On Tuesday, September 24, information appeared that an air target was recorded that crossed the state border from the territory of Belarus. According to preliminary data, the troublemaker was a Yak-130 aircraft. Later, the Air Force denied this information.
ICTV Facts found out what kind of aircraft Yak-130 it was, its characteristics and maximum speed.
We talked to aviation expert Valery Romanenko and learned how the Yak-130 is used in Russia's war against Ukraine.
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Purpose of the Yak-130
The Yak-130 is a Russian aircraft, the design of which appeared in the 1990s, but full-scale production began in 2010. These are the main types of combat training aircraft of the Russian Air Force.
The Yak-130 does not have a radar, so it is not intended to use high-precision weapons. That is why these aircraft were made for sale to Algeria, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.
Yak-130 aircraft: price
In 2012, the cost of these aircraft was $15 million. Russia transferred several of these aircraft to Iran in 2023.
Инфографика: Як-130 характеристики
Самолет Як-130: characteristics
Russia has produced about 100 Yak-130 aircraft in total. Only recently, they began to mount suspended airborne radar stations on this aircraft.
Main characteristics of the Yak-130:
- Aircraft length – 11.49 m;
- Wingspan – 9.8 m;
- Height – 4.7 m;
- Combat load — up to 3 t;
- Flight range — 1,600 km;
- Subsonic speed — up to 1,060 km/h;
- Accommodates a crew of 1-2 people.
Armament:
- containers with 23 mm cannons and 250 rounds of ammunition;
- short-range air-to-air missiles: R-73, R-77, R-60;
- unguided bombs of various calibers.
How the Yak-130 is used in war: an expert's opinion
Valery Romanenko says that this is a training aircraft, but of an advanced level of training. There are two types of aircraft: primary training and advanced level. This aircraft is capable of carrying up to six units of weapons.
— First, light aircraft are used to train pilots, and then the future pilot transfers to an advanced trainer, — the expert notes.
This is an aircraft (Yak-130) for advanced flight training. Only after this, the pilot transfers to a specific type of combat aircraft, but a two-seater version, to fly with an instructor. After this, independent flights begin on a single-seater aircraft.
— It can be used as a light attack aircraft. There are six weapons mounts under the wing, — the expert notes.
It can carry unguided weapons for use against ground targets, or short-range homing missiles. It is used to combat air targets such as drones or helicopters.
— It does not have a radar, but that does not mean anything. If radar training is needed, then a special Virtual Radar program is installed and everything is displayed on the screen for the pilot, — notes the expert.
Source: Defense Express; Мілітарный
