Yakovlev Yak-26

Yak-26
Role	Bomber
Manufacturer	Yakovlev
First flight	1956
Primary user	Soviet Air Forces
Number built	10
Developed from	Yakovlev Yak-25

The Yakovlev Yak-26 was a tactical supersonic bomber version of the Soviet Yakovlev Yak-27 (NATO reporting name 'Flashlight') developed in 1956.

The Yak-26 was developed from the Yak-25, along with the Yak-27 family of interceptor fighter and reconnaissance aircraft. The main goal was to increase the speed to supersonic. Although it kept the Yak-25's layout, it had a more streamlined and longer fuselage with a glazed nose for a navigator/bombardier, replacing the Yak-25's radome, modified wings and stronger engines. The Nudelman N-37 cannon was replaced with four NR-23 23 mm weapons (two in the tail), and an internal weapons bay was added for 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of bombs, including the nuclear bomb Tatyana. Additional bombs could be carried on underwing pylons.

Although flown at the Tushino air show on 24 June 1956, only ten were produced, and the type did not enter service.

Operators

Soviet Union

• Soviet Air Force

Specifications (Yak-26)

General characteristics

• Crew: two, pilot and bombardier
• Length: 17.16 m (56 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 10.96 m (35 ft 11 in)
• Height: m (ft)
• Wing area: 29 m² (312 ft²)
• Empty weight: kg (lb)
• Loaded weight: 11,200 kg (24,684 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: kg (lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky RD-9F , 19.6 kN (4,400 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,200 km/h (750 mph)
• Range: 2,200 km (1,375 miles)
• Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,480 ft)
• Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
• Wing loading: 386 kg/m² (79 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.36

Armament

• 4 x 23 mm Nudelman NR-23 cannon with 1,200 rounds
• Bombs in internal bay
• Underwing hardpoints

See also

Related development

• Yakovlev Yak-25
• Yakovlev Yak-27
• Yakovlev Yak-28
  

External links

• Yak-26 at Ugolok Neba (in Russian)
• Yak-26 from Legion.wplus.net