Multifunctionality and design perfection combines a unique aviation technique - a vertical take-off and landing airplane. The best minds of Russia, England and the United States with many years of development and their further modernization have created legendary models in the competition. The increase in speed, flight altitude, carrying capacity, as well as combat characteristics is associated with continuous improvement of the heavy-duty jet engine. This is what made vertical take-off aircraft the main base unit of the Air Force of world powers.
First vertical
The very first vertical take-off and landing technique experimentally created in 1954 was the development of the Model 65 Air Test Vehicle. The designed structure consisted of the available units from various aircraft - the fuselage and vertical tail were borrowed from the airframe, the wings from the Cessna Model 140A, and the landing gear from the Bell Model 47 helicopter. Until now, modern designers are surprised how these individual units are combined elements could give such a result!
The plane of the American company Bell was ready by the end of 1953. A month later, the first flight took place with hovering in the air, and six months later, its first free flight. But the modernization of the aircraft did not stop, another year through testing and testing in the air it was brought to the required levels.
Reactive, but not very
The engines located on the sides of the fuselage rotated 90 degrees down, thereby creating lift and thrust for flight. The turbocharger provided intensive power directly to the air nozzles themselves at the wing and tail ends. This ensured the control of the entire aircraft structure in the hover mode, and while maintaining this capability even when driving at low speed.
But soon, according to the test results, Bell refused to continue working with this project. The first aircraft with vertical take-off had such a thrust of jet engines that it barely exceeded its own take-off mass, although it was excessive for horizontal movement.
With such characteristics, it was difficult for the pilot to keep the speed in acceptable values, not exceeding the restrictions on the maximum speed of horizontal flight. Therefore, the angle of attention of Americans has shifted to other developments.
The only Yak-141 in the world
In 1992, specially invited accredited journalists were surprised by the interest of leading Western airlines in this technique. Experts noticed the features of the aircraft, which went beyond the standard concepts of a combat aircraft. It became obvious that for many years of research, which were simultaneously conducted in several countries, the Soviet aircraft will deservedly get the palm.
It was the Yak-141, the only supersonic vertical take-off aircraft in the whole world at that time. He was distinguished by a wide range of combat missions, high speed and unique maneuverability, for which he immediately received worldwide recognition.
Americans and Europeans began their development in this direction in the 60s. At an exhibition in 1961 in Farnborough, only an English company was able to present a decent result. The future main combat aircraft of the British Air Force, the Harrier vertical take-off fighter, was not only the most interesting, but also the most guarded exhibit.
The British did not allow anyone, not even their allies, the Americans. The only one for whom an exception was made for special merit and contribution to the victory over fascist Germany was the famous designer of Soviet fighters - A. S. Yakovlev. He was not only invited, but also introduced to the capabilities of this technique.
Vertical race of world powers
Development in the USSR at that time achieved certain successes, but still significantly inferior to the British. The experiments with the invented turbojet gave the designers valuable experience, it became possible to install two turbojet engines on the plane. Their nozzles could rotate 90 degrees.
Tester V. Mukhin raised a plane called the Yak-36. But it was not yet a full-fledged combat vehicle. At demonstrations, instead of rockets, special models were suspended. Indeed, for real weapons, the aircraft was not yet ready.
In 1967, the project team of Yakovlev, the CPSU Central Committee, set the task to create a light aircraft with vertical take-off. The updated model, called the Yak-38, caused a skepticism even among A. Tupolev. But already in 1974, the first 4 aircraft were prepared.
After the clear superiority in the sky of the British Harrier bombers in the war for the Falkland Islands, the government of the Soviet Union became aware of the need to improve its Yak-38. Therefore, in 1978, the Minaviaprom commission approved a project for the Yakovlev design bureau - the creation of an updated Yak-141 vertical take-off fighter.
Soviet record holder
A unique engine equipped with a perfect control system was created in Russia specifically for aircraft with vertical take-off. For the first time in the world, a solution was found for the afterburning rotary nozzle, something that not only Soviet, but also foreign aircraft designers had been working on for a decade. This allowed to complete the ground test cycle for the Yak-141 and send to take off. From the first tests, he confirmed his best flight performance.
It was one of the most secret aviation projects. It took 11 years for Western intelligence services to find out what it looks like. The multipurpose deck aircraft Yak-141, a 4th-generation fighter, set 12 world records. Intended to gain dominance in the air and provide cover for the location from the enemy. Its locator allows you to hit both air and ground targets. The ability to reach a maximum speed of up to 1800 km / h. The combat load is 1000 kg. Range of operations - 340 km. The maximum flight altitude is up to 15 km.
Gorbachev’s policy
Further policies to reduce defense spending have had an impact. To demonstrate the thaw in foreign economic relations, the government significantly adjusted the production volumes of aircraft carriers. Due to the lack of basing ships in connection with the withdrawal of aircraft carriers from the Russian fleet after 1987, the development of the Yak-141 ceased.
