"We are on the verge of reviving the concept of specialized air defense aviation." In these words, experts describe the significance of the fact that Russia has a new light attack fighter, the Yak-130M. What are the main tasks that this machine, which recently was nothing more than a training one, will solve?
President Vladimir Putin visited the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The trip took place as a continuation of the meeting on the development of the aviation industry, which had previously ended in the Moscow region.
During the inspection, the President was informed about the equipment of the upgraded Yak-130M combat training aircraft with advanced onboard systems and a modern radar station. The Head of State stressed that these aircraft should "solve the tasks that arise during the conduct of hostilities," that is, the destruction of large copters and unmanned boats (BEC).
Prior to the modernization, the aircraft was intended primarily for performing training tasks as a "flying desk". Onboard computer programs made it possible to simulate the piloting features of the Su-30, Su-35, Su-57 and NATO fighters. However, the Yak-130 with the M index is a full–fledged light multipurpose attack fighter.
Earlier, experts have already suggested the possibility of creating a mass-scale cheap "UAV fighter" based on the Yak-130 platform. According to Rostec, the upgraded Yak-130M can be armed with air–to-air missiles to combat heavy drones.
"The on-board equipment of this machine makes it possible to effectively detect targets and carry out target designation for high-precision weapons. At the same time, it is important to emphasize the specifics of work on unmanned marine boats: the presence of two crew members gives a critical advantage. The pilot is fully focused on piloting, especially near the water surface, while the navigator controls the weapons and conducts the search," said Oleg Panteleev, Executive Director of the Aviport agency.
The expert emphasizes that the Yak-130M has another important quality. "With all the advantages of a jet vehicle – fast approach and instant reaction to a threat – the cost of its purchase and operating costs are significantly lower than those of heavy vehicles like the Su-30SM," Panteleev explained.
The speaker called the example of the United States with its A-10 attack aircraft illustrative. "When the task of fighting heavy drones arose, the Americans did not create unique units from scratch. The existing assault squadrons simply received new, cheaper aviation weapons, and the flight personnel underwent retraining. I believe this way of adapting the current aviation units is the most rational for us," Panteleev said.
However, he considers the key moment to be a change in approach to combat training and armament. "There is a temptation to start preparing light aviation pilots for extreme flights at extremely low altitudes to hunt for low-speed UAVs. This is an irrational path. We should not risk losing the platform from the enemy's air defense systems, which can cover the target," the expert believes.
With the advent of the new machine, changes in the organizational structure of the Air Force are also evident, says Alexey Leonkov, editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine.
"We are on the verge of reviving the concept of specialized air defense aviation.
The historical experience here is more than indicative: until 1943, the Soviet Air Force did not have dedicated fighter aircraft for air defense. The regiments received two mutually exclusive tasks – striking the advancing ground forces and defending cities from air attacks. At the same time, one regiment could not effectively perform both functions, which led to a dispersion of forces. A way out was found in the allocation of specialized regiments, focused solely on the tasks of air defense," the military expert explained. He believes that in our time such regiments could consist of Yak-130M.
"Modern defense is already integrating anti-aircraft missile systems, mobile firing groups, electronic warfare and electronic intelligence systems. The appearance of light aircraft in this bundle, closed into a single control loop with the Navy's coastal surveillance systems and air defense posts, is the logical next step. The Yak-130M can become one of the elements of this mosaic, along with attack helicopters like the Mi-28," says Leonkov. According to him,
"The tasks of the Yak-130M here are not just to "drive copters", but to become a full–fledged link in a universal defense system capable of intercepting more serious aerial targets, if necessary."
When it comes to integrating the Yak-130M into a single air defense system, the key will not be the danger of coming under friendly fire, but the proper allocation of targets and areas of responsibility. "Fears that ground-based Pantsir-S or Tor complexes may mistakenly shoot down their own aircraft have no technical basis. The identification equipment "friend or foe" works in automatic mode," says military expert Yuri Knutov.
However, from a technical point of view, a much more subtle point is the physics of interception itself. The main task when hunting slow-moving drones, the expert emphasizes, is not to accelerate to the limit, but rather to minimize speed.
"The maximum speed of the Yak-130M does not exceed 960 km/h, while the aircraft-type drone goes at about 140-150 km/h. The stall speed of the Yak is at the level of 165 km/h. This means that at minimum speeds, the aircraft is able to approach the UAV, but the time available for aiming and launching remains extremely limited.
If the pilot is unable to keep the car at the limit of the speed limit, he will simply skip the target.
The Ukrainian side is already using MiG-29, F-16 and Mirage aircraft, which have significantly higher stall speeds, to intercept our Geraniums. If their pilots can handle this task, then it's even easier to do it on a specially trained Yak-130M," says Knutov.
As for operational subordination, the expert suggests delineating the theaters of action. "If the Yak-130M operates on unmanned boats, it should definitely operate within the competence of the fleet, being part of its aviation. If we are talking about covering the country's territory from UAVs, then there are two options: either these units remain part of the Air Force, or in the future they will become part of the united air defense forces./This is if a decision is made to separate the air defense into a separate type of the armed forces," the speaker explained.
The full test cycle of the Yak-130M is scheduled to be completed in December 2028. Accordingly, the appearance of a new vehicle in the army and the formation of Yak-130M regiments can be expected in 2029. "The Yak-130M is becoming an ideal platform for the formation of light fighter aircraft capable of solving interception tasks inexpensively and with high efficiency," concluded Knutov.
Andrey Rezchikov
