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Actually wrong. It goes way further back based on American idea.
http://up-ship.com/blog/?p=10553
The Convair Model 200 was a 1973 design similar in some respects to the F-35. While stealth was lacking, it was designed as a single-engined jet fighter than could be built in both VTOL and CTOL (Model 201A) configurations. For VTOL, the single Pratt & Whiteny JTF22A-30A was equipped with a nozzle that could vector down 90 degrees (as the F-35 engine does), and had an additional two 10,500 pound-thrust lift engines behind the cockpit (the F-35 has a single lift jet). The CTOL versions eliminated the lift jets and the engine nozzle vectoring. Top speed was about Mach 2. Span was 27 ft 10.5 in; length was 51 ft 1.5 in.
The Model 200 was put forward in a US Navy competition for a smallish VTOL fighter than could be carried by the Sea Control Ship, the small aircraft carriers the Navy was planning at the time. Niether the Model 200 nor the SCS were built; but a competitor to the Model 200, the Rockwell XFV-12, was built… and failed miserably.
Difference was that the Russians actually made it worked based on American design. Hence Lockheed which didn't have such an aircraft at the time decided to get the information about the Yak version.
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/yak_141.htm
These are some raw concepts of that time .
It the early 1990s Lockheed Martin entered into partnership with Yakovlev Design Bureau for further development of this aircraft. Results of this partnership is unknown, however Lockheed Martin possibly used experience gained from this project developing their own F-35 multi-role fighter.
