Yakovlev Yak-120

Yakovlev · Soviet Union · first flew 1952 · fighter

The Yakovlev Yak-120 was a Soviet twin-engine swept-wing all-weather interceptor prototype that first flew in 1952 and was developed into the production Yak-25 Flashlight. It established the two-seat side-by-side crew layout that defined the Yak-25 family.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	16.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine swept-wing Soviet prototype
Side-by-side engine intakes in wing roots
Precursor to Yak-25 Flashlight interceptor

A swept-wing twin-jet with engines mounted in nacelles beneath the wing roots, a long glazed nose for the radar, and a two-seat tandem cockpit — the distinctive layout carried through to the production Yak-25.

Specifications

The Yakovlev Yak-120 has a length of 16.5 m (54 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1090 km/h (677 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed to meet a Soviet requirement for an all-weather interceptor capable of operating at high altitude, the Yak-120 prototype demonstrated satisfactory performance and led directly to the Yak-25, which entered service in 1955. The Yak-25 became the Soviet Air Force's primary all-weather interceptor in the mid-1950s.

Variants

The Yak-120 was the direct prototype for the Yak-25 Flashlight; the production aircraft differed in detail but retained the same basic configuration.

Where you'll see it

The Yak-120 itself never entered service; it served only as a prototype. The subsequent Yak-25 served extensively with the Soviet Air Force.

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