Yakovlev Yak-26

The Yakovlev Yak-26, OKB designation Yakovlev 123, was a family of tactical supersonic bomber variants of the Soviet Yakovlev Yak-27 (NATO reporting name 'Flashlight') developed in 1956. It consisted of the Yak-123-1 and the Yak-26-3.

Yak-26
Role Bomber
Manufacturer Yakovlev
First flight 1956
Primary user Soviet Air Forces
Number built 10
Developed from Yakovlev Yak-25, Yakovlev Yak-27

Design and development

Both the Yak-123-1 and Yak-26-3 were developed from the Yak-25, along with the Yak-27 aircraft family, with the main goal being a supersonic maximum speed. Although the Yak-26 kept the Yak-25's layout, it had a more streamlined and longer fuselage with a glazed nose for a navigator or bombardier role, replacing the Yak-25's radome along with modified engines and wings. Both variants lacked a tail barbette, excluding the initial Yak-26-3 prototype. The Nudelman N-37 cannon was replaced with four NR-23 23 mm weapons (two in the tail), and an internal weapons bay was added for 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs, including the RDS-4 Tatyana nuclear bomb. Additional bombs could be carried on underwing pylons.

Although these designs showed potential for a supersonic bomber in the form of the Yak-123-1, it did not feature a radar array, limiting its practicality, and it suffered from insufficient handling at high velocities, with wings unstable enough to induce aileron reversal. This led to a refinement of the design, resulting in the Yak-26-1.[1]

Although flown at the Tushino air show on 24 June 1956, only ten were produced, and the type did not enter service.

Operators
 Soviet Union

Specifications (Yak-26)

Data from

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 17.16 m (56 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.96 m (35 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 29 m2 (310 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 11,200 kg (24,692 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky RD-9F turbojet engines, 19.6 kN (4,400 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,200 km/h (750 mph, 650 kn)
  • Range: 2,200 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
  • Wing loading: 386 kg/m2 (79 lb/sq ft)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.36

Armament

  • 4 x 23 mm Nudelman NR-23 cannon with 1,200 rounds
  • Bombs in internal bay
  • Underwing hardpoints
  • Tail barbette (limited to Yak-26-3 prototype)

See also

Related development

References
  1. Goebel, Greg. "The Yakovlev Yak-25 & Yak-28." AirVectors.
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