Despite this, the appearance of the Yak-141 was a significant step in aircraft design practice. Russian vertical take-off aircraft became an indispensable Air Force equipment, and in further modernization of fighters, scientists relied heavily on the results of many years of work by Yakovlev.
MiG-29 (Fulcrum)
Developed by the A. Mikoyan Design Bureau, the fourth-generation Russian fighter MiG-29 combines the best characteristics for conducting air combat missiles at medium and short range.
Initially, the MiG with vertical take-off was designed to destroy all types of air targets in all weather conditions. It retains its functionality even in conditions of interference. Equipped with high-performance dual-circuit engines, it is capable of hitting ground targets as well. Designed in the early 70's, the first take-off took place in 1977.
Simple enough to operate. Having entered service with the Air Force in 1982, the MiG-29 became the main fighter of the Russian Air Force. In addition, more than 25 countries bought more than a thousand aircraft.
American winged predator
Always thorough on defense, the Americans also succeeded in creating powerful fighters.
Named for the bird of prey, Harrier was created as a multi-functional and light attack aircraft to support ground forces from the air, conduct combat and conduct reconnaissance. Thanks to its excellent characteristics, it is also used in the Spanish and Italian Navy.
The first in its class British vertical take-off and landing Hawker Siddeley Harrier was the prototype of the Anglo-American modification AV-8A Harrier in 1978. The joint work of the designers of the two countries improved it to a second-generation attack aircraft of the Harrier family.
In 1975, McDonnell Douglas came to replace England, which had left the project due to the inability of management to maintain the financial budget. The measures taken to thoroughly modify the AV-8A Harrier made it possible to obtain the AV-8B fighter.
Advanced AV-8B
Based on the technology of the previous model, the AV-8B significantly excelled in the quality upgrade class. They lifted the cockpit, redid the fuselage, updated the wings, adding one additional suspension point to each wing. High-precision weapons are dropped immediately upon entering the launch zone, the probability of deviation can be up to 15 m.
The model was further improved in terms of aerodynamics and thus created the best aircraft with vertical takeoff in the United States. Equipped with an updated Pegasus engine made it possible to perform vertical take-off and landing. The U.S. infantry AV-8B entered service in early 1985.
Development did not stop, and in the later models AV-8B (NA) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus appeared equipment for carrying out night fighting. Further improvement made him one of the best representatives of the fifth generation vertical take-off aircraft - Harrier III.
The task of shortened take-off was pretty much worked by Soviet designers. These achievements were acquired by the Americans for the F-35. Soviet drawings played a big role in perfecting the multifunctional supersonic shock F-35. This fighter with vertical takeoff deservedly subsequently entered service with the British and American Navy.
Boeing Beyond the limits
Aerobatics and unique characteristics are now demonstrated not only by fighters, but also by passenger liners. Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a wide-body twin-engine jet passenger Boeing with vertical take-off.
The Boeing 787-9 is designed for 300 passengers with a range of 14,000 km. With a weight of 250 tons, the pilot in Farnborough showed an amazing trick: he lifted a passenger plane and performed a vertical take-off, which is possible only for a fighter. The best airlines immediately appreciated its merits, orders for its purchase began to immediately arrive from the leading countries of the world. According to the status at the beginning of 2016, 470 units were sold. The vertical take-off Boeing has become a unique passenger creation.
Aircraft capabilities expand
Russian civil engineers are successfully working on a civilian project for the development of aircraft with vertical take-off and landing, which does not need take-off sites. It can function effectively on different types of fuel, based both on land and on water.
It has a wide range of applications:
- emergency medical care;
- aerial reconnaissance;
- emergency rescue operations;
- private use for official purposes.
And for private purposes too
Possible users include the Ministry of Emergency Situations and rescue services, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, medical services and ordinary commercial organizations.
New aircraft with vertical take-off are able to fly at altitudes of up to 10 km, developing speeds of up to 800 km / h.
The capabilities of the new generation of this aircraft are designed for use even in limited spaces: in the city, in the forest, if necessary, even in emergency situations.
The circle made by the propeller of such an aircraft is considered its bearing area. The lifting force is created by the rotation of the rotor, which uses air from above, directs it down. As a result of this, reduced pressure is created above the area, and increased pressure underneath.
Designed by analogy with a helicopter, in fact, being its more advanced model and adapted to different conditions, it is capable of performing vertical take-off, landing, and also hovering in one place.
Cold War Recoil
The achievements of aircraft designers in this example have confirmed that higher technology and a vertical take-off aircraft can be equally useful and in demand both for government and civilian purposes.
In the era of the Cold War, leading world powers were passionate about projects to create a combat aircraft that would not require traditional airfields. This was explained by the easy vulnerability of such objects with hosted aircraft for the enemy. In addition, the expensive runway was not guaranteed to be protected. This period is considered the most important stage in the development of aircraft design activities.
For 30 years, Western and domestic strategists have been zealously modernizing their vertical take-off and landing aircraft, achieving excellence in fifth-generation fighters. And the basic technologies taken into service make it possible for civilian purposes to use the many years of development of the world's leading aircraft designers.