The key facts
- The Yak-130M received the SOLT-130K targeting system with thermal imaging, television and laser equipment
- The aircraft carries up to 2.5 tonnes of armament, including guided bombs weighing up to 500 kg
- It was previously reported that the aircraft had been equipped with the President-S130 protection system
Expanding combat capabilities
The Russian jet trainer Yak-130M has gained the ability to employ high-precision laser-guided munitions. This was announced by the state corporation Rostec; details are reported by Life.ru. As a result of the modernization, the aircraft, developed by the United Aircraft Corporation, is effectively being turned into a light attack aircraft: it can use guided weapons to precisely strike ground targets.
The SOLT-130K targeting system
The key element of the upgrade is the SOLT-130K targeting system, which combines thermal imaging, television and laser equipment. According to Rostec, the system makes it possible to detect targets and employ munitions around the clock, including in adverse weather. The main strike load consists of guided bombs with satellite or laser guidance; a single guided munition can weigh up to 500 kilograms, while the aircraft's total payload is 2.5 tonnes — comparable to the size of World War II fighters.
Engines and protection
The flight performance is provided by two AI-222-25 turbojet engines produced by the United Engine Corporation: they combine thrust with fuel efficiency, while digital automation monitors their operation. This is not the first report on the Yak-130M modernization: earlier, Life.ru reported that the aircraft had been equipped with the President-S130 protection system, designed to detect missile threats and counter attacks using electronic jamming and decoys. Thus, the new information about its armament complements the picture of the step-by-step transformation of the jet trainer into an attack aircraft.
