Yakovlev Yak-28 "Brewer"

Yakovlev · Soviet Union · first flew 1958 · bomber

The Yakovlev Yak-28 was a Soviet supersonic twin-engine aircraft that served in bomber, reconnaissance, electronic warfare and interceptor variants throughout the Cold War. Its high-mounted swept wing and bicycle undercarriage gave it a distinctive silhouette.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbojet, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	21.34 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Soviet swept-wing twin-jet with engines in underwing nacelles
Bicycle undercarriage layout
Long glazed nose on bomber variant

Long slender supersonic jet with a high swept wing, twin engines in underwing pods and a bicycle main undercarriage with outrigger stabilising wheels on the wing; the glazed bombardier nose on bomber variants is distinctive.

Specifications

The Yakovlev Yak-28 has a length of 21.34 m (70 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.05 m (40 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1840 km/h (1143 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Developed from the earlier Yak-25 and Yak-26, the Yak-28 entered service in the early 1960s and served for over two decades. The Yak-28P interceptor variant was used by Soviet air defence (PVO) forces, while the Yak-28I bomber served with Soviet frontal aviation and the Yak-28R flew reconnaissance missions. The Yak-28L and U were trainer variants.

Variants

Key variants include the Yak-28B and I (bombers), Yak-28P (all-weather interceptor), Yak-28R (reconnaissance), Yak-28PP (electronic warfare) and Yak-28U (trainer).

Where you'll see it

Operated exclusively by the Soviet Air Forces and PVO; phased out in the late 1980s and early 1990s as more capable types entered service.

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