Yakovlev Yak-130
Encyclopedia
The Yakovlev Yak-130 (NATO reporting name
: Mitten) 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.
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.
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. 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. 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. First serial aircraft was delivered to a training center in Lipetsk
on 19 February 2010. It was expected to receive rest from the initial batch of 12 planes during 2010. The Russian airforce intends to buy at least 72 Yak-130s, enough to equip four training regiments.
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.
during testing (both pilots ejected).
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, 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.
Syria is reportedly negotiating to purchase the Yak-130.
The Uruguayan air force is considering the aircraft for the future replacement of the A-37, 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.
: 3 delivered November 2011. 13 remaining to be delivered.
: 8 on order
NATO reporting name
NATO reporting names are classified code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc...
: Mitten) is a subsonic
Subsonic aircraft
A subsonic aircraft is an aircraft with a maximum speed less than the speed of sound ....
two-seat advanced jet trainer
Trainer (aircraft)
A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows...
/light attack aircraft or lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) developed by the Yakovlev
Yakovlev
The Yak Aircraft Corporation is a Russian aircraft designer and manufacturer...
design bureau
OKB
OKB is a transliteration of the Russian acronym for "Опытное конструкторское бюро" - Opytnoe Konstructorskoe Byuro, meaning Experimental 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
Russian Air Force
The Russian Air Force is the air force of Russian Military. It is currently under the command of Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin. The Russian Navy has its own air arm, the Russian Naval Aviation, which is the former Soviet Aviatsiya Voyenno Morskogo Flota , or AV-MF).The Air Force was formed from...
. 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.
History
In the early 1990s, the SovietSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
government asked the industry to develop a new aircraft to replace the Czech-made Aero L-29 Delfín
Aero L-29 Delfin
|-See also:-References:* Gunston, Bill, ed. "Aero L-29 Delfin." The Encyclopedia of World Air Power. New York: Crescent Books, 1990. ISBN 0-517-53754-0....
and Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers. Five design bureaus put forward proposals. Among them were Sukhoi
Sukhoi
Sukhoi Company is a major Russian aircraft manufacturer, headquartered in Begovoy District, Northern Administrative Okrug, Moscow, famous for its fighters...
's S-54
Sukhoi S-54
The Sukhoi S-54 is a series of three closely related aircraft proposals; the S-54 trainer aircraft, S-55 light fighter designed for export, and the S-56 carrier-capable light fighter...
, Myasischev's M-200, Mikoyan
Mikoyan
Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG , or RSK MiG, is a Russian joint stock company. Formerly Mikoyan-and-Gurevich Design Bureau , then simply Mikoyan, it is a military aircraft design bureau, primarily designing fighter aircraft...
's MiG-AT, and Yakovlev
Yakovlev
The Yak Aircraft Corporation is a Russian aircraft designer and manufacturer...
'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
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
company Aermacchi
Aermacchi
Alenia Aermacchi is an Italian company designing and producing trainer aircraft for military pilots.-Profile:Alenia Aermacchi has sold about 2,000 trainers to more than 40 countries and has collaborated in major international military programs....
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.
Yak-130 completed its maiden flight, registered as RA-431130, on 25 April 1996 at Zhukovsky
Zhukovsky (city)
Zhukovsky is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located on the Moskva River, southeast of Moscow. Population: The urban-type settlement of Stakhanovo was founded in 1935 from the dacha settlement Otdykh . It was named after Alexey Stakhanov - a famous Soviet miner...
. The plane was put on display for the first time at the Paris Air Show
Paris Air Show
The Paris Air Show is the world's oldest and largest air show. Established in 1909, it is currently held every odd year at Le Bourget Airport in north Paris, France...
in June, 2005. The same year, the Russian Air Force
Russian Air Force
The Russian Air Force is the air force of Russian Military. It is currently under the command of Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin. The Russian Navy has its own air arm, the Russian Naval Aviation, which is the former Soviet Aviatsiya Voyenno Morskogo Flota , or AV-MF).The Air Force was formed from...
made its first order for 12 Yak-130 planes. On 30 April 2004, the first pre-series Yak-130, assembled at the SOKOL
Sokol design bureau
Sokol plant is a manufacturer of MiG fighters, based in Nizhny Novgorod. It was founded n 1932 and is also known as "Aviation Plant 21", named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze. During 45 years of serial production the plant manufactured about 13,500 combat aircraft....
plant in Nizhny Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod , colloquially shortened to Nizhny, is, with the population of 1,250,615, the fifth largest city in Russia, ranking after Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg...
, performed its maiden flight. 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. First serial aircraft was delivered to a training center in Lipetsk
Lipetsk
Lipetsk is a city and the administrative center of Lipetsk Oblast, Russia, located on the banks of the Voronezh River in the Don basin, southeast of Moscow.-History:...
on 19 February 2010. It was expected to receive rest from the initial batch of 12 planes during 2010. The Russian airforce intends to buy at least 72 Yak-130s, enough to equip four training regiments.
Design
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. The developer estimates that the plane can cover up to 80% of the entire pilot flight training program. In addition to its training purpose, it is also able to function as a light-attack and reconnaissance plane. It can carry a combat load of 3,000 kg, including weapons, auxiliary fuel tanks, weapon guidance, electronic intelligence and electronic countermeasures pods. 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".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.
Operational history
On 29 May 2010, one aircraft crashed near LipetskLipetsk
Lipetsk is a city and the administrative center of Lipetsk Oblast, Russia, located on the banks of the Voronezh River in the Don basin, southeast of Moscow.-History:...
during testing (both pilots ejected).
The first export orders were signed in 2006, when Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
ordered 16 Yak-130s and Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
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, but the he Libyan National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
cancelled Libya's order for Yak-130s in September 2011 as part of a review of all existing arms contracts.
Syria is reportedly negotiating to purchase the Yak-130.
The Uruguayan air force is considering the aircraft for the future replacement of the A-37, 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.
Variants
- Yakovlev Yak-130 - Basic Dual seat advanced trainer
- Yakovlev Yak-131, Yak-133 and Yak-135 - for single seat light attack aircraft/recon/4 seat VIP transport
Operators
: 11 in service (one lost), First production aircraft received in late July 2009. Russia has a total requirement of 72 to 200 aircraft: 3 delivered November 2011. 13 remaining to be delivered.
: 8 on order
Specifications (Yak-130)
See also
External links
- Yak-130 Air Force Technology
- http://www.yak.ru/ENG/PROD/new_130.php
- http://www.aviation.ru/Yak/#130
- Yak-130 Light attack and training aircraft (Combat Trainer Jet)