Russian Yak-130M Combat Trainer Jet Successfully Makes First Flight

JAKARTA - Russian test pilots have made the first flight with a modernized Yak-130M trainer fighter at speeds of up to 600 km/h, according to a report by state technology company Rostec.

"The maiden flight of the Yak-130M prototype aircraft took place at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a subsidiary of the Yakovlev Aircraft Company (part of the United Aircraft Company within the state-owned company Rostec). The aircraft was piloted by a Class 1 Test Pilot crew, Alexander Guskov, and Leading Test Pilot, Andrey Voropayev," the Rostec press office said in a statement, TASS reported (25/6).

"The flight lasted about 50 minutes at an altitude of up to 2,000 meters and a speed of up to 600 km/h," the report said without detailing the day and date of the maiden flight.

"The flight plan was carried out in full and there were no problems with the plane," the press office reported.

The modernized Yak-130M trainer fighter aircraft has technological advantages. In particular, the aircraft has received advanced systems in it, modern radars, and a range of weapons that includes air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons launched from the aircraft, Rostec said.

"This modernization will make it possible to fully handle training and combat tasks in any weather conditions, day and night, at the level of modern aircraft platforms. The Yak-130M combat objectives include destroying ground and air targets, including heavy-class unmanned aerial vehicles," the press office quoted United Aircraft Corporation CEO Vadim Badekha as saying.

As emphasized by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, Gennady Abramenkov, this aircraft has "high potential for handling various tasks in customer requirements."