MOSCOW. March 19 (Interfax-AVN) - The Sokol aircraft plant in Nizhny Novgorod has completed the assembly of another Yak-130-04 for the Russian Air Force, a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax-AVN on Wednesday.
"This is the fourth Yak-130 of the experimental batch built in Nizhny Novgorod. The assembly was funded by the Yakovlev design bureau, the aircraft developer, who received insurance payments after the crash of the third Yak-130-03," the source said, noting that the fourth experimental aircraft is almost ready to join the flight tests and is likely to fly in May.
"The aircraft meets the requirements of the Russian Air Force almost entirely, but has certain design features different from its predecessors," he said, adding that the aircraft has no foreign elements in the structure, unlike the previous models, e.g. Yak-130-02, which had a foreign-made navigation system.
The agreement with the Air Force envisaging the supply of 12 aircraft was prolonged, with money allocated for the acquisition of three aircraft this year.
The Yak-130 is one of the best examples of Russian aircraft industry, as it suits the needs of both Russian Air Force and foreign clients. The first customers are the Russian Air Force that ordered 12 aircraft, and the Algerian Air Force that ordered 16 aircraft.
The Yak-130 is a new-generation combat trainer. It is equipped with a quadruple redundant re-programmable fly-by-wire system, which allows the aircraft to be employed for basic and advance training of pilots, flying all existing and future fighters. The aircraft can also be employed as a light combat aircraft, since it is fitted with nine external pylons. It is capable of carrying a combat load of up to three tons.
Experts also note, that as far as its major characteristics and the cost-efficiency ratio are concerned, the Yak-130 is considerably superior to any rival and features good export prospects.