Yakovlev Alexander Sergeevich

Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev is a Soviet aircraft designer, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences, twice Hero of Socialist Labor. One of the key aircraft designers of the USSR, whose work largely determined the development of domestic aviation in the 20th century.

Biography

He was born on April 1 (March 19, Old style), 1906 in Moscow. My father was a hereditary honorary citizen, my mother was a housewife.

During his school years, he became interested in technology and aviation. In 1921, he built a flying glider model, and in 1922 he organized an aircraft modeling circle.

In 1924, he voluntarily joined the Red Army and served in working positions at the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy, including as an aircraft engine driver. In the same year, he created his first aircraft, the AVF-10 glider. At the All-Union competitions, he was recognized as one of the best in the USSR.

In 1927, he built the AIR-1 light aircraft. On it, pilot Julian Piontkovsky set the first Soviet world records (range and duration of flight). It was May 12, 1927, the day of the first flight of the AIR-1, that is considered to be the date of birth of the Yakovlev Design Bureau.

In 1927-1931, he studied at the Zhukovsky Academy, from which he graduated.

After graduating from the academy, he worked as an engineer at the Menzhinsky Aircraft Factory No. 39. In August 1932, he organized a light aviation group there.

On January 15, 1934, the group was transferred from Osoaviakhim to the state aviation industry as an independent design and production bureau (KPB of Spetsaviatrest). Yakovlev became the boss. In 1935-1956, he was the chief designer of the Design Bureau of Plant No. 115, and in 1935-1952 he simultaneously served as director of this plant.

From January 11, 1940 to 1946, he was simultaneously Deputy People's Commissar of the Aviation Industry for new technology, and from March 1946, Deputy Minister of the Aviation Industry (on general issues). In July 1946, he resigned from this position at his own request.

From 1956 to 1984, he was the General Designer of the Yakovlev Design Bureau. He retired in 1984.

He was a member of the CPSU(b) since 1938. In 1946-1986, he was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

He died on August 22, 1989, and was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.

Activity

Under Yakovlev's leadership, the Design Bureau developed over 200 types and modifications of aircraft, more than half of which were mass-produced. Key areas:

Fighters from the Great Patriotic War. The Yak-1 family (and its modifications — Yak-3, Yak-7, Yak-9) became one of the main ones in the Soviet fighter aviation of that period. The design was constantly being refined based on the results of combat operation.

Training aircraft. The UT-1 and UT-2 were widely used for pilot training. Later, the Yak-18 and Yak-52 appeared — many Soviet pilots trained on them.

Jet aviation. After the war, Yakovlev actively participated in the rearmament of the Air Force. The Yak-15 became the first jet fighter in the USSR to be put into service (the first flight was in April 1946). Further development — Yak-17UTI, Yak-23.

Interceptors and supersonic vehicles. Yak-25 (1952) — the first all-weather night fighter interceptor. The Yak-27R is the first supersonic reconnaissance aircraft in the USSR. The Yak-28 is the first Soviet supersonic front—line bomber (and interceptor).

Civil aviation. The Yak-40 (first flight in 1966) was the first Soviet regional jet passenger airliner designed for local airlines. It became the first Soviet aircraft certified according to Western airworthiness standards. Later, the Yak-42 appeared, an efficient short—range aircraft.

Helicopters. The Yak-24 is a transport helicopter that was the largest in the world in the 1950s. It has set two world records for lifting loads.

Vertical and short takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The Yak-36 became a pilot project. The Yak-38 serial deck attack aircraft was created on its basis. Later, the supersonic Yak-141 appeared.

Sports planes. Soviet athletes have repeatedly won first places at the European and World Aerobatics Championships using Yakovlev-designed machines.

Features of Yakovlev's approach: He wanted the car to be easy to build, pilot, and maintain. The Yak family of fighters was characterized by a mixed design (wood and metal) — this made it possible to reduce weight, speed up production and simplify repairs in the field. The designer took into account not only the flight characteristics, but also the manufacturability, as well as how the aircraft would be operated.

Awards and titles: twice Hero of Socialist Labor (1940, 1957), Academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1976; corresponding member since 1943), Colonel-General of Aviation (since 1984; previously held other ranks in the aviation engineering, engineering and technical service and as Colonel-General Engineer). Winner of the Lenin, State and six Stalin Prizes. He has been awarded many orders and medals, including foreign ones.

Yakovlev's legacy lives on: for example, the modern Yak-130 combat training aircraft was developed in line with his school.