The Yakovlev Yak-27 was a high-altitude derivative of the Yak-25 (NATO reporting name 'Flashlight'), developed in 1958 as the Yak-122 prototype.

Two versions were developed:

• Yak-27V: interceptor with a supplemental rocket engine. Did not enter service (although a flight test reached 23,000 m (75,400 ft)).
• Yak-27R (NATO designation 'Mangrove'): dedicated photo-reconnaissance version. Replaced the radar and radome of the fighter with a glazed nose for an observer/navigator. It retained the starboard Nudelman NL-37 cannon, but the port gun was deleted and two recce cameras were added. It had a longer wing with a span of 11.82 m (38 ft 9 in), with two Tumanskii RD-9 AF turbojets, and had a top speed of about 1,285 km/h (798 mph) at high altitude, with a service ceiling of 16,500 m (54,000 ft) and a range of 2,380 km (1,480 mi) with two wing tanks. About 180 were produced, entering service in 1960.

Specifications (Yak-27R)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Length: 18.55 m (60 ft 10 in)
• Wingspan: 11.82 m (38 ft 9 in)
• Height: m ( ft in)
• Wing area: m² ( ft²)
• Empty: kg ( lb)
• Loaded: kg ( lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 30,000 lb (13,600 kg)
• Powerplant: 2x Tumanskii RD-9 F, 37.2 kN (8,360 lbf) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,285 km/h (803 mph)
• Range: 2,380 km (1,488 miles)
• Service ceiling: 16,550 m (54,284 ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
• Thrust-to-weight:

Armament

• 1x 30 mm Nudelman NL-37 cannon

Related content

Related development: Yakovlev Yak-25

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: Yak-24 - Yak-25 - Yak-26 - Yak-27 - Yak-28 - Yak-30 - Yak-32