Utva Lasta

The Lasta 95 is a light military trainer aircraft produced by UTVA. It is a tandem two-seater low-wing trainer with a metal airframe. The aircraft is capable of basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument and tactical flying. The first prototype flew on 2 September 1985. Lasta in Serbian is the swallow.^[4]

Design and development

Lasta 95 (Swallow 95) in 2011.

The Lasta was originally developed to be a replacement of the Utva 75, which had been the most commonly used trainer aircraft of the Yugoslav Air Force up until 1991. The first prototype Lasta 1 was completed by the spring of 1985. And, following completion of the initial testing phase, the first flight was achieved on September 2, 1985.^[1] 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. During the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, all 5 existing prototypes were destroyed during the bombing of UTVA (a sixth prototype survived with damage and was donated to the Aviation Museum at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport).^[5]

In 2006 development of the Lasta was restarted. The new version was known as the Lasta 95. In 2009 it was announced that Iraq will purchase 20 of these trainer aircraft.

With its specifications and updated avionics, the aircraft will ensure full pilot training for all elements of airplane application including:

• basic flying,
• figure flying,
• navigation flying,
• basic elements of night flying,
• category II instrumental flight,
• basic elements of gunning, rocketing and bombing (GRB)
• Light close air support of counterinsurgency operations and area patrol / light attack missions

Future improvements and developments

It is possible to install ejection seats but with higher cost of the plane. It is also possible that new containers with armaments and sensors would be developed for Lasta 95.

Versions

There is a 3 factory version of Lasta 95.

Lasta 95N

This light piston-propeller training aircraft is primarily intended for initial and basic training of military pilots. With in-line tandem seating, the trainer was developed in accordance with the FAR (JAR) 23 regulations for acrobatic category of airplanes and it provides an easy transition to Kobac and then to jet at higher training levels. The LASTA is equipped with a six-cylinder 224 kW (300 HP) engine of the opposed-cylinder type, and a double metal propeller Hartzell HC-C2YR-4CF/FC 8475-6, which provide maximum flight velocity (at an altitude of 3000m and a take off weight of 1085 kg) of 345 km/h. The empty weight is 888 kg, and the maximum take off weight is 1210 kg. The total aircraft length is 7.97m. The trapezoidal wings have a wingspan of 9.7 m and a surface of 12.9 m². The altitude barrier of flight is 6000 m. This propeller-driven low-wing aircraft has a tricycle retractable landing gear. Onboard GPS and Instrument Landing System (ILS) support the operations during CAT-II weather conditions. The aircraft is equipped with Mode S transponder for flight identification.Besides for training purposes, it can be used for combat fire training, rocket firing and bombing. The armed version of the LASTA 95 can be equipped with 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns, 57 mm rocket launchers or bombs weighing up to 100 kg.

Lasta 95V-54

Lasta 95V-54 designation is for Serbian Air Force and Air Defence. Differences between Lasta 95N and Lats 95V-54 are in following:

• Engine Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A, with 315 hp (332 kW, under H = 0 and 2700 rpm)
• Double metal propeller HARTZELL HC-C2YR-4CF/FC 8475-8
• New propeller cap
• Modified primary flight commands
• Modified engine commands with less frictions
• New command for propeller steeping and engine mix in both cabins
• New instruments for measuring temperatures and oil pressure and temperatures of cylinder block and exhaust gases in both cabins
• New radio stations Bendix/King for UHF with antennas
• New gun sight AKN-09 Teleoptik Zemun who supports containers with Machine gun, bombs and unguided rocket launcher
• Two under-wing carrier for weapons max allowed 120 kg
• New glass cockpit with Garmin G500 avionics suites, which include primary flight display (PFD) and a multi-function display (MFD). The aircraft also integrates an instrumental flying simulation system.
• Introduction of new composites materials in some parts of plane

Lasta 95P-2

It is a same version like Lasta 95V-54 designated for export customers with possibility of slight differences at customer request.

Operators

 Iraq

Iraqi Air Force - 20 delivered Lasta 95N (another 16 optional).^[6]

 Serbia

Serbian Air Force - 2 prototypes and 15 serial aircraft Lasta 95V-54 ordered, 10 delivered.^[7][8]

Possible Operators

Several countries are rumored to have expressed interest in acquiring Lasta trainer aircraft:^[8]

 Angola

National Air Force of Angola

Libya

Libyan Air Force

Specifications (Lasta 95N and 95V-54)

Data from VTI - Military Technical Institute Belgrade^[9]

General characteristics

• Crew: Two, student and instructor
• Length: 7.965 m (26 feet 1 in)
• Wingspan: 9.702 m (31 ft 10 in)
• Height: 2.84 m (9 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 12.9 m² (138.85 ft²)
• Empty weight: 888 kg (1958 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 1210 kg (2668 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming AEIO-540-L1.B5D or Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A six-cylinder horizontally opposed air cooled, 300 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 (315 hp Lycoming AEIO-580)
• Propellers: two blade, variable pitch, constant speed HARTZELL HC-C2YR-4CF/FC 8475-6 propeller

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 425 km/h (229 knots, 264 mph)
• Maximum speed: 345 km/h (186 knots, 214 mph)
• Cruise speed: 320 km/h (173 knots, 200 mph)
• Stall speed: 95 km/h (51 knots, 59 mph)
• Range: 1160 km (721 miles)
• Service ceiling: 6000 m (20000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 8.5 m/s (1,673 ft/min)
  
• Limit load factor: +6/-3 g

• Hardpoints: 2 (one under each wing) holding either 100 kg bombs, 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm caliber gun pods or 57mm rocket pods (7 rockets each)

Variants

• Basic version of the aircraft is built against the requirements for aerobatic category loads of (nz_max = 6.0, nz_min = -3).
• Armed version of the aircraft is built against the requirements for utility category with loads of (nz_ max = 4.4, nz_ min = -1.8).

Operational history

In December 2007, Iraq made an order for 36 (20 firm with an option for 16 units) Lasta 95 aircraft.^[10] The first Lasta 95s were transferred to Iraq on August 5, 2010.^[11] Last of the 20 ordered Lasta 95 aircraft arrived in February 2012.^[6]

By March 2012, two of 15 ordered Lasta 95 aircraft began service with the Serbian Air Force.^[12]

Promotional Video

• Lasta 95 - Training aircraft

See also

Related development

• Kobac, turboprop trainer and COIN aircraft.

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Socata TB 30 Epsilon
• T-35 Pillán

References

• Taylor, John W R. (ed.). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
• http://www.airwar.ru/enc/attack/lasta.html
• http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/07/220624/serbias-utva-to-supply-lasta-3-trainers-to-iraq.html
• http://www.naslovi.net/2008-01-13/politika/lasta-leti-za-bagdad/543255
• http://www.avioni.net/showphotos.php?d=8&e=Lasta%20S1

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