[How would you like to see Yak-28IM in-game?]
- Yes, as a Tech-Tree Vehicle.
- Yes, as Premium Vehicle.
- Yes, as a Squadron Vehicle.
- Yes, as an Event Vehicle.
- No, I don’t want to see Yak-28IM in the game.
0
voters
Yakovlev Yak-28IM
This is the only image depicting Yak-28IM that is available on the internet (source linked below). This aircraft did exist.
History
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The Yakovlev Yak-28 was a swept-wing, twin-jet combat aircraft developed in the late 1950s that evolved into a versatile family of Soviet bomber, interceptor, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and trainer variants. Based on the Yak-129 prototype first flown in 1958, the Yak-28 entered service in the early 1960s to give the Soviet Air Force a much-needed supersonic tactical bomber capability. Initial bomber versions included the Yak-28B (“Brewer-A”) with an RBP-3 radar bombsight in its belly and an internal bomb bay, and the Yak-28L (“Brewer-B”) which replaced the radar with a Lotos radio datalink bombing system guided by ground stations – a cumbersome setup that proved unreliable, resulting in only about 111 Yak-28L built. The most advanced bomber variant was the Yak-28I (“Brewer-C”), which introduced uprated engines and a new Initsiativa-2 all-weather radar for independent targeting, making it the most capable version (once its radar was debugged) and the most numerous with roughly 223 produced. Beyond the bombers, the Yak-28 platform was adapted to other roles: the Yak-28P “Firebar” was a two-seat long-range interceptor that deleted the bomb bay for extra fuel and carried an Oriol-D interception radar with R-98 air-to-air missiles; the Yak-28R “Brewer-D” was a tactical reconnaissance model fitted with cameras and sensors; the Yak-28U “Maestro” was a dual-control trainer with a second cockpit in an elongated nose; and the Yak-28PP (“Brewer-E”) electronic warfare version entered service in 1970 as the USSR’s first dedicated ECM jammer aircraft, being unarmed and crammed with jamming equipment to protect other strike aircraft.
In operational use, the Yak-28 family had a mixed reputation: pilots appreciated its high speed, but many variants suffered from poor reliability and demanding handling characteristics, especially early on, the aircraft’s powerful twin engines and unforgiving single-engine performance made it tricky to fly without extensive training, and maintenance issues led to a high accident rate in its initial years. The Yak-28L’s reliance on ground control for bombing, for example, was disliked as overly complicated and vulnerable to jamming, and some crews considered the Yak-28 less trustworthy than the older, rugged Ilyushin Il-28 “Beagle” bomber it was meant to replace. Nevertheless, the Yak-28 in its various forms provided the Soviets with a much-improved strike and interception capability through the 1960s and 1970s, serving as a Cold War workhorse across its numerous variants, from nuclear-capable frontline bombers and high-speed interceptors to photo-recon planes and escort jammers, until it was gradually phased out by more modern types like the Sukhoi Su-17 “Fitter” and Su-24 “Fencer” in the late 1970s and 1980s
In 1969 Yak-28IM was conceived as a single experimentally modified Yak-28I, the final modification of the Yak-28 bomber series, to improve the aircraft’s strike capabilities. The key difference between the Yak-28IM and Yak-28I (and all its other predecessors) was its expanded external weapons capability. Unlike earlier models (Including Yak-28I), which primarily carried bombs in an internal bay, the Yak-28IM featured 4x underwing pylons, allowing it to carry rocket pods for S-5 unguided rockets. UB-16-57UM were the chosen rocket pods. They were lighter, more aerodynamic versions of the standard UB-16-57. Yak-28I/IMs were equipped with a GSh-23L twin-barrel 23mm cannon and not the NR-23. These upgrades gave it a limited close air support role alongside its traditional bomber mission.
In addition to rocket pods, the aircraft may have been capable of carrying other types of munitions on those pylons, such as bombs or various other unguided rockets commonly used by other Soviet aircraft. However, aerodynamic drag and wing load limitations likely restricted these loadout options. As of now, rocket pods are the only armament we have visually confirmed as being installed on those pylons.
Distinguishing Features
Spoiler
The Yak-28B and Yak-28I/IM can be distinguished by their nose shape, underwing fuel tanks, and engine nozzles. The Yak-28B had the RBP-3 radar, whereas the Yak-28I/IM featured the more advanced Initiative-2 radar system, the OPB-116 optical sight, and an upgraded inertial navigation system, allowing for better all-weather strike accuracy. The Yak-28I/IM featured a newer Tumansky R-11AF2-300 turbojets and redesigned engine nozzles with a slightly different shape and length, improving aerodynamics and performance compared to the standard Yak-28B. It was also fitted with underwing fuel tanks, improving its operational range. The Yak-28I/IM also had additional antennas and minor avionics upgrades. In total 223 Yak-28I were produced and serial number 4940503 was chosen for the IM testing. The Yak-28IM is essentially a Yak-28I modified with four underwing pylons to carry rocket pods or other munitions. The IM was never accepted into service, because it could not compete with the Su-17 and the Su-24.
This schematic confirms that Yak-28IM had at least 2 UB-16-57UM rocket pods mounted exactly like on the model image and Yak-28PP (that came out a year earlier).
