The F-35B Stealth Fighter Has ‘Russian Technology’ That Makes It a Powerhouse

The F-35B Stealth Fighter Has ‘Russian Technology’ That Makes It a Powerhouse

The Yakovlev Yak-141 was the world’s first supersonic VTOL aircraft. The Soviet Union built four prototypes between 1987 and 1991. It was designed to replace the Yak-38 as a carrier-based fleet defense fighter. Top speed: Mach 1.7. In October 1991, after a hard landing fire and the collapse of Soviet funding, the program was cancelled. Within weeks, Lockheed Martin signed a partnership agreement with Yakovlev to fund continued Yak-141 prototype …