The "Freestyle" has been referred to as both Yak-41 and Yak-141; it appears that one designation refers to the standard fighter and one to the single prototype modified for record attempts, but there seems to be some uncertainty as to which is which.

Vital statistics (Yak-41/141?): length 18.36 m, span 10.11 m, empty weight 11650 kg, max weight 19500 kg, max speed 1800 km/h (Mach 1.7), range 2100 km; power plant: one 152.00 kN Soyuz R-97V-30 augmented turbofan, two RD-41 lift jets; armament: 30mm cannon, 5 hardpoints, max external load 2600 kg.

The Russians have had some success in adapting several fighters and attack aircraft for carrier service. Carrier tests were made by modified MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters, and by trainer versions of the Su-25; the naval MiG-29K was cancelled, but the Su-33 (based on the Su-27K) and Su-25UTG have entered service. A report of an early MiG-29K being torn in half on its first attempt at a tailhook arrest gives a hint of the difficulties involved.

http://aeroweb.lucia.it/rap/RAFAQ/Yak-141Freestyle.html

http://www.milavia.net/users/fighterjets/aircraft/yak141_freestyle.php

 

[Contrarian]

MiG 29K is more effective than Yak 141, plus there is commonality with the IAF MiG 29 SMT versions, so therefore logistics and training is far easier, apart from that the engine will be built in India itself, so repairs etc would take a low time, ensuring high avaiablity rate.

Unless IN wanted F-35 or Rafale M, i think MiG 29K was the best option.
BTW the MiG 29K mentioned in the article was a different MiG 29K. It got cancelled. The MiG 29K of IN is a completely different plane.

 

[Adux]

That is a pretty old article, especially since it says MIG-29K was cancelled, which is not the case as we all know.

 

[Contrarian]

It did get cancelled Adux. It was restarted and the thing remade when IN ordered it. MiG 29K currently as we know has been tailored and made especially for the IN. from composites, avionics, etc, etc. Its more of an MiG 29 MKI.

 

[Adux]

It did get cancelled Adux. It was restarted and the thing remade when IN ordered it. MiG 29K currently as we know has been tailored and made especially for the IN. from composites, avionics, etc, etc. Its more of an MiG 29 MKI.

Cold Storage, would be the right term, I am aware of that cancellation episode. But the article is quite old, for the very fact there is a MIG-29K program now.