La-160 'Strelka' (Type 6) by S.A.Lavochkin
T he first Soviet swept-wing fighter, development of the
La-152. Thin wing with 350 leading edge had same installation as on the
La-152, tailplane was slightly raised. On the design stage extensive wind tunnel
studies were performed at TsAGI.
Flight trials in June-September 1947 provided designers with reliable
data on stability and handling of swept-wing aircraft. Necessity of upper-wing fences at subsonic and supersonic speed was
revealed. Such fences were installed, two on each wing.
La-160 carried much more fuel (1080l) than predecessors and pair of powerful cannons. Its engine could gain extra 50%
of trust using improved afterburner (by I.A.Merkulov) on same RD-10F engine. But
aircraft was still too small to have sufficient range and carry large weapon load. All possible was taken from the engine design,
and the La-160 became the last Soviet fighter to be powered with engine of the RD-10
line.
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