MOSCOW. Sept 26 (Interfax-AVN) - Combat tests of Yakovlev Yak-130 training and combat aircraft will begin this October, a source with the Russian defense industry told Interfax-AVN.
"Yak-130 will begin to fly combat tests within the framework of the state joint tests in October. They will last for about two months," the source said.
Three test Yak-130 aircraft, which are currently at the State Flight Test Center named after Valery Chkalov in Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan region will perform about 100 flights at this stage of the state joint tests, he said.
"The state tests of Yak-130 are expected to be completed by the year's end. The enhancement of the combat capacity of the aircraft equipped with new types of weapons will be tested next year," the source said.
Yak-130 is a dual-purpose aircraft. It is designed to train front-line pilots and for combat use in local armed conflicts and anti-terrorist operations.