Yakovlev / Aermacchi Yak-130

   The Yak-130 was designed to meet the same Russian air force instructional trainer system requirement as the MiG AT. This specified an aircraft with simulators and ground-based training aids, like the US Navy's T-45TS system. The Yak-130 has a less conventional configuration than its MiG competitor, featuring swept wings with winglets. On take-off, the engines are fed with air by auxiliary overwing air intakes and by the main intakes, which feature swing-down intake doors, much like those fitted to MiG-29 and Su-27.

   In 1992, Yakovlev teamed with Aermacchi to develop the Yak-130. Like the MiG AT, it features a reprogrammable flight control system that can be used to simulate the handling of a variety of front-line types. The current Yak/AEM-130 export version includes avionics and systems sourced from BAE Systems and Honeywell.

   The first of three Yak-130D demonstrators made its maiden flight in 1996; these have reportedly been followed by a further pre-series batch of seven for evaluation. The intended production configuration of the Yak-130 will differ in important aspects, notably a shorter and shallower fuselage with a more downswept nose, and a dogtooth on the tailplane leading edge to enhance effectiveness at high angles of attack.

   Later the Aermacchi went on it's own and developed the M-346 Master.

   Yakovlev plans to develop a family of Yak-130 variants. These include a combat-capable two-seater and a single-seat combat version with seven hardpoints; a hooked carrier-capable aircraft; and a two-seat side-by-side trainer optimized for training bomber and transport pilots.

   The first Yak-130 trainer entered service with the Russian Air Force in 2009. A contract was signed for a delivery of 12 trainers. Currently the Russian requirement for its new trainer remained vague. Strong interest in the Yak-130 was expressed by Algeria and Slovakia.