Yak-44

The Yakovlev Yak‑44 was a Soviet‑designed, carrier‑based twin‑engine aircraft intended for the Navy’s Kuznetsov‑class fleet carriers. Development began in the early 1980s under the project name “Kortik,” with the goal of replacing the aging Yak‑38 fleet and providing a modern platform for anti‑submarine warfare, electronic surveillance and strike missions. The prototype, powered by two AL‑31F turbofans, featured a high‑mounted swept wing, foldable for carrier storage, and a retractable nose gear suitable for catapult launches. Avionics included a sophisticated radar, forward‑looking infrared sensor, and a digital flight‑control system, while weapon stations accommodated torpedoes, depth charges, anti‑ship missiles and air‑to‑air rockets. Although the first flight occurred in 1990 and flight testing demonstrated excellent handling and payload capacity, the dissolution of the Soviet Union halted funding and the program was cancelled in 1992 before production. Despite its abandonment, the Yak‑44 showcased advanced carrier‑aircraft design concepts and influenced later Russian naval aviation projects, such as the MiG‑29K and Sukhoi Su‑33, affirming Yakovlev’s role in pushing the boundaries of maritime aviation during a pivotal era. Today, the Yak‑44 remains a symbol of ambitious Soviet naval engineering, often studied by aerospace historians and enthusiasts.

Yakovlev

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Design & Classification