Yak-44 for Gorshkov & ADS …

Yak-44 for Gorshkov & ADS … is it not possible?

Yak-44 was meant for the Kuzentzov & Orel class and also for the modified Kiev class heavy cruisers, if we take the beloe sketches … (or am i terribly wrong?)

The Yak-44 got cancelled due to non-availablity of funds. It was meant for the Orel carrier (which also had cats) and are seldom shown with the the Kuzentzov class drawings. But as said earlier, if we check out the modification that the Russians intended for the Kiev class (which came before the Gorshkov plan?), we might see that Yak-44 AEW is shown as an integral part. In the sketches three Yak-44s are shown on the deck – one on starboard parking lot, another one in the aft t/o point, and a thrid one stationed on the aft lift. The a/c being the Yak-41/141 in STOBAR config …

The Yak-44 parked on the lift indicates that the lift after enlargement (aft) will very much accomodate Yak-44. This also eliminates the theory that Yak-44 maynot be able to get inside the hanger of the Kiev class. Below are few sketches of the modification that the Russians intended for the Kiev class and none of them has got a Cat for launcging a/c and surprisingly also lack a ski-jump.

This modification also shows that, the Russians intended to convert all their ‘heavy aircraft carring cruisers’ into ‘aircraft carrier’ in due time after clearing the diplomatic hurdule created at Turkish straits in 1936 …. it may as well be that, IN in the very early 90s itself might have got the ‘modified’ plan of Gorshkov ….

Let do some comparison as to see it the Yak-44 can T/O with the aid of cats. But theoritically it can and the same might have been what the Russians ‘certified’ by showing the Yak-44 on modified Kiev …

For comparison, we take the NG’s offer of Hawkeye-2000 for the Indian Navy, which they claimed cud T/O from Gorshkov w/o cats, but the finding was tat the a/c as such wud only have an endurance of 1 hrs …

“Power Factor” –

The Hawkeye-2000 with two turboprops of 5,100hp each was said to be able to lift off from Gorshkov (as per NG) with a MTOW of >20t (?) without the aid of cats. If we just do a hp/t for the lift-off, we get 510hp/t for the Hawkeye-2000.

In the case of Yak-44, the MTOW can reach upto 44,000kgs and is powered by two turboprops each rated at ~14,000hp. And what we get from the same is 636hp/t which is much more power than what Hawkeye-200 has at its disposal.

For the Hawkeye-2000, the 20t have been taken after reducing the fuel —– ie —– if we are taking the full fuel load mentioned, it wiill be like shown below –

Empty weight —-> 17,859 kg ( i don know, if it include the antenna, dish, stem and related stuff or its just the weigh of the a/c, info from GS)
Maximum fuel (internal, usable) —–> 5,624 kg

That gives us a total figure of 23,483 kg or the total weight cud as well be 25t or maybe even more, as useable fuel means the fuel that is at the disposal while in ‘operational area during its course of mission. (I still doubt if the a/c weight shown include the weight of the antenna & others, i hope some one can put the figures)

Also, comparing the Maximum power loading, we have —

Hawkeye-2000 (same engine anyway) —–> 3.18 kg/kW
Yak-44 —–> 2.107kg/kW (that too taking the very extreme MTOW at 44t)

Though I feel that Yak-44 wud be able to take-off from the Kuzentzov or modified Kiev which is based on what Russians shocased for the modified Kiev.

The only thing that i believe hinders it from operating from Kuzentzov is that, its not fully developed and fresh cash inflow wud be needed, which the Russians are not yet ready to invest in as they are not in hurry which stems from the fact that they done have any immediate threat based on which they urgently need to heavily invest in making their current carrier achieve full capablity (hopefully larger no of MiG-29Ks, Yak-44 etc) or the carrier borne AEW a/c …..

Also, i want to know, if the Yak-44 kinda a/c can do the ski-jump w/o harming itself (dome on top) ….. if the case is positive, i feel Gorshkov can as well have such a AEW a/c in the future and if the aft lift is enlarged ….

Hope to see u guys response …. Ken ? ….. tks in advance

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