Lavochkin La-200
Lavochkin OKB · Soviet Union · first flew 1949 · fighter
The Lavochkin La-200 was a Soviet two-seat twin-engine all-weather interceptor prototype that first flew in 1949, designed to counter high-altitude Western bombers. It featured swept wings, an AI radar in the nose, and two turbojet engines.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Swept wings with fuselage-embedded jet intakes |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Soviet twin-jet all-weather interceptor prototype
- Nose radar for interception role
- Swept wings with fuselage-embedded jet intakes
Large twin-jet with swept wings, a prominent radar nose, and two engines mounted in the wing roots feeding through the mid-fuselage. The tandem two-seat cockpit and radar nose distinguish it from single-seat fighters.
Specifications
- The Lavochkin La-200 has a length of 16.35 m (54 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.96 m (43 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1070 km/h (665 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The La-200 was developed as part of the Soviet effort to field an effective all-weather interceptor capability in the early Cold War period. It competed against other designs including the Yakovlev Yak-120. The La-200 underwent several revisions with different radar fits but was ultimately not selected for production, as the Yak-25 was chosen instead. It demonstrated significant performance but development issues prevented service adoption.
Variants
Two main variants were tested: the initial La-200 with RP-1 Izumrud radar and the La-200B with an improved radar installation in a revised nose. Neither entered production.
Where you'll see it
Did not enter operational service with the Soviet Air Force. Remained a prototype used for research and evaluation through the early 1950s.
Related aircraft
- Lavochkin La-190
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