Bangladesh Air Force is suppose to obtain two squadron(24) of Yak-130 from Russia. As part of this process, first delivery of the total 03 aircraft just reached BAF Base Zahur at Chittagong today. As per the last news, most of the offloading; is almost completed, from two cargo aircraft from Russia, namely IL-76 and Antonov-124. Early in the morning at around 0615 local time, one Il-76 landed with the equipment and engineering crews for the Yak-130. Later today another An-124 landed at 1303 local time; with 03 Yak-130 fighter on board. Reportedly this fighters are replacing the old A-5 squadron (Attack-V strike aircraft was manufactured by China).
Yak-130 is an advanced pilot training aircraft, able to replicate characteristics of Russian 4th and 5th generation fighters.This is possible through the use of open architecture digital avionics compliant with a 1553 Data bus, a full digital glass cockpit, four-channel digital Fly-By-Wire System (FBWS) and Instructor controlled and variable FBWS handling characteristics and embedded simulation. The type also has a Head-up display (HUD) and a Helmet-Mounted-Sighting-System (HMSS), with a double GPS/GLONASS receiver updating an Inertial Reference System (IRS) for highly accurate navigation and precision targeting. The developer estimates that the plane can cover up to 80% of the entire pilot flight training program.
In addition to its training role, the aircraft is capable of fulfilling Light Attack and Reconnaissance duties. It can carry a combat load of 3,000 kilograms (6,600 pounds), consisting of various guided and un-guided weapons, auxiliary fuel tanks and electronic pods. According to its chief designer Konstantin Popovich, during a testing phase that ended in December 2009, the plane was tested with “all airborne weapons with a weight of up to 500 kg that are in service in the Russian Air Force”. Yak-130 has nine hard points: two wingtip, six under-wing and one under-fuselage.
The Yak-130 (NATO reporting name: Mitten) is a subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft or lead-in fighter trainer originally developed by Yakovlev and Aermacchi. Development of the plane began in 1991 and the maiden flight was conducted on 25 April 1996. In 2002, it won a Russian government tender for training aircraft and in 2009 the aircraft entered service with the Russian Air Force. As an advanced training aircraft, the Yak-130 is able to replicate the characteristics of several 4+ generation fighters as well as the fifth-generation Sukhoi PAK FA. It can also perform light-attack and reconnaissance duties, carrying a combat load of 3,000 kg.
It was reported by unconfirmed sources, that Bangladesh Government has already placed order for 16 Su-27, 24 Yak-130 and new 08 more Mig-29 SMT.
News & Image Courtesy: Internet & Self resource.