Russian Yak-130M Combat Trainer Ready for Ground Testing

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) today announced that the first prototype of the Yak-130M combat trainer has been built at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

The aircraft has been sent for ground and flight testing. Two more aircraft are being assembled simultaneously.

The Yak-130M was unveiled at the Army 2024 show in mock-up form. Nothing was heard of this project since then.

Ground tests will test new and upgraded systems on the aircraft to confirm its stated performance. Much of the upgraded equipment was developed jointly by Rostec enterprises. The aircraft will then begin preparations for its maiden flight.

The integration of new onboard systems will allow the Yak-130M to be used for training and combat missions around the clock, even in adverse weather conditions. The aircraft is equipped with the BRLS-130R AESA radar, the SOLT-130K optical-laser thermal television system, the President-S130 airborne defense system, and the KSS-130 communications suite.

"The modernization will enable the Yak-130M to be armed with air-to-air missiles and high-precision air-to-surface weapons with satellite and laser guidance systems. The new aircraft will not only retain all the capabilities for training combat pilots but will also acquire the qualities of a combat aircraft," Rostec said in a release.

The Yak-130M is being developed based on the Yak-130, whose characteristics allow it to train pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighters. The primary goal of the ongoing modernization is to expand the aircraft's combat capabilities.