| Utva Lasta | |
|---|---|
| Lasta 95 | |
| Role | Military Training Aircraft/General Aviation Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | UTVA |
| First flight | September 2, 1985 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary users | Serbian Air Force Iraqi Air Force |
The Utva Lasta is a tandem-seat low-wing trainer, manufactured by UTVA. The aircraft is capable of basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying.
Lasta in Serbian is the Hirundinidae "swallow".
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In view of a domestic requirement and the potential for a strong export market, the Yugoslav government issued a directive to industry for the development of a new and highly maneuverable tandem-seat prop trainer. This was seen as a preferable option for the replacement of Utva 75, in use by the Yugoslav Air Force in the basic training role.
The design phase was undertaken at the Aviation Technical Institute. UTVA was selected as the manufacturer, and SOKO as the main partner and supplier.
The first prototype (serial #54001) was completed by the spring of 1985. And, following completion of the initial testing phase, the first flight was achieved on September 2, 1985. Even at this stage the Lasta prototype has seen substantial changes; in the choice for a new propeller, changes in the weight and balance and an improved fuel and hydraulic system. In January 1989, was issued a modified version - Lasta 2, a lighter, with shorter fuselage and a new electronics system including fire control Ferranti ISIS D-282.
By early 1990s Utva, and her partner, have produced enough parts for the completion of 10 pre-production airframes. At the same time the Yugoslav Air Force has decided to cut the requirement to only 6 examples, and the remaining four were left unassembled and crated. The initial batch airframes received serials in the 54151 - 54156 range.
Due to space and time constraints the Aviation Test Center, in Batajnica, could only accept 2 airframes for testing. These tests have established aircraft suitability and a recommendation for initial production was issued.
With the early break-up of Yugoslavia, and the ensuing civil war, testing and production were abandoned and the airframes preserved at Utva factory in Pančevo.
There were numerous attempts at reviving the ailing project during the late 1990s by the Milosevic government, however, other priorities and unavailability of funds meant that the new and updated Lasta 3 (aka Lasta 95) did not reach the prototype construction and testing phase.
During the 1999 NATO attacks on FR Yugoslavia, all 5 aircraft in construction (No.54151, 54152, 54154, 54155, 54156) of were destroyed during the bombing of the factory. The damaged aircraft (serial #54153) was given to Yugoslav Aeronautical Museum. As recently as 2006, a fresh effort was taking place at re-starting the project, but beset by financial difficulties and changing requirements, as well as a highly competitive marketplace, did not reach a notable phase.
In late 2009, it was announced that Iraq would purchase 20 Lasta 95 aircraft. The Serbian Air Force is also interested in purchasing 16 Lasta 95's.
The first three Lasta 95s were transferred to Iraq on August 5, 2010.[1]
| Dimensions | Lasta Prototype | Lasta 75 | Lasta 95 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length (m) | 8,04 | 7,54 | 7,97 |
| Wing span (m) | 8,34 | 8,92 | 9,71 |
| Overall height (m) | 2,965 | 2,80 | 3,16 |
| Wing area (m²) | 11 | 11.4 | 12.9 |
| Image |
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89 [3]
General characteristics
Performance
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