Both the Harrier and the Yak-38 are extremely similar in their purpose and design. Both are V/STOL aircraft. But neither ever encountered the other on the battlefield, so, which is the superior aircraft?
Harrier vs Yak-38: What is V/STOL?
Whilst many are acquainted with the concept of V/STOL, equally as many are not.
V/STOL is the process of a conventional fixed wing aircraft (such as the Harrier or Yak-38) taking off vertically. Much like a helicopter would!
If they can’t take of vertically (either they can’t or the pilot doesn’t want to) the Harrier and Yak-38 can also do a short takeoff. This requires them to have less runway than other aircraft of their size!
Harrier vs Yak-38: The Basics
After WWII, the East and the West became bitter rivals. Both the east and the west envisioned that if a war broke out, their air bases would be the other’s primary target.
As such, they pushed for the design of an aircraft that didn’t require much of a runway to take off. Whilst the UK, US, Canada, Germany, France and the USSR all tried, only two were successful.
These were the Harrier and Yak-38!
Harrier
The Harrier is the older of the two. And at least in the west, is the more famous of the two. For many people, they believe that the Harrier is the only example of a V/STOL aircraft that actually flew!
The development of the Harrier happened at the start of the 1950’s, as a byproduct of the Korean War. During the Korean War, airfields had been a major target, and the western militaries knew that this could be an issue in the future…
As a result, a large focus was placed upon the concept of Vertical takeoff and landing.
In the 1950’s, Hawker, under the leadership of Harry Hawker began to develop an aircraft that conformed to NATO’s requirements. Hawker eventually contacted Bristol engine company, who were developing an engine capable of V/STOL.
After much testing and redesigning, a newly merged Hawker Siddeley would fund the prototypes of the two designs. One, the P.1127, nickanmed the “Kestrel” would go on to become the Harrier.
The other, the P.1154 would’ve been a supersonic variant of the Kestrel/Harrier, but was abandoned in 1965. The Harrier was formally introduced in 1969 to the RAF.
The Harrier also caught the attention of several other militaries too! In 1971, the US Marine Corps bought several Harriers and continue to operate a fleet of them to this day!
In fact, the Harrier is the first foreign-built aircraft in the US Marine Corps fleet since WWII! The Spanish, Indian and Italian navies all operated fleets of Harriers, although the Indians have since retired their fleet!
Yak-38
Whilst we can’t say for sure, the Yak-38 appeared only a few months after designs for the P.1154 had been rolled out. This has since led to people believing that the Yak-38 may have been based off the P.1154.
Although, they look similar, even to the point where you may not even distinguish one from a Harrier, they are mechanically far different. In fact, the Yak-38 operates more like the F-35!
In fact, some say the Yak-38 inspired the F-35 design!
According to Yakovlev (the designers of the aircraft) the Yak-38 is technically a variant of the land-based Yak-36 (also a V/TOL aircraft!) however, these aircraft share very little in outward (or internal) similarity!
As with the Harrier, the Yak-38 was very appealing to the Navy. This is mostly down to the fact that they can be used from aircraft carriers with little to no effort!
As such, the Yak-38 was deployed around Crimea (a key part of the USSR) as well as in the Sea of Japan and even the Arabian Sea!
The Yak-38 was only ever used by Soviet Naval Aviation on their Kiev-class carriers. The Yak-38 was never exported to any Soviet client states for fears that the British or Americans would get their hands on it!
As with the Harrier, many variants of the aircraft were built, with for main variants having been developed over the course of its tenure. This includes the:
- Yak-36M
- Yak-38
- Yak-38M
- Yak-38U
The Soviet Navy retired the Yak-38 in 1991, coinciding with the fall of the USSR.
Harrier vs Yak-38: Specs
As mentioned earlier, there are several variants of both aircraft. For the Harrier, the specifications will focus on the Harrier GR.9- the most common Harrier variant.
