Yakovlev is a Russian aircraft manufacturer within United Aircraft Corporation and the name of a longstanding aircraft-design tradition associated with Alexander Yakovlev. The modern corporation adopted the name in 2023, having previously operated as Irkut. It combines Yakovlev design and Irkutsk manufacturing traditions.[1][2]
Design bureau and manufacturing roots
The design bureau marks its origin with the first flight of Alexander Yakovlev's AIR-1 on 12 May 1927. His light-aviation group entered the state aircraft industry in 1934, when he became chief designer and plant director. Irkutsk's aircraft factory developed separately during the early 1930s. In 2009 the Yakovlev engineering centre was established within Irkut on the basis of the experimental design bureau, bringing its design capabilities into the larger corporation.[1]
Training and military aircraft
The Yak-130 combat trainer and Yak-152 initial trainer illustrate the continuing training-aircraft role of the design organisation. Both were developed by the Yakovlev bureau and manufactured at Irkutsk. Irkutsk also produced Su-30SM multirole fighters, demonstrating that a factory's production range need not be restricted to aircraft carrying the same designer's name as its parent business. Company demonstrations have included simulators alongside aircraft, reflecting the need to prepare pilots for systems and procedures as well as provide the aeroplanes themselves.[3]
Commercial-aircraft organisation
The MC-21 passenger aircraft first flew in May 2017. In 2020, the Regional Aircraft branch responsible for Superjet design and production became part of Irkut during consolidation of commercial-aircraft activities. The company presented its Yakovlev identity in July 2023. Its published range includes the SJ-100 and MC-21, supported by design, production and after-sales capabilities. The modern company therefore uses the Yakovlev name for a broader commercial-aircraft organisation than the historical bureau alone, while retaining training-aircraft development as part of its portfolio.[1][2]