Plane with vertical take-off. Vertical take-off and landing

Multifunctionality and design excellence combines unique aircraft technology - a plane of vertical take-off and landing. The best minds of Russia, Britain and the United States, with years of development and further modernization, have created in the competition legendary models. Increase in speed, flight altitude, cargo capacity, and combat characteristics is associated with the constant improvement of a super-powerful jet engine. This is what made the aircraft with vertical take-off the main basic unit of the world's air power.

First vertical

The very first experimentally created in 1954, the technique of vertical take-off and landing was the development of the Model 65 Air Test Vehicle. The designed design consisted of the available units from different aircrafts - the fuselage and vertical tail was borrowed from the airframe, the wings were at the Cessna Model 140A aircraft, and the chassis by the Bell Model 47 helicopter. Until now, modern designers are surprised how the combination of these separate Elements could give such a result!

The American company Bell was ready by the end of 1953. A month later the first flight took place with a hovering in the air, and six months later - its first free flight. But the modernization of the aircraft did not stop, for another year, testing and testing in the air brought it to the required levels.

Jet, but not very

The engines located on the sides of the fuselage turned 90 degrees down, thus creating a lift and traction for the flight. The turbocharger carried out intensive feeding directly on the air nozzles themselves at the ends of the wing and tail. This provided management of the entire aircraft structure in the hang-up mode, while retaining this capability even when driving at low speed.

But soon after the tests, Bell refused to continue working with this project. The first plane with vertical take-off had such a thrust of jet engines that it hardly exceeded its own takeoff mass, although it was excessive for horizontal displacement.

With these characteristics, it was difficult for the pilot to keep the speed in the permissible values, not exceeding the limits for the maximum speed of horizontal flight. Therefore, the view of the 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 the leading Western airlines in this technology. Experts noticed the features of the aircraft, which went beyond the standard concepts of combat aircraft. It became obvious that for many years of research, which were conducted in parallel in several countries, the Soviet aircraft will deservedly win the first prize.

It was 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 received world recognition at once.

Americans and Europeans began their development in this direction in the 60's. At an exhibition in 1961 in Farnborough, only an English company was able to present a worthy result. The future main combat aircraft of the British Air Force, Harrier's vertical take-off fighter, was not only the most interesting, but also the most protected exhibit.

The British did not allow anyone, not even their allies, the Americans. The only one for whom an exception was made for special merits and contributions to the victory over fascist Germany was the well-known designer of Soviet fighters, AS Yakovlev. He was not only invited, but also acquainted with the possibilities of this technique.

Vertical race of world powers

Developments in the USSR at that time had achieved some success, but still significantly inferior to the British. Experiments with the invented turbo engine gave the designers valuable experience, it became possible to install two turbojet engines on the aircraft. Their nozzles could rotate 90 degrees.

Tester V. Mukhin picked up a plane called Yak-36 into the sky. But it was not a full-fledged combat vehicle yet. In demonstration speeches, special models were suspended instead of rockets. After all, for real weapons the aircraft was not yet ready.

In 1967, before the project team of Yakovlev, the CPSU Central Committee set the task of creating an airplane with vertical take-off. An updated model, called Yak-38, caused a skeptical reaction, even in A. Tupolev. But already in 1974 the first 4 aircraft were prepared.

After the unequivocal superiority in the sky of the British bombers Harrier in the war for the Falkland Islands for the government of the Soviet Union, it became evident the need to improve its Yak-38. Therefore, in 1978 the commission of Minaviaprom approved a project for the design bureau Yakovlev - the creation of an updated fighter with a vertical take-off Yak-141.

Soviet record holder

A unique engine, equipped with a perfect control system, was created in Russia specifically for a plane with vertical take-off. For the first time in the world, the solution of the afterburner swivel nozzle was found, one that was worked on not only by Soviet but also by foreign aircraft designers over the course of a decade. This allowed to complete the cycle of ground tests for the Yak-141 and to send for takeoff. From the first tests he confirmed his best flight characteristics.

It was one of the most secret aviation projects, it took 11 years for Western special services to find out just how it looks. Multipurpose deck aircraft Yak-141, a fighter of the 4th generation, delivered 12 world records. It was 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. Ability to develop a maximum speed of up to 1800 km / h. The combat load is 1000 kg. The range of combat action is 340 km. The maximum flight altitude is up to 15 km.

Politics of Gorbachev

The further policy of reduction of expenses on the defense industry had its influence. To demonstrate the thaw in foreign economic relations, the government substantially adjusted the production volumes of aircraft carriers. Due to the lack of a home base 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 the aircraft design practice. Russian aircraft with vertical take-off became irreplaceable aircraft technology, and in further upgrades of fighters, scientists largely relied on the results of Yakovlev's many years of work.

