OKB-1 150

The OKB‑1 150, developed by the Soviet design bureau OKB in the early 1960s, was a pioneering jet‑powered reconnaissance and light‑attack platform that embodied the transition from piston‑engine trainers to supersonic multipurpose aircraft. Work began in 1960 under the direction of chief designer V.V. Belyakov, who sought a high‑altitude, high‑speed aircraft capable of rapid photo‑reconnaissance while retaining air‑to‑ground strike capability. The prototype, first airborne on 12 May 1963, featured a sleek low‑wing monoplane layout, a centrally‑mounted Lyulka AL‑21F turbojet delivering 7 800 kgf thrust, and innovative composite skin panels that reduced weight by 12 percent. Its avionics suite incorporated a side‑looking airborne radar (SLAR) and a digital navigation system, unprecedented for a Soviet aircraft of its class. Although only ten pre‑production examples were built before the program was cancelled in 1967 in favor of the more versatile Yak‑28 series, the OKB‑1 150 left a lasting impact. Its aerodynamic refinements informed later Soviet fighters, and its mixed‑construction techniques foreshadowed the use of composites in the MiG‑29 and Su‑27 families. Today the aircraft is remembered as a bold step toward modern, multi‑role combat jets. A restored example is displayed at the Central Air Force Museum in Monino, where it continues to inspire engineers and aviation enthusiasts.

OKB

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