La-15: Why the USSR Killed Its Best Jet

In 1947, Semyon Lavochkin and Artem Mikoyan raced to build a new swept-wing jet fighter for the Soviet Air Force, powered by reverse-engineered British Rolls-Royce engines. While the MiG-15 became legendary, the La-15—initially known as Project 174—was aerodynamically superior in several ways. It offered better stability at transonic speeds and greater maneuverability in level flight. However, complex manufacturing, early engine reliability issues, and a strict government directive to standardize the fleet around the MiG-15 sealed its fate. Only 235 units were built before production was permanently halted in 1949 #aviationhistory #coldwarjets #sovietaviation