The US Stole Russia’s Classified Vertical Takeoff Fighter - Yak-141

After years of hard work, the Soviets managed to finally perfect an innovative aircraft that could hover like a helicopter and fly like a fighter jet. From the start of the Cold War, they had strived to take the leading edge in military technology, and with the help of renowned aeronautical engineer Alexander Yakovlev and the impressive Yak-141, they almost did. The remarkable machine boasted four prototypes and broke several world records, but the fall of the Soviet Union cast a spell over its potential use. In a twist of fate, it would be the Russians’ most loathed enemy that would eventually benefit from their own notorious technology… --- Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between. As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.