The Yak-38 fell short of its supersonic target, yet 650 mph was a strong result under its constraints. Two dedicated lift engines and a vectorable rear engine supplied vertical thrust. Generating enough lift still left the separate problem of controlling the aircraft in a hover. Bleed-air nozzles at the nose, tail, and wingtips supplied that control. Throttling valves regulated airflow through the nozzles, which were linked to the aircraft's flight controls. The arrangement brought propulsion and hover maneuvering together in a complicated system.
Notable Point · 7:29-9:59
How the Yak-38 generated lift and controlled its hover
Lift engines and vectored thrust raised the Yak-38, while bleed-air nozzles controlled its attitude in a hover.