For the Yak-38, the same condition will apply. As such, the Yak-38M will be chosen, as it was the most common Yak-38 variants.
| Specifications | Harrier GR.9 | Yakovlev Yak-38M |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 14.1 m (46 ft 4 in) | 16.37 m (53 ft 8 in) |
| Wingspan | 9.25 m (30 ft 4 in) | 7.32 m (24 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) | 4.25 m (13 ft 11 in) |
| Speed | 1,065 km/h (662 mph) | 1,280 km/h (800 mph) |
| Range | 1,400 km (760 nmi) | 1,300 km (700 nmi) |
| Empty Weight | 5,670 kg (12,500 lb) | 7,385 kg (16,281 lb) |
| Max Takeoff weight | 14,100 kg (31,000 lb) | 11,300 kg (24,912 lb) |
Harrier vs Yak-38: Opinions
As always, I was able to interview several people about the Harrier and Yak-38. As both the Harrier and Yak-38 require only one crew member, I can only interview pilots and avgeeks.
Pilots
As a former Harrier pilot myself, I was able to interview a few of my former Harrier pilot friends. We all agreed that whilst the Harrier is an extremely difficult aircraft to master (mostly due to the vectored thrust engines!)
However, we all agreed that it was comfier and looked easier to handle than the Yak-38! (After looking at pictures of the cockpit and videos of trained Yak-38 pilots try to fly it for the first time!)
I was also able to interview one former Yak-38 pilot. He agreed with us that the Harrier (and Yak-38) were difficult aircraft to master. He also agreed that the Harrier was likely to have been the easier aircraft to master!
However, he stated that in a question of “Harrier vs Yak-38?” on face value, the Yak-38 would win. This is mostly down to the low casualty rate compared to the Harrier.
For reference, whilst the Harrier is an icon now, it wasn’t back in the 1960’s. Many high profile crashes happened as a result of the Harrier. But modifications were made and now the Harrier is considered an air icon!
Avgeeks
As always, I spoke with several avgeeks about both the Harrier and Yak-38. I had believed that the Harrier would have the overwhelming support of the people, but I was wrong!
In fact, whilst most of the avgeeks did say how much the Harrier was an iconic aircraft, they said that for some reason the Yak-38 was a superior aircraft!
Some talked about how the red star made it unique. And that even as the Harrier dramatically changed in specifications and appearance, through its variants, the Yak-38 stayed almost identical!
However, there was also a minority of strong-willed Harrier supporters who said that because of how iconic it is, we shouldn’t let the Harrier lose!
They spoke of all of the Harrier’s achievements and how, even 50 years after its introduction, it is still being used by a major military!
Summary
Whilst as a former Harrier pilot cannot hide my love for the Harrier. I can certainly see the appeal of a Soviet Harrier.
As with many Russian vs American/British aircraft comparison, the question of Harrier vs Yak-38 is more than just a question of Communism vs Capitalism.
Just as I stated when I compared the Tu-204 and 757, the Russians and the American (but also British in this case!) have vastly different design requirements!
The Russians wanted an aircraft that could be used on their aircraft carriers. The British and Americans wanted an aircraft that could be used on land and at sea!
As such, the Yak-38 is faster, but sacrifices a longer range! The Harrier has a longer wingspan and can carry more, which reflects is bomb-carrying nature, which the Yak-38 is not accustomed to!
Harrier vs Yak-38- who wins? Tell me in the comments!
I would take the Yak-38. As it has a higher top speed, this would suggest to me that in an unfavourable engagement, the pilot could disengage and fly off. Although it has smaller wings, this does not suggest that its weapons are less powerful. I wonder if back in the day, they had beyond-visual-range capabilities.
No, I don’t think they did have beyond visual range capabilities. That’s why the USSR didn’t make more of them.
Well, let’s not forget the fact that 1st gen harrier shot down a much faster Mirage III
Yak-38 did not even have an onboard radar. For a strike role it would have been adequate although lightly armed; vs an equivalent foe it would have been a sitting duck unless the engagement took place within visual range.