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| Yakovlev Yak-130 |
Militarymedia.net - The Yak-130 was designed to meet the requirements of the same Russian air force instructional trainer system as the MiG AT. This specifies aircraft with ground-based training aids and simulators, such as the US Navy's T-45TS system. The Yak-130 has a less conventional configuration than its MiG competitors, featuring swept wings with small wings. During take-off, the engine is fed with air by the auxiliary overwing air intake and by the main intake, which features a swing-down entrance, such as those installed on the MiG-29 and Su-27.
In 1992, Yakovlev teamed up with Aermacchi to develop the Yak-130. Like the MiG AT, it features a reprogrammable flight control system that can be used to simulate handling of various types of front lines. The initial export version of the Yak / AEM-130 includes avionics and systems sourced from BAE Systems and Honeywell.
The first of three Yak-130D demonstrators made its maiden flight in 1996. This has reportedly been followed by a further seven pre-series for evaluation. The intended production configuration of the Yak-130 differed in important aspects, notably the shorter and shallower fuselage with the nose more downward, and the dog teeth at the front end of the aircraft for increased effectiveness at high angles of attack.
In 2000 the partnership between these companies ended with each developing the aircraft independently. Aermacchi went on his own and developed the M-346 Master advanced trainer, which was externally very similar to the Yak-130.
The first Yak-130 trainer entered service with the Russian Air Force in 2009. A contract was signed for the delivery of 12 trainers. Currently Russia's requirements for a new coach are not clear. Algeria and Slovakia have expressed strong interest in the Yak-130. Algeria ordered several of these aircraft. Deliveries started in 2012.
The Yak-130 has a light attack capability. It has 9 hardpoints for various weapons, bombs, missiles and rockets.
Yakovlev plans to develop a family of the Yak-130 variant. It includes a single-seat combat version with seven hardpoints; carrier-linked aircraft; and a side-by-side two-seater trainer optimized for training bombers and transport pilots.