Number of Pylons
Spoiler
What remains uncertain is whether the Yak-28IM was equipped with four external pylons or only two. Most sources suggest it had four, while one claims it had just two, though no definitive images have been found to confirm the four-pylon configuration. The Yak-28PP (a Yak-28I modified by removing the radar and cannon to accommodate electronic warfare equipment) was fitted with two UB-16-57UM rocket pods, but these were loaded with S-5P rockets and used for decoy purposes. What we can confirm with certainty is that the Yak-28IM carried at least two UB-16-57UM rocket pods, mounted in exactly the same configuration as on the Yak-28PP.
Yak-28P had provisions for mounting missiles in the space between the engine and fuselage, so it’s theoretically possible that similar mounting points could have been used for rocket pods on the Yak-28IM as well. The Yak-28P’s R-3S missile hardpoints, located between the fuselage and engines, were standard Soviet pylons structurally capable of carrying other stores, including UB-series rocket pods. Given Soviet standardization and similar practices on aircraft like the MiG-21 and MiG-23, it’s entirely feasible that the same mounts used for R-3S could also carry rocket pods or bombs, supporting the idea that the Yak-28IM could mount four UB pods.
Implementation
Spoiler
The Yak-28IM could be implemented similarly to how the IL-28SH is represented in War Thunder. An alternative approach would be to nerf the Yak-28B by removing the ground reticle in third-person view and transferring that feature to the Yak-28IM. Additionally, the Yak-28B’s Battle Rating could be reduced to compensate. This change makes sense considering the Yak-28IM was equipped with an improved fire control system, which would justify its enhanced in-game capabilities.
Given that the Yak-28I had a fairly successful production run, I believe the IM variant deserves a place in the game, whether it features two or four pods. Without these pods, its gameplay is virtually identical to the Yak-28B, offering little distinction.
Yak-28IM Specifications
Spoiler
The above schematic shows the Yak-28I. Aircraft No. 4940503 was selected for the Yak-28IM conversion experiment.
General Characteristics:
- Crew: 2 (Pilot and Navigator/Bombardier)
- Length: 20.020 m (~65 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 11.780 m (~38 ft 8 in)
- Height: 4.300 m (~14 ft 1 in)
- Wing Area: 35.25 m² (~379 ft²)
- Empty Weight: ~11,500 kg (25,353 lbs)
- Loaded Weight: ~16,160 kg (35,621 lbs)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~18,080 kg (~39,860 lbs)
Powerplant:
- Engines: 2 × Tumansky R-11AF2-300 turbojets (uprated)
- Thrust: 13,670 lbf (60.8 kN) each with afterburner
- Total Thrust: 27,340 lbf (121.6 kN)
Performance:
- Maximum Speed (Clean Configuration): 1,850 km/h (1,150 mph, Mach 1.73)
- Maximum Speed (Armed with Rockets and External Tanks): ~1,600 km/h (994 mph, Mach 1.5)
- Cruising Speed: ~900 km/h (559 mph)
- Combat Range: ~2,070 km (1,286 mi) with external tanks
- Service Ceiling: 14,500 m (47,560 ft)
- Rate of Climb: ~35 m/s (6,900 ft/min)
- Maximum Flight Time: ~ 2 Hours 22 Minutes
Armament:
- Fixed Gun: 1 × GSh-23L twin-barrel 23mm cannon, mounted on the right side of the fuselage (for self-defense or ground attack)
- Underwing Hardpoints: 4 external hardpoints
- 2 or 4 × UB-16-57UM rocket pods, each carrying S-5 57mm unguided rockets
- “Other” munitions
- Internal Bomb Bay:
- Capacity for up to 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs) of bombs
Avionics & Equipment:
- Radar: “Initiative-2” radar for improved targeting and all-weather bombing
- Optical Sight: OPB-116
- Autopilot: AP-28K
- Countermeasures: Chaff/flare dispensers
- Navigation: Inertial guidance system for long-range operations
More Schematics
Spoiler
The images above depict schematics of the Yak-28PP, which was based on the Yak-28I. This variant lacked the GSh-23L cannon and did not feature the characteristic “belly bulge” of the Yak-28I/IM. The images are provided to highlight the exact outer mounting points for the UB rocket pods.
The images above depict drawings of the Yak-28P. This variant featured a pylon located between the fuselage and the engine, along with a wing and engine nozzle design similar to that of the Yak-28IM. The images are provided to illustrate the potential inner mounting points for the UB rocket pods.
The image above shows a schematic of a UB-16-57UM rocket pod.
Sources:
Spoiler
Yakovlev Yak-25 & Yak-28
Як-28.Самый секретный самолет Яковлева. | Пикабу
Уголок неба ¦ Яковлев Як-28ПП
The path to the supersonic front-line bomber. Part of 7. Yak-28, major modifications and designs.
https://www.gundammates.com/products/img/4/5/3/100453-53-instructions.pdf
https://www.generalequipment.info/S5%20ROCKET.htm
https://docs.tuyap.online/FDOCS/41403.pdf
Як-28
Як-28
Уголок неба ¦ Яковлев Як-28И
Amodel 72126 1/72 Yakovlev Yak-28IM Brewer C Kit First Look Note: this is the only source claims the IM had 2 rocket pods instead of 4.
