Fact File: The Yak-38 Forger

[Matt Wiser]

The worst Soviet tactical aircraft to see SNAF or SAF service....

The Yak-38 Forger in World War III


The Yak-38 (NATO code name Forger) was the Soviet Navy's only shipboard fighter to see service in the Third World War. Also seeing service from land bases both in the Soviet Union and in North America, it had the distinction of not only having the highest accident rate of any Soviet tactical aircraft, it was called “worse than useless” by its pilots. The aircraft also had the distinction of not seeing any postwar use by any of the former Soviet States, or the Rump USSR itself.


Yak-36 “Forger”: Initial pre-production version; engines slightly less powerful, and lighter weight than Yak-38.

Yak-38 “Forger-A” Production version; first flight in 1971, and entered AV-MF (Soviet Naval Air Force) service in 1975. No radar. One Tumansky R-28 V-300 turbojet for cruise, two Rybnisk RD-38 turbojets for lift. All ordnance carried externally: GP-9 23-mm gun pods, UV-16-57 57-mm or S-8 80-mm rocket pods, or single S-24 240-mm rockets; Two FAB-500 (1,102 pound), or four FAB-250 (550 pound) or eight FAB-100 (220 pound) bombs. KMGU cluster munitions, or two RN-28 tactical nuclear bombs. Guidance pod needed for two AS-7 Kerry (Kh-23) ASMs, or up to four AA-8 Aphid (R-60/R-60M) AAMs. Ordnance load very limited, and virtually nonexistent under any kind of hot and humid conditions until Oxygen boosting intake system added during routine overhaul.

Yak-38M “Forger-A” Upgraded version with upgraded engines, added payload capability, and oxygen boosting intake system standard. In service 1985.

Yak-38U “Forger-B” Two-seat trainer with no combat capability.

Unbuilt versions:

The Yakolev Design Bureau was well aware of the aircraft's shortcomings, and several proposals were made for improved versions. None were built as the SNAF was waiting on the Yak-41, which would enter SNAF service in 1989, but not see combat in North America. However, these are listed for the record:

Yak-36P: Intended supersonic follow-on to original Yak-36. AI radar and radar missile capability for Fleet Defense mission.

Yak-38MP: Follow-on to Yak-38M with radar and weapons system from MiG-29, including NO19 radar and AA-10 Alamo (R-27R) missile capability. Dropped in favor of Yak-41.

Yak-39: Multirole fighter/attack project from 1983. Multimode radar, Nav-attack system, full EW suite, PGM capablity. Not pursued as SNAF was already in favor of Yak-41.

Users:

SNAF was the only Soviet user of the aircraft, and the aircraft was not exported. The 299th Instructor-Shipborne Aviation Regiment was the training unit (Fleet Replacement Squadron in the USN), while the 279th Independent Shipborne Assault Aviation Regiment was the Northern Fleet unit, with the 311th Independent Shipborne Assault-Aviation Regiment in the Pacific Fleet.

The Forger had the reputation of being either a “hangar queen” or of having the distinction of losing more aircraft to accidents than to enemy action. The aircraft saw service from the Kiev-class carriers, and in North America, primarily in the COIN or local air defense roles. Four of these aircraft were destroyed in a famous raid by the Wolverines Guerrilla group near Calumet, CO in December, 1985.

Captured examples:

Several Forgers were captured by U.S and British or Canadian forces during the war; all found abandoned on their airfields. USN and USAF test pilots refused to fly captured aircraft due to the aircraft's poor safety record in SNAF service. One aircraft is now on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, FL, restored in the markings of the 279th OkSHAP.

[Wolfman]

Calling the FORGER a dog is an insult to dogs.

[Poohbah]

Calling the FORGER a dog is an insult to dogs.

I met a USN test pilot shortly after the war. He flat-out told me that the only way an American test pilot would fly the Forger was to be stupid AND crazy.

[Wolfman]

I’ve heard other people say that about the FORGER.