The Superlative LIFT

simulated aircraft’s control system on the Yak-130 on-board computer, even during flight. For short airfield performance the aircraft is equipped with leading edge slats and three- position Fowler flaps acting as split flaps which move rearward and then downward on tracks to give a large increase in lift, high lift and drag for landing manoeuvres. The aircraft can be operated from unpaved runways and small, hastily prepared airstrips owing to the onboard auxiliary power unit and oxygen generation system thereby reducing dependency on ground support facilities and enhancing operational autonomy.

Weapons and payloads (upto a weight to 3,000-kg) can be accommodated in single centreline fuselage hardpoint, six underwing pylons and two wingtip points. Present weapon fits include the Vikhr laser-guided Anti- Tank Guided Weapon ( ATGW), R-73 Close Combat Missile (CCM) and the Kh-25 ML Air-to-Surface Missile (ASM). The Platan IRST is installed under the fuselage for deployment of the KAB-500Kr guided bomb. The aircraft is fitted with 30mm GSh-301 cannon or a podded GSh-23 cannon installed under the fuselage.

The aircraft has an impressive thrustto-weight ratio of about 0.85. Production aircraft are fitted with two powerful higheconomy AI-222-25 turbofan engines, each rated at 2,500-kg thrust and developed under a Russian and Ukrainian programme by Motor Sich, Zaporozhye Progress Design Bureau and the Moscow Salyut Motor Building Production Enterprise. The export variant of the Yak-130 can be fitted with the DV-2SM engine.

The Yak- 130’ s internal fuel tanks, comprising two wing tanks and a centre fuselage tank, carry up to 1,750-kg of fuel. With two suspended fuel tanks (each 450-l) the maximum total fuel load is 2,650-kg. The aircraft is fitted with single point pressure or optional gravity refuelling and can be fitted with an Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) refuelling probe.

The Yak-130 is clearly destined to become one of the classic combat aircraft of this century.