TheYakovlev VVP-6 was the result of a literally insane Soviet plan to counter high-flying American spy planes. At the same time, it could be a flying air base for the transport of vertical landing aircraft.
It was definitely the most radical design of the Yakovlev design office and it was definitely reminiscent of science fiction movies. It was designed to serve in conjunction with Yakovlev Yak-38 VTOL fighters, but could also carry a full artillery of six SA-1 or SA-2 (NATO Guideline code) anti-aircraft missiles, as well as supplies, fuel or ammunition.
Essentially the design involved a huge 49m long helicopter with 24 turbojet engines which, every four, set in motion a huge propeller. It could carry two Yak-38 fighters and flying high would allow the missiles it carried to hit enemy aircraft flying at high altitudes.
The VVP-6 would in any case have many operational weaknesses if and when they were built. Its massive size, comparable to a Boeing 777 passenger jet, would obviously make it difficult to land except in very "open" spaces. Also its rockets could hardly be used without their exhaust gases damaging the VVP-6 itself upon launch. However, the plan remained a plan.
