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Yakovlev Yak-38
Photo: Vladimir Rodionov · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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YakovlevYak-38

Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · Russia · 1977
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YakovlevYak-38

Yakovlev Yak-38
Yakovlev Yak-38 Photo: Vladimir Rodionov · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Ground-Attack Lethality
40
Payload
50
Loiter / Endurance
35
Survivability
45
Accuracy
55
Low-Altitude Capability
60
Avionics
30
Reliability
25
Versatility
40
Cost-Effectiveness
20
Origin Russia
ManufacturerSaratov Aviation Plant
CategoryGround Attack / CAS Aircraft
EraCold War
In service1977–1981
Operators2 countries
Quantity231
Data Quality84%
43
Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft MASS Rating
48/55
Cold War
175/251
All-Time
Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · 10 axes scored
Ground-Attack Lethality
40
Payload
50
Loiter / Endurance
35
Survivability
45
Accuracy
55
Low-Altitude Capability
60
Avionics
30
Reliability
25
Versatility
40
Cost-Effectiveness
20
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Yakovlev Yak-38
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1977–1981
Quantity
231
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
48
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
15
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
43
ground attack / cas aircraft category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Flight1971
  • Service Entry Year1976
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleVTOL strike aircraft
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant4MOD.4
▣Performance3MOD.3
  • Top Speed1,050 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)0.95 Mach
  • Service Ceiling12,500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length11.36 m
  • Wingspan9.73 m
  • Height4.2 m
  • Wing Area24.5
  • Empty Weight7,370 kg
  • Loaded Weight10,300 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight10,300 kg
◆Armament2MOD.2
▤Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built231
  • Operators2
  • Variants4
⬢Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year1991
  • Production Start1975
  • Production End1981
  • Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1977Production started
  2. 1981Production ended
49
years in service
4
years in production
231
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Yakovlev Yak-38 1977
// DERIVATIVES
05 / Operators
Operator Countries2country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
The ability to direct engine thrust in varying directions to control aircraft attitude or trajectory.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft entry →