Russia's Yakovlev has completed the first flight of the upgraded Yak-130M, a new version of its advanced jet trainer that adds a radar and expanded combat capabilities to the original aircraft.
The prototype flew from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant on June 25, remaining airborne for about 50 minutes. According to state-owned Rostec, the flight reached an altitude of 2,000 m (6,560 ft) and a speed of 600 km/h, with test pilots reporting no issues during the evaluation.
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The Yak-130M retains the basic airframe of the original Yak-130 but introduces a redesigned mission system intended to expand its role beyond pilot training. Rostec said the aircraft is equipped with a radar, updated onboard systems and can employ a wider range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.
The Yak-130 entered service in the 2000s after Yakovlev and Italy's Aermacchi ended a joint development program launched during the 1990s. The split resulted in two separate aircraft: Russia's Yak-130 and the M-346, which continued its development under Aermacchi, now part of Leonardo.
While both aircraft share their original design heritage, they have followed different development paths over the past two decades. The M-346 has been selected by several NATO and allied air forces, while the Yak-130 serves with Russia and a number of operators in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Rostec said the Yak-130M is intended to perform both advanced pilot training and light combat missions. Besides training future fighter pilots, the company says the aircraft could also be used against ground targets and large unmanned aerial vehicles.
The aircraft continues to be powered by two AI-222-25 turbofan engines. Yakovlev has not disclosed when the Yak-130M is expected to complete its development or enter production.
