| Yak-130 | |
|---|---|
| Yak-130, MAKS 2009 | |
| Role | Advanced trainer / Light attack |
| National origin | Russia |
| Manufacturer | Yakovlev |
| First flight | 26 April 1996 |
| Introduction | February 2010[1] |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | Russian Air Force |
| Number built | 9[2] (60 units in production) |
| Unit cost | $15 million[3] |
| Developed into | Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master |
The Yakovlev Yak-130 (NATO reporting name: Mitten[4]) is a subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft or lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) developed by the Yakovlev design bureau. Development of the plane began in 1991, and the maiden flight was conducted on 26 April 1996. In 2005, it won a Russian government tender for training aircraft, and in 2009 the first planes were put into service in the Russian Air Force. As an advanced training aircraft, the Yak-130 is able to replicate the characteristics of several 4+ generation fighters as well as the fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50. It can also perform light-attack and reconnaissance duties, carrying a combat load of 3,000 kg.
Contents |
In the early 1990s, the Soviet government asked the industry to develop a new aircraft to replace the Czech-made Aero L-29 Delfín and Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers. Five design bureaus put forward proposals. Among them were Sukhoi's S-54, Myasischev's M-200, Mikoyan's MiG-AT, and Yakovlev's Yak-UTS. In 1991, the other proposals were dropped and only the MiG-AT and Yak-UTS remained.
Development of Yak-UTS started in 1991 and the design was completed in September 1993. The same year, Yakovlev entered an agreement with the Italian company Aermacchi to work together on the plane, which now became Yak/AEM-130. The Yak-130 version was to be offered for the Russian and the M-346 version for the Italian market. On 10 April 2002, it was announced that Yak-130 had been chosen as the winner of the tender for trainer aircraft for basic and advanced pilot training, beating the MiG-AT.[5]
Yak-130 completed its maiden flight, registered as RA-431130, on 25 April 1996 at Zhukovsky. The plane was put on display for the first time at the Paris Air Show in June, 2005.[5] The same year, the Russian Air Force made its first order for 12 Yak-130 planes. On 30 April 2004, the first pre-series Yak-130, assembled at the SOKOL plant in Nizhny Novgorod, performed its maiden flight.[1] It was followed by three more pre-series aircraft. In December 2009, the aircraft completed state trials and was cleared for service in the Russian Air Force.[1] First serial aircraft was delivered to a training center in Lipetsk on 19 February 2010.[1] It was expected to receive rest from the initial batch of 12 planes during 2010.[6] The Russian airforce intends to buy at least 72 Yak-130s, enough to equip four training regiments.[7]
Yak-130 is an advanced pilot training aircraft, able to replicate characteristics of Russian 4+ generation fighters, as well as the Sukhoi T-50 fifth generation fighter.[6] The developer estimates that the plane can cover up to 80% of the entire pilot flight training program.[8] In addition to its training purpose, it is also able to function as a light-attack and reconnaissance plane.[6] It can carry a combat load of 3,000 kg, including weapons, auxiliary fuel tanks, weapon guidance, electronic intelligence and electronic countermeasures pods.[8] According to its chief designer Konstantin Popovich, during a testing phase that ended in December 2009, the plane was tested with "all airborne weapons with a weight of up to 500 kg that are in service in the Russian Air Force".[6]
The aircraft's twin engines are mounted under extended wing roots, which reach as far forward as the windscreen. Originally the AI-25 engine was selected, but this was later changed to the Klimov-modified RD-35M rated at 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) thrust each. The export version or future variants can be fitted with the L'yulka Saturn Al-55 engine if chosen by the buyer.
The airframe is part metal, but with extensive use of composites, giving it a projected lifespan of 15,000 hours and 25,000 landings.
The wing's delta shape has a 31 degree taper on the leading edge. All flight control surfaces are fully powered. Internal fuel capacity is 2,060 litres (454 gallons), with an optional 700 litre (154 gallon) conforming belly tank.
The undercarriage uses Yakovlev's trademark low-pressure tires for operations from unpaved runways. The steerable nosewheel retracts backward, while the main units retract into the engine duct fairings.
The large canopies are sideways hinged, and there is a large, curved forward windscreen. The cockpit is pressurized, and both positions have two (in export versions three) multi-function displays, along with a heads-up display (HUD) for navigation and weapons aiming. Both seats are equipped with Zvezda K-36 zero/zero altitude ejection seats.
A wide range of weapons can be carried on the aircraft's seven external pylons, including guided missiles and gun pods.
Combat training suite on the Yak-130 includes simulated and real firing systems with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, bomb dropping, gun firing and on-board self-protection systems. The instructor can set and control "target behavior" from his seat in the aircraft. It has an automated on-board diagnostics and control system which makes the aircraft easy to operate and maintain. It has an improved airframe with a design lifetime of 10,000 flight hours and 20,000 flight cycles during a calendar lifetime of 30 years and can operate from unpaved airfields.
The Yak-130 is the first Russian aircraft to have all digital avionics. The Yak-130 has an air-conditioned and pressurised two-seat all-glass tandem cockpit.
On 29 May 2010, one aircraft crashed near Lipetsk during testing (both pilots ejected).[9]
The first export orders were signed in 2006, when Algeria ordered 16 Yak-130s and Libya put an order for 6 planes. In August 2009 the first trainer assembled for Algerian Air Force performed its maiden flight. Algeria is expected to receive its first Yak-130s in 2010. Deliveries to Libya were expected in 2011-2012,[6] but the he Libyan National Transitional Council cancelled Libya's order for Yak-130s in September 2011 as part of a review of all existing arms contracts.[10]
Syria is reportedly negotiating to purchase the Yak-130.[11]
The Uruguayan air force is considering the aircraft for the future replacement of the A-37,[12] while Russia has offered the Yak-130 to Serbia as part of a US$3 billion loan for the upgrading of the Serbian armed forces.[13]
Data from www.yak.ru[18]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Nine hard points for a mixed load of all types of Russian and western air to air (short to medium range) and air to ground dumb and smart bombs
The initial version of this article was based on material from aviation.ru. It has been released under the GFDL by the copyright holder.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||