MiG-29 (Fulcrum)

Developed by A. Mikoyan Design Bureau, the Russian fighter of the fourth generation MiG-29 combines the best characteristics for conducting air combat with medium and short-range missiles.

Initially, the MiG with vertical take-off was designed to destroy any type 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 able to hit, including ground targets. Designed in the early 70's, the first take-off was carried out in 1977.

Simple enough to operate. Entering the arsenal of the Air Force in 1982, the MiG-29 became the main fighter of the Russian Air Force. In addition, more than 25 countries bought over a thousand aircraft.

American Winged Predator

Always careful in the matter of defense, the Americans also succeeded in creating powerful fighters.

Named after the predatory bird Harrier was created as a multifunctional and light attack aircraft to support ground forces from the air, combat and carry out reconnaissance. Due to its excellent characteristics it is also used in the Spanish and Italian Navy.

Became the first in its class, the British vertical take off and landing Hawker Siddeley Harrier prototype of the Anglo-American version of the AV-8A Harrier in 1978. The joint work of the designers of the two countries improved it to the ground-attack aircraft of the second generation of the Harrier family.

In 1975, the McDonnell Douglas company was replaced by England, which was withdrawn from the project, due to the management's inability to withstand the financial budget. The measures taken to thoroughly modify the AV-8A Harrier allowed the production of the AV-8B fighter.

Advanced AV-8B

Based on the technology of the previous model, the AV-8B significantly succeeded in the class of quality update. They lifted the cabin, remade the fuselage, updated the wings, adding one additional suspension point to each wing. High-precision weapons are dropped directly when entering the launch zone, the probability of deviation may be up to 15 m.

The model was further improved in terms of aerodynamics and thus created the best plane with vertical take-off of the USA. Equipping with a renewed Pegasus engine enabled vertical takeoff and landing. The AV-8B entered the arsenal of the US infantry in early 1985.

Developments did not stop, and in later AV-8B (NA) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus models, equipment for nightly combat operations appeared. Further improvement made him one of the best representatives of the fifth-generation vertical takeoff aircraft - Harrier III.

The task of a shortened takeoff was fairly worked out by Soviet designers. These achievements were acquired by the Americans for the F-35. Soviet drawings played a big role in bringing to perfection the multifunctional supersonic shock F-35. This fighter with vertical take-off deservedly later went into service with the British and American Navy.

Boeing. Outside of the possible

The mastery of aerobatics and unique characteristics is now demonstrated not only by fighters, but also by passenger liners. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a wide-body twin-engine jet passenger Boeing with vertical take-off.

Boeing 787-9 is designed for 300 passengers with a flight range of 14 000 km. At a weight of 250 tons, the pilot in Farnborough showed an amazing trick: he lifted a passenger plane and carried out a vertical takeoff, which is only possible for a fighter. The best airlines immediately appreciated its advantages, orders for its purchase began to flow immediately from the leading countries of the world. By the status of the beginning of 2016, 470 units were sold. Boeing with vertical take-off became a unique passenger creation.

The possibilities of airplanes are expanding

Over the civil project to develop a plane with vertical take-off and landing, which does not need a take-off site, Russian designers successfully work. It can effectively function on different types of fuel, based both on land and on water.

Has a wide range of applications:

• Rendering of urgent medical aid;
• aerial reconnaissance;
• Carrying out rescue operations;
• Use by private persons for official purposes.

And for private purposes, too

Possible users may be MES and rescue services, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, medical services and ordinary commercial organizations.

New planes with vertical take-off are able to fly at altitudes up to 10 km, developing a speed of up to 800 km / h.

The capabilities of the new generation of this aircraft are designed for use even in confined spaces: in the city, in the forest, if necessary even in emergency situations.

The circle made by the screw of such an aircraft is considered its bearing area. The lifting force is created by rotating the rotor, which uses the air from above, and directs it downward. As a result, a reduced pressure is created above the area, and under it is increased pressure.

Designed by analogy with the helicopter, in fact, being its more advanced and adapted to different conditions, the model is capable of vertical takeoff, landing, and also hovering in one place.

The Cold War's Return

The achievements of aircraft designers in this example confirmed that higher technologies and a plane with vertical takeoff can be equally useful and in demand both for government purposes and in civilian ones.

In the era of the Cold War, the leading world powers were fascinated by the projects of creating a combat aircraft, which would not require traditional airfields. This was due to the slight vulnerability of such facilities with deployed aircraft for the enemy. In addition, the expensive take-off strip was not guaranteed to be protected. This period is considered the most important stage in the development of aircraft construction.

Western and domestic strategists for 30 years have zealously modernized the plane of vertical take-off and landing, having achieved perfection in fifth-generation fighter aircraft. And the basic technologies taken into service allow civilian use of long-term developments of the world's leading aircraft designers.