Evolved from the earlier LaGG-3 design, S.A. Lavochkin (now working alone) introduced his ultimate aircraft, the La-5 and La-7. These new types featured a more powerful radial engine and a cut-down rear fuselage which improved visibility, they also managed to attain improved performance figures which allowed them to hold their own against most German fighters. The first of these, the La-5, was introduced during the time of the Stalingrad campaign and proved capable of taking on the Bf 109G while its low-level attributes also enabled it to perform in the anti-tank role, notably during the Battle of Kursk. The La-7, introduced later, was fast and maneuverable with an amazing climb rate of 3,900 ft per minute and was notable for being the only Soviet aircraft to ever destroy a Me 262 jet. Testimony of the success of these aircraft was the fact that the top scoring Soviet (and Allied) pilot, Ivan Kozhedub (62 kills) flew La-5s and 7s during the last two years of the war with both aircraft being highly preferred by Soviet aces due to their excellent dogfighting capabilities. Besides the USSR, the only other foreign operator of this outstanding series of aircraft was Czechoslovakia.

Converted from a LaGG-3, the La-5 prototype began trials in May 1942 and entered production and service that same year. Initial aircraft were actually conversions of its predecessor but new builds were eventually given superior M-82F engines, a cut down rear fuselage, and an improved canopy with better visibility. The next and definitive version was the lightened La-FN which was equipped with a new powerplant giving it greater high-altitude performance which had previously been lacking. The ultimate model in the Lavochkin series was the structurally redesigned La-7, one of the finest late-war fighters built by any of the combatants. Two-seat trainers were known as the La-5UTI and La-7UTI.