Author Archives: The Editor

Yakovlev Yak 141 – Soviet 1980s Supersonic VTOL Fighter

The Yakovlev Yak-141 (Russian: Яковлев Як-141; NATO reporting name “Freestyle”), also known as the Yak-41, is a Soviet supersonic vertical takeoff/landing (VTOL) fighter aircraft designed by Yakovlev. Intended as a replacement for the Yak-38, it was designed as a supersonic fleet defence fighter capable of STOVL/VTOL operating from Soviet carriers. Continue reading

Hybrid-Electric Propulsion – The Reason Why

In early March, Dufour Aerospace put the hybrid unit, consisting of a two-cylinder engine from Suter Industries, a generator from Plettenberg and our own digital control hardware, into operation for the first time on its own test bench. Some further optimisation and testing work still remains to be done before the drive can then be installed on the Aero2 X2.3 prototype. Continue reading