The Yakovlev Yak-141 (; NATO reporting name "Freestyle"), also known as the Yak-41, is a Soviet supersonic vertical takeoff/landing (VTOL) fighter aircraft designed by Yakovlev. Intended as a replacement for the Yak-38, it was designed as a supersonic fleet defence fighter capable of STOVL/VTOL operating from Soviet carriers. Four prototypes were built before the project's cancellation.
Design and development
Known internally as "Product 48", the Yak-141 was intended to replace the Yak-38 in service with the Soviet Navy. It went through significant design evolution. Configurations studied by Yakovlev included a twin-engine configuration, which was rejected due to asymmetric thrust issues in the event of an engine failure during landing, and a single-engined configuration, with lift jets to allow for vertical takeoff and landing, was selected. and later for promotional purposes by Yakovlev. Gunston, Combat Aircraft since 1945
| prime units? = met<!-- General characteristics-->
| crew = 1
| length m = 18.36
| length note =
| span m = 10.105
| span note =
| height m = 5
| height note =
| wing area sqm = 31.7
| wing area note =
| aspect ratio = <!-- sailplanes -->
| airfoil =
| empty weight kg = 11650
| empty weight note =
| gross weight kg =
| gross weight note =
| max takeoff weight kg = 19500
| max takeoff weight note =
| fuel capacity =
| more general = <!-- Powerplant
-->
| eng1 number = 1
| eng1 name = Tumansky R-79V-300
| eng1 type = afterburning vectoring-nozzle turbofan
| eng1 kn = 108
| eng1 note =
| eng1 kn-ab = 152
| eng2 number = 2
| eng2 name =
| eng2 type = turbojets
| eng2 kn = 41.7
| eng2 note = canted rearwards from vertical
<!-- Performance
-->| max speed kmh = 1800
| max speed note =
| max speed mach = <!-- supersonic aircraft -->
| cruise speed kmh =
| cruise speed note =
| stall speed kmh =
| stall speed note =
| never exceed speed kmh =
| never exceed speed note =
| range km = 2100
| range note =
| combat range km =
| combat range note =
| ferry range km = 3000
| ferry range note =
| endurance = <!-- if range unknown -->
| ceiling m = 15500
| ceiling note =
| g limits = <!-- aerobatic -->
| roll rate = <!-- aerobatic -->
| climb rate ms = 250
| climb rate note =
| time to altitude =
| wing loading kg/m2 =
| wing loading note =
| fuel consumption kg/km =
| thrust/weight =
| more performance = <!-- Armament
-->
| guns = 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 120 rounds
| hardpoints = 4 underwing and 1 fuselage hardpoints
| hardpoint rockets = S-5K rocket pods, S-8KO rocket pods, S-13OF rocket pods, S-24B
| hardpoint missiles = R-77, R-73, R-27, Kh-35, Kh-31, Kh-25
| hardpoint bombs = OFAB-100, FAB-250, OFAB-250, FAB-500, OFAB-500, ZAB-500 incendiary bomb
| hardpoint capacity = 2,600 kg (5,733 lb) of external stores